Henry

Henry's dance career began when he was nine years old. He was at a friend's birthday party, and everyone began dancing. He'd never seen his friends dance before – but instead of leaping onto the floor and laying down his signature sharp moves, Henry convinced his mum he was feeling sick and to take him home! When she got the real reason for his quick exit out of him - stage fright - she signed him up for dance lessons at their local school. And rest as they say, is history!

Now Henry, 22, loves performing all styles exposed to him, especially Ballroom, Jive and Latin, and he's a big fan of the smooth style of superstars Patrick Swayze and John Travolta.

Born in Sydney but with a Russian background, he's performed in Melbourne for the Australian Dancesport Championships, Sydney for the South Pacific Dancesport Championships, Queensland and Adelaide for Dancesport Championships, and World championships in England and Australia, plus many others…

Describing himself as dynamic, passionate, rhythmical and powerful, Henry is also a student completing majors in Finance/ Agricultural Economics – in fact he was doing his final uni exams right before and straight after his audition for SYTYCD, which meant he was studying instead of celebrating after his win!

Henry feels it's important to maintain a balance between academia and dance – but his ambitious streak will mean the book-learning will be put on hold for the duration of the competition. Henry is determined to show Australia he KNOWS he can dance!

Key quote: "I thrive in competitive environments. I will give all I've got - and then some."