LaTonya Swann (born February 4, 1991) is an American dancer, choreographer, print model, philanthropist, and the first winner of BET's Born to Dance (TV series): Laurieann Gibson.
Life and career
LaTonya Swann was raised in District Heights, Maryland and graduated from Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School in 2009. She was a member of the Jr Washington Redskins All Star Dance Team, and Capitol Movement Faculty and Alumni, training in hip hop, jazz, ballet, and contemporary. After winning the $50,000 prize on Born to Dance in 2011 Swann moved to Los Angeles and working bicoastally, opened a large scale dance studio in Capitol Heights, Maryland which shares the name of her "Seize The Dance" chest tattoo. Swann has worked as a dancer and/or actress with Lady Gaga, Dawn Richard, Cassie, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Lil Mama, Aloe Blacc, Beyoncé, Cher Lloyd, Avenged Sevenfold, Memphis May Fire, Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Tinie Tempah, Jonas Åkerlund, Gil Green, Colin Tilley, Rich Lee, Joe Dante, Matt Alonzo, Jon Jon Augustavo, Melina Matsoukas, and So Me. She has worked as a choreographer on television, tours, music videos, and stage plays including 106 and Park, WDCW and Royal The Stage Play written and directed by Chris Clanton. She has been a celebrity judge and instructor for University of Wisconsin–Madison Move If You Want It Dance Competition, and celebrity guest instructor for Get Kids Movin National Kids Fitness Convention.
Born To Dance
Swann first appeared on the debut of Born To Dance: Laurieann Gibson August 2, 2011 at 10pm ET bringing in 1.2 million viewers. The show was produced by Laurieann Gibson and The Ted & Perry Company and included an appearance of Lady Gaga with her Monster Ball Tour Performance being the final show challenge.
"Born to dance" episodes
SeasonWeekDancersChallengeDescriptionEpisode titleBorn to Dance (season 1)1Top 20Casting"Aspiring dancers vie for top honors and a $50,000 prize in this reality-competition series starring celebrity choreographer Laurieann Gibson. First up: Laurieann and her team preside over open casting calls for female dancers."The Search Begins2Top 17Essentials of Dance"Laurieann teaches the essentials of dance to her charges, zeroing in on ballet, hip-hop and jazz. Elsewhere, the dancers cook up dinner plans for their tutor, but the heat is on when they make a big mistake."Triple Threat3Top 12Music Video"Laurieann offers a course on the essentials of music videos, after which the dancers take part in a video shoot. Meanwhile, family problems impact one contestant."Designing Dancers4Top 10The Mo'Nique Show"The dancers take to the stage to perform before an audience at "The Mo'Nique Show," yet a division surfaces when one contestant withdraws from the others."The Reckless Necklace5Top 8Commercials"The dancers shoot a commercial for a vacuum cleaner, but some of them don't hold the assignment in high regard, raising Laurieann's ire."Suck It Up6Top 8Partnering"Laurieann's favorite male dancers arrive at the studio, resulting in the lady contestants gaining a partner on the dance floor—and off it as well."Boys Boys Boys7Top 6Lady gaga auditions and head shots "The dancers try to kick up their careers by auditioning for a Lady Gaga show. They receive makeovers and take head shots, but one contender spirals downward when she's unhappy with her look."Born To Glam8 (Finale)Top 3 Lady Gaga Performance"In the Season 1 finale, the contestants perform with songstress Lady Gaga, after which the winning dancer is named."The Monster Ball
Career credits
Television
2010: So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. season 7) - Vegas Week Contestant; Adechike Ballroom Partner 2011: 106 & Park - Guest with Laurieann Gibson & Born To Dance Top 3 2011: The Mo'Nique Show - Guest Dancer 2011: Born to Dance (TV series) - Contestant; Winner 2011: Shakira Latin Grammy Awards of 2011 Performance - Dancer 2012: Shake It Up (season 3) - Spirit Squad Member 2013: WDCW Young & The Throne (QC Show Segment) - Actress, "Imani" 2013: WDCW Queen Charis Show - Choreographer 2013: The Graham Norton Show - Dancer, Lady Gaga "Venus" Performance 2013: The X Factor (UK TV series) - Dancer, Lady Gaga "Venus" Performance
Film
2014 : Warriors Fan Trailer (Ram Bhat) - Principle, Lizzies
Choreography and appearances
2003-2008: Capitol Movement Annual Dance Concert DC - Dancer, Choreographer 2012: Cassie "King of Hearts" Performance 106 & Park - Assistant Choreographer, Dancer 2013: Get Kids Movin Fitness Convention - Guest Instructor 2013: University of Wisconsin–Madison Move If You Want It Competition - Celebrity Judge & Instructor 2014: Royal The Stage Play (Chris Clanton) - Choreographer
References
External links