Birthdate:July 26, 1989
Birthplace: Miami, Florida
Brandon Bryant proved to America that he’s got the moves when he landed the runner-up position on Season Five of So You Think You Can Dance. Check out Kidzworld’s biography on this hardworking and charismatic dancer.
Baby Steps
Brandon has been passionate about dance his whole life. At the age of ten he began his venture into the world of dance with ballet lessons. As he’s grown Brandon has sharpened his dancing skills, studying hip hop and specializing in contemporary. He attended Miami Dade College where he had a stint with the college’s Jubilation Dance Ensemble. He now lives in Salt Lake City where he’s a member of the professional dance company, Odyssey Dance Theatre.
Ain't Nothin' But A Number
Before wowing the SYTUCD judges on Season Five, Brandon tried out for season one. Unfortunately the minimum age requirement for a contestant is eighteen—Brandon was only fifteen. Brandon got the boot once the producers realized he was underage. But Brandon was persistent—he made it on to Season Four, but his dancing wasn’t up to par yet and he didn’t crack the final 20.
Dividing Dancer
Audiences loved Brandon’s smooth moves and winning smile—he always seemed to be enjoying himself on stage—but the judges were divided from the start. Debbie Murphy was a fan straight away and Mary Murphy was reduced to tears during Brandon’s first audition at the Orpheum in New York, but Lil’ C and Mia Michaels took some convincing. It was only after multiple weeks that they came around. In the end Brandon won over his haters, but still lost out to Jeanine Mason. Brandon was a gracious loser, though: “I did for a split second think that I could have a chance,” he said. “But I knew Jeanine was strong. This time was for he reach, not mine.”
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