FIU student dances into national spotlight


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.Janette Manrara; Manrara with partner Brandon Bryant

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.”

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