Fil-Am Bailey Muñoz wins grand prize in ‘So You Think You Can Dance’
Filipino-American dancer Bailey “Bailrok” Muñoz bagged the top prize for dance reality show “So You Think You Can Dance” on its 16th season. The grand prize includes $250,000 (P13 million).
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The show began airing on Fox in June and the live finale was televised on Monday, Sept. 16.
Muñoz admitted in a red-carpet interview with Hollywood Junket that he was not aware there was a cash prize when he entered the show. He said, “I thought you just won ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and that was the biggest honor. For me to be standing here, it just means the world.”
Muñoz said during the same interview that he was the first B-boy to win the rigorous competition, which puts dancers through various dance styles and choreography each week. “B-boy” or “B-girl” refers to those who practice breakdancing in the hip-hop community.
At only 19, Muñoz shone during the show as he performed in genres ranging from contemporary to jazz—styles vastly different from breakdancing.
The Las Vegas native has been dancing since his childhood, and early on received recognition when he reached the semi-finals of “America’s Got Talent” when he was 9 years old.
Muñoz previously performed on “Dancing with the Stars,” as per Las Vegas Weekly in a report on Sept. 9. His other credentials include tours with Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber.
He is also one of the youngest members of American hip-hop group Rock Steady Crew in Las Vegas.
Filipinos have been standouts on the show over the years. One of the judges this season is a Fil-Am B-boy and a former contestant himself—Dominic Sandoval a.k.a. D-Trix. Last year, Hannahlei Cabanilla was named the season 15 winner of the show. Niña V. Guno /ra
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