Shane Sparks
Encyclopedia
Shane Sparks is an award-winning hip-hop choreographer best known for his work as a choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance
and judge on America's Best Dance Crew
. He won an American Choreography Award for his work as co-choreographer on 2004 film You Got Served
. He also has been nominated for an Emmy Award
for Outstanding Choreography
for his work on season three
of So You Think You Can Dance.
Known for his passion towards dance, Shane puts his heart into every dance step and that has translated into some of the most memorable dance performances of the last decade earning Shane a worldwide following of devoted fans and a spot on two of the most popular dance shows on television. Currently, Shane continues to star as a judge on the hit MTV series “Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew,” executive produced by the “American Idol” judge which is starting its fourth season. Each week Shane offers the dance crews his encouragement, constructive criticism and wealth of experience as viewers get to vote for their favorite dance crew. Shane is also seen choreographing the contestants for the 5th season in a row on the hit FOX TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” where viewers tune in to see his signature moves and America votes for their favorite dancer.
Shane’s choreography can also be seen in the box office smash “You Got Served” which earned him the “2005 BET Award” for co-choreographing with Omarion and the 2004 American Choreography Award for “Best Choreography in a Feature Film.” In addition to choreographing videos, live performances and special events for some of today’s most successful artists, he also helped to judge the 2004 World Hip Hop Championship and has choreographed promos for ESPN, Nationwide Urban Jams Dance Convention and “The Steve Harvey Big Time Show.” During the summer of 2007, Shane was involved with Secret Deodorant’s national “Because You’re Hot” campaign with Jennifer Lopez searching for the hottest young female dance who got to star in a new J-Lo music video.
Due to Shane’s impressive body of work, he has been part of an all-star line up of the country’s leading choreographers in a seven-city national tour called “The Pulse.” The two-day jazz and hip hop dance workshop hosted by Broadway Dance Center NY featured a line-up of the dance world’s most esteemed choreographers including: Brian Friedman, Mia Michaels, Cris Judd, Laurie Ann Gibson, Wade Robson and of course, Shane.
Shane is also in the process of developing and producing a choreography-based reality TV show, his own dancewear, athletic wear and sneaker brands and a hot new video game. This summer Shane is set to choreograph the new Disney film “The Jump Off,” and in the fall Shane will be choreographing the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls” bringing his flavor to the stage and to theatergoers around the world.hich is scheduled to begin shooting in July 2007.
(http://shanesparks.com/about/)
On March 11, 2010, Shane Sparks pleaded not guilty to eight sex-related counts of child molestation. Sparks entered his not guilty plea during a hearing in Van Nuys. He was due back in court on April 20 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence in the case for him to stand trial.
On August 16, 2011, Shane Sparks pleaded no contest to a single felony count of having unlawful sex with a minor under 16. Under a plea deal approved by LA County Superior Court Judge Martin Herscovitz, the other counts were dismissed. He was sentenced to 270 days in the county jail and five years of probation. He will also attend 52 sessions of sex-offender counseling and not go near any female minors without an adult present.
came to audition. Though his range of movement was extremely limited, he managed an impressive robotic routine to Christina Aguilera
's "Ain't No Other Man
" that astonished and impressed all of the judges, especially Sparks. Gaynor did not have enough dancing skill to continue past that day of the auditions but Sparks gave him a soft rejection by simultaneously offering him a job as a featured dancer in the upcoming film Backdown that Sparks will be choreographing. According to TV Guide
, Gaynor accepted the role.
from seasons 1–4. He did not return to judge for the fifth season due to his arrest. Singer Omarion
replaced Sparks during Season 5. In Season 6, D-Trix from Quest crew replaced Omarion after season 5 so Omarion will focus on his music career. It is not confirmed whether or not he will continue to judge later seasons as well, or if Sparks will return.
So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)
So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
and judge on America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew, often abbreviated as ABDC, is an American competitive dance reality television series that features street dance crews from the United States and around the world. It is produced by American Idol judge Randy Jackson and airs on MTV...
