WATCH: Fil-Am wins ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ 2018
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-American Hannahlei Cabanilla won in the recently concluded 15th season of “So You Think You Can Dance.”
On her Instagram account, Hannahlei wrote she cannot believe she won the competition: “Being on so you think you can dance has meant everything to me.”
“I’ve been watching the show since I was a little girl, looking up to all the past winners hoping to be in their shoes one day. Last night my dream came true and I was named America’s Favorite Dancer!!” she wrote.
She also expressed her gratitude to everyone who watched and supported her through voting.
“It’s so humbling knowing I have people behind me supporting and believing in me. Thank you to everyone I got to work with this season, from the choreographers to the top 10 dancers to the producers, you have all made this experience so amazing. Thank you @jeffthacker for always knowing the right thing to say, you are truly the best. Boom,” she added.
The 18-year-old contemporary dancer bested Latin ballroom specialist Jensen Arnold, contemporary dancer Genessy Castillo, and hip-hop specialist Slavik Pustovoytov, who bagged 2nd, 3rd and 4th runner-up, respectively.
Hannahlei was consistent all season long and was never put at risk of elimination when weekly results were announced.
The Fil-Am dancer will receive $250,000 cash prize and will also be featured on the cover of Dance Spirit. She also gets a role in Fox’s upcoming live musical of “Rent.”
“So You Think You Can Dance” is an American TV dance competition created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe, also the creators of hit singing contest “American Idol.”
Vanessa Hudgens, an American actress of Filipino descent, stood as one of the season’s judges, alongside Jason Derulo and Paula Abdul, among others.
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