Janette Manrara joins Top 20 on FOX‘s summer hit show “So You Think You Can Dance.”
By Sissi Aguila
FIU finance major Janette Manrara, 25, passed the auditions and is now sweating it out on FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” At stake are a $250,000 prize and the title of America’s Favorite Dancer.
Manrara, who grew up listening to Michael Jackson, Donna Summer and lots of Salsa music, credits her family for her love of dance. “I loved watching how much fun my parents and family would have dancing at parties, she says. “Dancing and music always made their worries and problems go away for a while and allowed them to just have a great time.”
She began performing in musical theater at age 12 and started her formal dance training at 19, studying ballroom, ballet, pointe, jazz and hip hop.
The Hialeah-native was one of thousands of dancers from around the country who auditioned for the show’s fifth season. She and 19 others – a total of 10 men and 10 women – were selected finalists.
The Top 20 are paired into 10 couples who each work with a world-renowned choreographer to compose a dance routine representing their assigned genre.
To keep the nerves at bay, Manrara says she tries not to think about the millions of people who watch the show. “If I concentrate on my dancing and what I need to do to perform what the choreographers are asking for, it keeps my mind busy rather than focusing on being on an international TV show,” she says.
The dancers schedule on the show is hectic. “We live in the CBS studios Monday through Thursday,” says Manrara of the 12-hour days and weekends learning duets. “I miss being away from my family. But at the time it fuels me to keep going and working hard to make them and everyone in Miami proud.”
To fellow Golden Panthers who have a dream of dancing professionally, Manrara says, “Persevere!
“Dancers have it really tough! We put our bodies and mind through so much. But if you love this art and you stay strong and determined, you will achieve your dream.”
The blue-and gold community can support Manrara by watching “So You Think You Can Dance” and voting for her. The show airs on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on FOX.
Update (July 14): Manrara is now part of the Top 10 on “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Janette is a truly amazing person. I have had the pleasure of knowing her and if you think her dancing is so amazing wait till you get to interact with her as a person. She truly embodies the greatness of an FIU GOLDEN PANTHER!
Travis L. Stokes
FIU Alumni '09
First We would like to thank Sissi Aguila and everybody involved at FIU for writing this wonderfull article about our Daughter Janette Manrara, We deeply appreciated.
As Janette's Parents We would like to thank all of those who have helped her get this far into the show and to those who will continue to do so in the future. Janette has been a great inspiration for hundreds of younger dancers at the Dance Studio where she teaches as well as to her brother Alejandro and her little sister Lesly who is 12 years old and following in her footsteps. Janette's family and friends are very proud of her achivements in the arts of dance and acting and know that she will make us all very proud as she puts her heart and soul in everything that she does. Janette will finish her mayor in finance next year at this institution (FIU) another milestone that makes us all very poud as it will be achived with inumarable sacrifices along the way.
Please, Don't forget to support Janette by watching SYTYCD every Wednesday on FOX at 8:PM and vote for her as many times as you like to the toll free telephone number provided at the end of each show.
Again, Thank you all for your support and may Janette let FIU and MIAMI share the pride that her family and friends have felt for her for so many years. WE LOVE YOU JANETTE.
My name is Carlos Fernandez and I'm very proud of being a friend of the family of Jannete Manrara, she is in deed a great dancer, all my family wash the show every wensday at 8:00 pm, keep up the good work Lius and Maritza, urra
I'm so happy to see Jeanette succeed at her dreams! Since our dance training together I haven't ever had a doubt about her talent, strength, and dedication! Go girl!
GiGi
Congrats! I'm so happy for you, me and my family watch the show just to see how you are doing 🙂 I hope all goes well!
Yulet
Fiu- Class of 2009!
Go Golden Panthers
Congratulations Janette!! I remember you from high school coming up with choreography and dancing in Ms. Latshaw's shows!!!
Rock the stage and show them what MIAMI is all about!!
I am soooo happy to see Janette dancing on SYTYCD. She has a beautiful, loving and supportive family who stand behind her 100% and a younger sister (Leslie) who I remember seeing put on a Britany Spears performance which was "mind blowing" in her uncle's living room when she was only about 5 years old. I know she is following in her big sisters footsteps and is super proud of her as well. I wish Janette the best of luck and I so look forward to watching her dance on a weekly basis. I feel both she and Brandon put on a phenomenal "cha cha" dance in tonights episode and my hats go off to both of them. They have definitely put Miami on the radar and we are so proud of them!!!!
Janet this is Maydyta, good luck in this competition, i know you can win, go get it, you are the best
I'm so happy to see a fellow golden panther on the show. I can honestly say…So You Think You Can Dance is one of my favorite shows and Janette is doing an absolute amazing job. All of her performances have been outstanding and I hope everyone continues voting for her and supporting her every week…I know I am! : )
WATCH PARTY TONIGHT AT THE GC PIT AT 7:30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!