. He won an American Choreography Award for his work as co-choreographer on 2004 film You Got Served
You Got Served
You Got Served is a film written and directed by Chris Stokes, manager of its stars, recording artist Omarion, Marques Houston and the members of boy band B2K. The plot concerns a group of dancers, who take part in a street dancing competition...
. He also has been nominated for an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for Outstanding Choreography
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
This is a list of winners of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography.-Award winners:1950s* 1955 June Taylor – The Jackie Gleason Show* 1956 Tony Charmoli – Your Hit Parade* 1959 Hermes Pan – An Evening with Fred Astaire1970s...
for his work on season three
So You Think You Can Dance (Season 3)
So You Think You Can Dance is an American television reality program and dance competition airing on the Fox network. Season three premiered May 24, 2007....
of So You Think You Can Dance.
Biography
Shane Sparks is a dance icon and revolutionary choreographer recognized across the globe for his talent, determination, passion and contribution to the world of dance. Shane’s star continues to rise as he presents his signature style of dance to the world through many creative and interactive mediums. In fact, as one of the most talented and sought after choreographers working in the entertainment industry today, Shane Sparks is internationally known for his groundbreaking choreography which has made him a favorite choreographer to chart topping recording artists such as *NSYNC, Lindsay Lohan, Omarion, and Marques Houston.Known for his passion towards dance, Shane puts his heart into every dance step and that has translated into some of the most memorable dance performances of the last decade earning Shane a worldwide following of devoted fans and a spot on two of the most popular dance shows on television. Currently, Shane continues to star as a judge on the hit MTV series “Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew,” executive produced by the “American Idol” judge which is starting its fourth season. Each week Shane offers the dance crews his encouragement, constructive criticism and wealth of experience as viewers get to vote for their favorite dance crew. Shane is also seen choreographing the contestants for the 5th season in a row on the hit FOX TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” where viewers tune in to see his signature moves and America votes for their favorite dancer.
Shane’s choreography can also be seen in the box office smash “You Got Served” which earned him the “2005 BET Award” for co-choreographing with Omarion and the 2004 American Choreography Award for “Best Choreography in a Feature Film.” In addition to choreographing videos, live performances and special events for some of today’s most successful artists, he also helped to judge the 2004 World Hip Hop Championship and has choreographed promos for ESPN, Nationwide Urban Jams Dance Convention and “The Steve Harvey Big Time Show.” During the summer of 2007, Shane was involved with Secret Deodorant’s national “Because You’re Hot” campaign with Jennifer Lopez searching for the hottest young female dance who got to star in a new J-Lo music video.
Due to Shane’s impressive body of work, he has been part of an all-star line up of the country’s leading choreographers in a seven-city national tour called “The Pulse.” The two-day jazz and hip hop dance workshop hosted by Broadway Dance Center NY featured a line-up of the dance world’s most esteemed choreographers including: Brian Friedman, Mia Michaels, Cris Judd, Laurie Ann Gibson, Wade Robson and of course, Shane.
Shane is also in the process of developing and producing a choreography-based reality TV show, his own dancewear, athletic wear and sneaker brands and a hot new video game. This summer Shane is set to choreograph the new Disney film “The Jump Off,” and in the fall Shane will be choreographing the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls” bringing his flavor to the stage and to theatergoers around the world.hich is scheduled to begin shooting in July 2007.
