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published: Friday, December 25, 2009
Yes, he can dance
Jakob Karr takes second in Fox's reality series
ROXANNE BROWN
Staff Writer
CLERMONT -- After months of grueling rehearsals and competition, Jakob Karr, 19, earned the number two spot in FOX TV's "So You Think You Can Dance," show.
Russell Ferguson was named America's favorite dancer based on viewer's votes, but week after week, all three of the show's judges openly proclaimed Karr was the best dancer they'd ever seen.
During the final day of competition, judge Adam Shankman told Jakob that he feels God put him on this earth "to spread the gospel of dance."
Karr, his family, friends and instructor from Clermont's Shooting Stars Dance Studio, are confident he'll go far.
"We're really thrilled for him. He made a lot of connections and it was just a great platform for him," Jakob's mother, Tami Karr, said.
"I would've loved it if he would have won, but we're very, very proud of him and what he accomplished.
"Jakob was the best dancer, I don't doubt that. But it was America's pick, and Russell was very likable."
Karr auditioned for the show's sixth season in New Orleans on June 19.
Prior to that, the Windermere contemporary dancer studied at Shooting Stars in Clermont for nine years before being accepted to the Alvin Ailey Dance School, then Fordham University in New York last year.
According to Tami Karr, her son was happy with the results, had no hard feelings and said he feels Ferguson deserved the win.
When Ferguson was announced as the winner on the show's finale Dec. 16, Jakob Karr smiled a huge smile and gave Ferguson a congratulatory hug.
Tami Karr said her son is very grateful to have been part of the show and will cherish the experience of learning from some of the best choreographers in the world.
Jakob Karr arrived in Los Angeles on Oct. 11 and has been rehearsing since then from about 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
His mother said she didn't see much of him during the last two months, but was able to have dinner with him twice a week after rehearsals. He's a little bumped and bruised, she said.
Despite that, Tami Karr said her son has made "lifelong friends" with some of the show's fellow dancers, including husband and wife team Ryan and Ashleigh Di Lello, Mollee Gray and Channing Cooke.
His Clermont instructor, Melissa Stokes, said the jobs he's being offered will certainly launch his career.
"The opportunities that have opened up for the rest of his life are incredible," Stokes said.
Tami Karr said all six of the top dancers have received offers.
Tami Karr, who had remained in Los Angeles with her son through his entire stay, was re-joined by Jakob's father, Jim, and older brother, T.J., for the finale.
After the results show, the family spent two days sightseeing in L.A. with Jakob before returning to Orlando.
"Jakob will be playing tourist. He's been in Los Angeles for two months with the show but he really needed it...to relax a little," Tami said. "As for Jakob's future, this is just the beginning."
