Although Holly Cruikshank has been seen in various theater productions, she is popularly known as one of the members of The Honey Bees, the house dancers of NBC's primetime game show, The Singing Bee.

Originally from Fountain Hills, Arizona, Cruikshank went to New York after being told she was too tall for ballet and decided to bring her dance expertise in Broadway.  After a series of musicals, she got an audition with The Singing Bee and the rest is history.

“I got a call from my agent that there was a new variety game show called The Singing Bee,” she recounted. “They wanted girls 5'8-6' with strong dance technique.  I thought wow this is perfect! I have always been told I am too tall!  Until I got to the audition and realized so did several hundred other girls.  Scott Grossman our choreographer taught us four combinations of different styles. We performed those four at time.  Then about 30 girls were called back.  This was the nerve-racking part!  All the producers and creative team from NBC were there.  It is definitely a strange feeling. You feel so vulnerable, basically they are judging how you look and dance… constantly wonder to my self - why do I put myself through this for a living?  But when you do get the part, like I did this job, it is all worth it!”

Though being on the show is a lot of fun, Cruikshank also admits that filming the show is quite demanding.

“We did nine episodes in three days! But it is so much fun and so interesting watching how it all comes together.  Each episode will take two to five hours to film so there is a lot of waiting time.  I just remember how my feet hurt at the end of a 17-hour day of being in dance heels.  Actually one of my toes is still a little numb.  The days are long but I am not complaining,” she said.

Hosted by Joey Fatone, and featuring the house band, The Grove, along with The Honey Bees, The Singing Bee is a competition that merges a spelling bee-style contest and karaoke singing.  Unlike other talent shows, the program puts to the test the musical knowledge of contestants as they try to remember the lyrics to popular songs for a chance to win $50,000.

For Cruikshank, part of the success of The Singing Bee is the Honey Bee.

“Dance always adds to anything!  Since this is a variety game show with a live band and live singers it just makes sense to have dancers.  I think it adds some excitement and movement.  I am so excited that they are bringing dance back to TV,” she added.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: NBC
(Image courtesy of NBC)