(http://shanesparks.com/about/)
Child molestation charges
On December 18, 2009, Shane was arrested on felony charges of child molestation. He was charged with six counts of a lewd act on a child and two counts of oral copulation of a person under 16. An attorney for Sparks said his client had been unfairly accused of child molestation, noting that the allegations did not surface until after Sparks became famous as a judge on "America's Best Dance Crew." Attorney Steve Meister said the case "stinks to high heaven" because Sparks' accuser waited 15 years to come forward. He called the claims "extortion, Hollywood-style." Meister says Sparks is innocent and "will fight to clear his name." Sparks is said to have been at least 10 years older than the alleged victim. Sparks was arrested in December 2009 at his North Hollywood home and brought to a Van Nuys, Calif., jail, held on $590,000 bail, LAPD spokesman, Keisha Shaw, told TVGuide.com. French also added that Sparks was the "subject of an ongoing child molestation investigation." Los Angeles police investigators said the choreographer committed multiple lewd acts upon a child, starting in 1994. Police identified the victim as a girl who was under 14 years old when the incidents began Sparks was released from jail on December 19, 2009 at 9:57PM.On March 11, 2010, Shane Sparks pleaded not guilty to eight sex-related counts of child molestation. Sparks entered his not guilty plea during a hearing in Van Nuys. He was due back in court on April 20 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence in the case for him to stand trial.
On August 16, 2011, Shane Sparks pleaded no contest to a single felony count of having unlawful sex with a minor under 16. Under a plea deal approved by LA County Superior Court Judge Martin Herscovitz, the other counts were dismissed. He was sentenced to 270 days in the county jail and five years of probation. He will also attend 52 sessions of sex-offender counseling and not go near any female minors without an adult present.
So You Think You Can Dance
Sparks is best known for being one of the judges and choreographers on the reality dance competition So You Think You Can Dance. Sparks has been one of the hip-hop choreographers since season one in 2005. He started judging during season three in 2007. One of the touching moments during the 2007 auditions was when Bryan Gaynor, a computer science student whose spine was twisted with scoliosisScoliosis
Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spine is curved from side to side. Although it is a complex three-dimensional deformity, on an X-ray, viewed from the rear, the spine of an individual with scoliosis may look more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line...
came to audition. Though his range of movement was extremely limited, he managed an impressive robotic routine to Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
's "Ain't No Other Man
Ain't No Other Man
"Ain't No Other Man" is a song written by Christina Aguilera, Charles Roane, DJ Premier, Harold Beatty, and Kara DioGuardi for Aguilera's third studio album Back to Basics...
" that astonished and impressed all of the judges, especially Sparks. Gaynor did not have enough dancing skill to continue past that day of the auditions but Sparks gave him a soft rejection by simultaneously offering him a job as a featured dancer in the upcoming film Backdown that Sparks will be choreographing. According to TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
, Gaynor accepted the role.
- Favorite routines for So You Think You Can Dance:
- Season 1So You Think You Can Dance (Season 1)So You Think You Can Dance, also known as SYTYCD is a United States television reality program and dance competition airing on the Fox Broadcasting Company network. Season one premiered on July 20, 2005 with Lauren Sánchez as host, Nigel Lythgoe as the main judge, and Mary Murphy, Dan Karaty, Mia...
:- Destini and JamileJamile McGeeJamile McGee is an African American b-boy and hip hop dancer. He is also known by his dancing name 'Jamz'. Jamile performed on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance. Jamile dances to various style of music...
's hip hop routine to "ShakeShake (Ying Yang Twins song)"Shake" is the third single from the Ying Yang Twins album, U.S.A. . It features the rapper Pitbull. The song contains a sample of "Din Daa Daa" by George Kranz....
" by Ying Yang TwinsYing Yang TwinsThe Ying Yang Twins is an Atlanta-based American crunk rap duo consisting of Kaine and D-Roc . The group debuted in 2000 and rose to mainstream popularity in 2003 collaborating with Lil Jon in his single "Get Low"...
featuring PitbullPitbull (rapper)Armando Christian Pérez , better known by his stage name Pitbull, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. His first recorded performance was from the Lil Jon album Kings of Crunk in 2002, after which he released his debut album in 2004 titled M.I.A.M.I. under TVT Records...
was Jamile McGeeJamile McGeeJamile McGee is an African American b-boy and hip hop dancer. He is also known by his dancing name 'Jamz'. Jamile performed on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance. Jamile dances to various style of music...
's (3rd place) favorite routine of the season.
