Interview with Stacey Tookey

[bilinkew]

Emmy nominee Stacey Tookey started dancing at the age of three, and has since made some cool things happen. For starters, she's a choreographer and judge on the Fox hit series So You Think You Can Dance, a role she assumed after choreographing for the Canadian version of the show from 2008 through 2010.

 

Prior to SYTYCD, the Edmonton, Alberta native spent five years working as a cast member in Celine Dion's spectacular show "A New Day" at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, and describes her fellow Canadian as "the best boss ever."

 

Stacey has also worked with other musical artists like Bette Midler, Michael Buble, and Justin Timberlake, who she holds the distinction of being 'slimed' with at the 2007 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards (TV).

 

As a former dancer with the Ballet British Columbia, the Fusion Dance Company, and the NBA Grizzlies' Extreme Dance Team, Stacey can now add celebrity designer to her repertoire. She has started designing clothes for Sugar & Bruno, a cool, hip line of dance/casual street-wear that is currently available on line and in select dance-wear boutiques throughout the country.

 

We recently had the chance to interview Stacey about her second season with SYTYCD, her involvement with Sugar & Bruno, and where she would ultimately like to see her talent take her. She also describes what it was really like to work with superstar Celine Dion.

 

You have worked with several artists in the past, including Bette Midler and more recently, Celine Dion during the five-year run of her show (A New Day) in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Palace. What did you take away from that experience?

 

Being involved in the Celine Dion show for its entire 5 year run in Las Vegas was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I was a part of it for the full creation and the run of the show from opening to closing with a cast of 50 amazing dancers from all over the world. Celine was the best boss ever, treated us like gold and gave us A LOT of paid vacations and crazy perks. We were taken care of so well with the best trainers,dance teachers, physical Therapy, yoga, Pilate's & massage..not to mention free haircuts and a 5 star "Wolfgang Puck" catered meal every Saturday where Celine would come around and hang out with us. She really wanted to be friends with The Artists which is rare for a celebrity of her standard. I cant say enough great things about her... I just love her ....and she's Canadian

 

What’s the most fun you’ve had up to this point?

 

Its a tie between living in NYC in my early 20's with 6 girls crammed in one apartment (talk about "poor starving artists" we sure new how to make the best out of nothing) and all the memories I have making lifelong friendships with the cast of the Celine Dion show "A New Day". They are and always will be my extended family. I love that dance can bring you so close to people.

 

See full article with photos here

[cdtb]

Being involved in the Celine Dion show for its entire 5 year run in Las Vegas was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I was a part of it for the full creation and the run of the show from opening to closing with a cast of 50 amazing dancers from all over the world. Celine was the best boss ever, treated us like gold and gave us A LOT of paid vacations and crazy perks. We were taken care of so well with the best trainers,dance teachers, physical Therapy, yoga, Pilate's & massage..not to mention free haircuts and a 5 star "Wolfgang Puck" catered meal every Saturday where Celine would come around and hang out with us. She really wanted to be friends with The Artists which is rare for a celebrity of her standard. I cant say enough great things about her... I just love her ....and she's Canadian

 

One more source saying how kind grounded and nice person Celine is...

Edited June 10, 2011 at 06:44 AM by Koolan

[Sofie]

Thanks for sharing I love how Céline wants to be friends with her crew, it's rare, sweet and wonderful, just like Céline herself.

[volleyceline]

And that my friends, is why we love her

[ferjaacu]

lol They just keep saying great things about Celine the woman, the person, the artist and the mother... I love this !! Thanks for sharing it !!

[volleyceline]

^ NOW you posted!

 

Gotta love her

[puttybuddy]

I think it's every die hard Celine fans dream to work with Celine. I know it's mine!!

[duri]

Thank you so much for sharing, so many people who worked with Céline spek of her in superlatives, there´s no doubt she is so amazing person.

[exfactor003]

it would be so amazing to work for Céline.

 

this girl is from my hometown.

Edited June 9, 2011 at 10:40 AM by exfactor003

[Samstertje]

God, how I wish to be a dancer at Céline's show.....phew...

hihi...

[sfbaysinger]

Wow wow wow wow!! I'm not surprised though. we all know she has this in her, that Celine is as nice from so many people's account as we all think/believe her to be. But I always love hearing other people's acolades/praise of her. When others do it, it only fuels my own as her fan. Anyone else experience this?

I too would LOVE sooooooooooooo much to work for/with her, doing just about anything she needed/wanted. I do think though, that since I myself want to be a singer like her, after a few weeks/months maybe of being there simply to be behind her and support her, which I as her fan love doing, and hearing other fans support of her only fuels mine, after q while I'd want to be in the spotlight somehow, singing, playing for me, my songs, with her maybe but not only/always for her. I don't think I'd get jealous/resentful necessarily she is ma grande belle Celine, but I want that life too after all so it would be a bit conflicting.

You know, since many of us are talking about how we'd kill to work for her, what does everyone think of my starting a topic about that since this isn't it? It is, however, a wonderful topic, thank you for sharing the article.

Kay, I agree with you, that, my friends, IS why we love her. And don't any of you forget it!

[sfbaysinger]

Forgot to add that I am a fan of So You Think You Can Dance, which might surprise some of you that a blind person can get in to that show.

Was anyone watching the first few years when the prize was being one of her dancers for the show?