True Life: I Was at the "So You Think You Can Dance" Finale

Our winner, Kathryn Thies (left), and her friend Samantha Simmons on the red carpet before the “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 10 finale. (courtesy Kathryn Thies)

Thousands of you entered our sweepstakes to win an all-expenses paid trip to the “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 10 finale. And while we wish we could’ve sent you all, we had to choose just one winner and randomly selected Kathryn Thies. (Lucky girl!)

We caught up with Kathryn to hear all about her trip of a lifetime.

Dance Spirit: What was your reaction when you learned you’d won a trip to the finale?

Kathryn Thies: Disbelief. And then super excitement. It still didn’t feel real a week later. I don’t think it actually really hit me until the day before the trip.

DS: Who did you bring as your guest?

KT:
I brought my friend Samantha, who I’ve been friends with since high school. Her place used to be the midway point on a long drive I made on a regular basis. I always used to stop for the night and we usually ended up watching “SYTYCD.” I was super excited to share the trip with her!

DS: What was your favorite part of the trip?

KT:
I felt so lucky and spoiled this trip! I tried a lot of awesome new food, learned a lot and laughed a lot.

 

DS: What was the most unexpected part of the trip?

KT:
We got to sit front row at the finale!

Reserved parking for Nappytabs!

DS: Do you have a favorite memory from the night?

KT:
There was such a talented group of dancers this season. Seeing them perform in person was even cooler than watching them on TV.  At the end, seeing Allison and tWitch together made my heart melt! And seeing the choreographers pride in the dancers after the taping stopped was awesome, too.

DS: What was it like watching the show live vs. on TV?

KT:
We were front row, so you could see every little detail and every movement. Somehow, it’s just all more exciting in person! I also got a thumbs up from my favorite dancer (I went a little fan-girl and shouted his name as he left stage, so he turned and gave me a thumbs up).

Kathryn visiting Ginger Rogers star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

 

 

DS: After watching the live performances, which dancer is your favorite?

KT:
Aaron and Jasmine have been my favorites from the very beginning. I think all four finalists were awesome in different ways, but Jasmine’s grace blows me away and Aaron’s ability to master all of the genres made them my favorites.