- Destini and Jamile
- Season 2So You Think You Can Dance (Season 2)The second season of So You Think You Can Dance premiered May 25, 2006, with new host Cat Deeley.On August 16, Benji Schwimmer was announced as the winner of season 2 and received the grand prize of $100,000, a new hybrid SUV, and a one year contract with Celine Dion's Las Vegas show, A New...
:- BenjiBenji SchwimmerBenjamin "Benji" Daniel Schwimmer is an American professional dancer, choreographer, actor, and soon-to-be lead singer of the band "The Weekend Forecast". On August 16, 2006 he was crowned "America's Favorite Dancer", as the winner of the second season of So You Think You Can Dance and has...
and TravisTravis WallTravis Michael Wall , an American dancer and dance instructor specializing in contemporary dance and jazz dance. He is best known for his 2006 appearance as a competitor on the second season of the television show So You Think You Can Dance, which airs on the Fox Network. As of 2009, he is...
' geek hip-hop routine to "Gyrate" by Da Muzicianz featuring Mr. ColliparkMr. ColliparkMichael Crooms, better known by his stage name Mr. Collipark and also known as DJ Smurf, is a hip hop producer and the president of his own Atlanta-based record label, Collipark Records....
was chosen by choreographer Dan KaratyDan KaratyDaniel Quinten Karaty , an American TV personality, producer, dancer and choreographer. He has performed with and/or created routines for pop superstars such as Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, and *NSYNC...
as his favorite routine of the season.
- Benji
- Season 3So You Think You Can Dance (Season 3)So You Think You Can Dance is an American television reality program and dance competition airing on the Fox network. Season three premiered May 24, 2007....
:- Lauren and PashaPasha KovalevPavel Kovalev is a professional Latin and ballroom dancer. Born and raised in Siberia, Pasha Kovalev started dancing at age eight...
's Transformer routine to "Fuego" by PitbullPitbull (rapper)Armando Christian Pérez , better known by his stage name Pitbull, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. His first recorded performance was from the Lil Jon album Kings of Crunk in 2002, after which he released his debut album in 2004 titled M.I.A.M.I. under TVT Records...
was chosen by judge Mary MurphyMary Murphy (choreographer)Mary Ann Murphy is a ballroom dance champion, accredited dance judge, and a judge and choreographer on the Fox dance competition-reality show So You Think You Can Dance.-Biography:...
as her favorite routine of the season. - SabraSabra JohnsonSabra Elise Johnson is a dancer from Roy, Utah and the Season 3 Champion of the Fox reality television show So You Think You Can Dance.She was born in the Netherlands, lived nine years in Germany, and after that, nine years in Utah...
and Dominic's slow hip-hop routine to "Make It Work" by Ne-YoNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
was chosen by ballroom choreographer Jean-Marc GénéreuxJean-Marc Genereux-Biography:Généreux met his partner and wife, France Mousseau, while ballroom dancing in Quebec, Canada. They competed successfully as amateurs starting in 1977, and then professionally in 1986, in the Latin and 10-dance dancesport divisions, and retired in 1998....
as his favorite routine of the season.
- Lauren and Pasha
- Season 1
America's Best Dance Crew
Sparks was a judge on MTV's dance competition reality show America's Best Dance CrewAmerica's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew, often abbreviated as ABDC, is an American competitive dance reality television series that features street dance crews from the United States and around the world. It is produced by American Idol judge Randy Jackson and airs on MTV...
from seasons 1–4. He did not return to judge for the fifth season due to his arrest. Singer Omarion
Omarion
Omari Ishmael Grandberry better known as Omarion, is an American R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and former lead singer of the R&B group, B2K. Omarion was spotted at a young age by a manager, Christopher B. Stokes, who took a liking to his vocal abilities...
replaced Sparks during Season 5. In Season 6, D-Trix from Quest crew replaced Omarion after season 5 so Omarion will focus on his music career. It is not confirmed whether or not he will continue to judge later seasons as well, or if Sparks will return.
External links
- Choreography reel at ClearTalentGroup.com
- Shane Sparks interview at LAist.com