In the third of three interviews with the Top 3 STYCYD winners from season 7, I got to talk with winner, Lauren Froderman, about winning the show, her post show plans, and how it all changed her life.

[Photo courtesy of Mathieu Young/FOX]

First off, congratulations on winning season 7! What was the first thought that went through you head when you heard Cat say your name?

Thank you! The very first thing that went through my head was, "Wait, not Kent?!" and then I was so overjoyed and shocked I had no thoughts except how cool this was!

For the first time ever, the finalists were all contemporary dancers. Actually... this season was heavily dominated by contemporary. How did being trained in contemporary better prepare you for the other genres of dance? What do you think made you stand out over the other contestants to make it to the top 3?

I don't think being a contemporary dancer helped me prepare for the other genres, I had to do extra research and study and practice to get good at other styles of dance, being a contemporary dancer only better prepared me for the contemporary dances but sadly I only got to do two contemporary routines on the show! I think I was very good at being a chameleon though and I really wanted to do my absolute best in all of the styles so that helped me stand out and make it to the top 3.

How has your life been since the show ended a few months ago?

Well I have not had a break since the show ended. I had a total of two days off before starting rehearsals for tour so my life has been a whirlwind of dance [So You Think You Can Dance to be specific!] =]

What was your favorite dance from the season? What made it so special to you? What was your least favorite?

My favorite dance was the contemporary piece choreographed by Travis Wall that I danced with Kent. It was such a fun experience from the rehearsals to the stage I never stopped having fun and it was the first time I felt really comfortable on the show what with Kent and I having so much in common and the dance being both of our styles. I didn't have a least favorite on the show I actually enjoyed all of my routines that I did on the show thoroughly!

Having watched the show from start to finish, it's an understatement that you grew throughout the competition. Was there a specific moment that you felt yourself transform into the dancer you are today? If so, what was it?

On the show, I felt I started to grow starting the week I had Cha Cha with Pasha [Kovalev, season 3 all star] and contemporary with Kent. I stopped worrying about it being a competition and I decided to just enjoy each moment as it came and try to make the most out of everything so I wouldn't leave with any regrets and it helped me out so much! My love for dance skyrocketed when I opened myself up to have fun and not worry all the time!

Which choreographer do you felt pushed you the hardest?

ALL of them pushed me. Haha! I'm serious, I cannot narrow it down to one. They all wanted me to succeed and pushed me to my limits so I would grow.

What was it like working with the all stars vs. the other contestants? What did you learn from working with alumni who had been in your shoes just a few years before?

Working with the all stars was so helpful because they already had been through the experience so they were there for us the whole time and had no other motive except to make us look the best we possibly could. But working with the contestants was so special because we knew each other so well and were such a tight knit family and were the best of friends =]. The alumni taught us how to play to the camera and at the end of the day to remember why we love dance and that that is the most important thing.

I'm assuming by now you've had a chance to watch the episodes. Looking back, what, if anything, would you have done differently?

I actually have not had time to watch the episodes yet but they are recorded on my TV back home so I will be watching them once tour is finished! =]. But just from what I remember doing I don't think I would have done anything differently except not taken everything so seriously those first couple weeks of the show. I really stressed myself out back then!

Out of all of the judges' praise and criticism, what words have stuck with you the most?

Two things. when Adam [Shankman] said he would hire me and when Mia [Michaels] said that if she was still dancing she would want to dance like me. what an honor!!!!

What has been the craziest part of this whole experience? Best? Worst?

The fact that strangers know my name and love me and support me even though they only know me through what they see on the television! The best thing is my new family that I have made and will have forever =]. The worst is I haven't had time to take class in forever so I'm excited to get straight back to the ballet bar after tour finishes up. =]

How is the tour going? Do you have any funny stories to share?

The tour is AMAZING! It's so cool to meet the people that have supported me throughout the summer and as for funny stories I can tell you that there are too many I don't know where to begin! But these people are the most fun people I've ever met =].

Finally, what are your post-tour post-SYTYCD plans?

I am planning on moving to LA so I can audition and work work work!! =]

Previously:
Interview with STYCYD's Robert Roldan
Interview with STYCYD's Kent Boyd