Days after Russell Ferguson won So You Think You Can Dance on one leg his Cheshire Cat grin is still fresh in my mind.
Russell is from Roxbury, Massachusetts, a high crime urban area that the City of Boston's governmental web page refers to as "the heart of black culture in Boston." He was the first krumper ever to compete on So You Think You Can Dance, but he won having only danced in his natural style once on the series.
Russell was a dedicated student, who combined a natural aptitude with optimism and hard work to grow far beyond his apparent potential. His win was touching evidence to kids and adults alike that even without expensive lessons, maybe you really can be anything you want to be.
The newly minted champion limped into the press room minutes after the competition looking like a prize fighter who had just won the fight of his life. He was well protected by So You Think You Can Dance's handlers, who didn't want him to exert himself. But I did get a few moments to ask him about God, his best friend, his leg and what this ending means.
What do you think it was that brought you to the victory?
God. Honestly. It was God that brought me to victory because I see what my faith is riding on. I have total faith in God. Him being there for me through my whole life, just speaking to me and keeping me calm, has made me - [Russell puts his hands to his temples and raises them to the sky] Wow.
Right, and I think one of the things that really translates is that you won. Biggest moment of your dancing career so far. And you called up Kevin. What was that about?
I felt like he deserved to share that moment with me because me and Kevin have been like 'this' [two fingers intertwined] the whole time, since Vegas. We've talked and said, "Hey, we're going to do this together regardless. And when I win - or if you win - you will be on that stage with me." He was the main person I could really take to [in terms of] expressing myself, so he deserved to be up there.
How is the leg?
It's sore. It is sore. It's a little numb right now, but it's good. I'm living. I'm breathing. I'm standing. They didn't clear me to dance, which is why I couldn't perform tonight, but I would have done it broken leg and all.
Was this the perfect storybook ending, you vs. Jakob? The classically trained dancer vs. the guy with no training?
Oh, yes!
-Interview conducted by Henry Jenkins