5 MINUTES WITH ENTERTAINMENT SUCCESS BONNIE LYTHGOE + AUDIO

Bonnie started her dancing career at the Corona School for Performing Arts in London. While studying, she won a role in the feature film To Sir With Love starring Sidney Poitier. Seven months later she was offered a presenter role on a children’s television series in the UK, The Sooty Show. Bonnie then auditioned for a BBC dance series called Young Generation, the choreographer for the series was Nigel Lythgoe who Bonnie later married in 1974.

You have such a vibrant personality and radiate positive energy wherever you go. What are your secrets to living a full happy life?

Liking yourself and being happy in your own skin is key. Being busy and waking up every morning ready to face the day ahead in a very positive way.

What makes you truly happy?

Waking up to a beautiful day in an English Garden filled with Daffodils.

Favourite food?  

An English Sunday Roast by a roaring fire.

Favourite quote?

Oscar Wilde, Some cause happiness wherever they go others whenever they go.

Favourite read?  

There are so many beautiful books but one that always springs to mind is The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

How do you keep your mind, body and soul inspired?  

I think always moving on to a new project is how I keep my mind body and soul inspired. New adventures, incredible dancers, new challenges, the up’s the down’s then the result.

What is your favourite room in your house and why?

My bedroom, it has all the colours I love for a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.  It’s very important to me to get a restful sleep so soft blues; candles and lamps are a must.

Do you have a favourite travel destination/s and why?  

Venice is always one of my favourite. It is so romantic taking a trip along the canal. Beautiful restaurants, lovely walks and so much to see under the star filled sky.

Do you have any advice for our readers who are seeking helpful tips on how they can live a colourful and happy life?

I think everyone has problems, some big, some small, but trying to look on the positive side helps and working towards a better time. Don’t think too much about the past, concentrate on the future and talk things through with a good friend. Filling the house with flowers always makes you feel better, taking a bath with candles in the room or walking on the beach seeing the colours of the Ocean.

ABOUT BONNIE LYTHGOE
Bonnie Lythgoe is an entertainment industry success story. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Bonnie’s achievements as a dancer, choreographer, director, TV presenter, TV producer and Broadway producer are second to none.

Bonnie started her dancing career at the Corona School for Performing Arts in London. While studying, she won a role in the feature film To Sir With Love starring Sidney Poitier. Seven months later she was offered a presenter role on a children’s television series in the UK, The Sooty Show. Bonnie then auditioned for a BBC dance series called Young Generation, the choreographer for the series was Nigel Lythgoe who Bonnie later married in 1974.

A variety of choreography and directing roles in London included Snow White, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Grease, The Best Little Whore House in Texas, The Real Monty, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aladdin, West Side Story and Royal Variety for HRH Queen Elizabeth to name just a few.

With ongoing success in musical theatre, Bonnie was then approached to produce a special for the BBC, 100 years of music. Following on from this, the BBC asked her to stay on and appear as a judge on a new Singing reality series called S Club Juniors which was created by Simon Fuller. Once this successful project was over, Bonnie then flew to the United States to join a new Simon Fuller venture – American Idol. Here she was reunited with her husband who was the Executive Producer on the series. Bonnie was a producer on the first three series of American Idol before moving on to another new project – So You Think You Can Dance US for which she was both a judge and a producer for the first two series. Bonnie was then given the amazing opportunity to become a judge on Network Ten’s new hit series So You Think You Can Dance Australia. Naturally she grabbed this chance as Australia has always been close to her heart both personally and in terms of her desire to be successful here professionally.

This has led to many varied guest appearances on both Australian TV and Radio which include morning TV slots, Rove, Can of Worms, The Project, The Circle, Mornings with Kerri Anne and a variety of cooking shows.

Bonnie has worked with numerous well known entertainers throughout her career including Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis Junior, Sir Cliff Richard, Barry Humphries, Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing) and Charlene Tilson (Lucy Ewing), Victoria Beckham, Dudley Moore, Sidney Poitier, Olivia Newton-John, Black Eyed Peas, Sarah – The Duchess of York, Rolf Harris, Jerry Lewis, Neil Diamond, The Bee Gee’s, Pink, Leona Lewis, Stevie Wonder and Neil Patrick Harris. In 2011 Bonnie created Lythgoe Family Productions in Los Angeles with her son Kristopher. Together they have brought musical “Panto” to Los Angeles. The first Production was Cinderella, which Bonnie directed and Kristopher produced for which she auditioned hundreds of wannabe Cinderella’s.

Snow White followed the next year where she cast Neil Patrick Harris to play the Magic Mirror. The pantomime has had huge success in the US with both seasons selling out. Snow White the pantomime was picked up for a reality series called Opening Night on the Ovation channel USA. The series follows Bonnie and the crew around as they cast the Production. The programme is a real insight as to what goes on behind the scenes and how it all comes together. We see the ups and downs, mixed with the tears and laughter. The special aired over the Thanksgiving weekend in the US in November 2012.

Her wish is to do a behind the scenes TV in Australia as well as bringing “Panto” to the Australian continent are due to roll out later this year.