Top 10 Moments We Found a Dancer Was a Great Singer

Oh, “Dirty Dancing,” the film that made us all dream about finding our own Patrick Swayze to lift us high like Baby. While most know him as an actor, did you know he was putting the “Sway” in Swayze long before the 1987 movie? His mother was a dance teacher and choreographer, who many believe nudged him toward this unforgettable role. For many, “Dirty Dancing” was our introduction to his smooth moves and beautiful, soulful voice. Swayze co-penned “She’s Like The Wind” for “Grandview U.S.A.” starring Jamie Lee Curtis, but when it wasn’t used, he proposed it for “Dirty Dancing.” The song became a global sensation, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

This world-renowned ballet dancer started his career in his native Latvia (then part of the Soviet Union) before deciding to explore new horizons in Canada and later the US. There, he joined the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre. Over the years, he has shown that he’s not just a versatile dancer but also an all-around talented performer. If you were around in 1980 and caught “Baryshnikov On Broadway,” a tribute to musicals, you might have been surprised by his impressive singing skills, especially when he teamed up with the legendary Liza Minnelli. His dance moves are iconic, and his singing is totally en pointe, too (one for your ballet dancers).

Julianne Hough spent five seasons on “Dancing with the Stars,” winning twice back-to-back. She left the show to chase her music dreams after releasing her debut single, “Will You Dance With Me,” in 2007. In 2008, she followed up with her eponymous first album. However, it wasn’t until she starred in the movie-musical adaptation of “Rock of Ages” that many recognized her as a true triple threat. Playing Sherrie, a small-town girl with big dreams of becoming a singer, Hough belted out some of the greatest 80s rock hits. Talent runs in her family—her brother Derek showcased his singing in “Hairspray Live!” Plus, their “DWTS” co-star Mark Ballas has rocked the Broadway stage in “Kinky Boots” and “Jersey Boys.”

Hines was one of the most influential tap dancers of the modern age. He was known for his freestyling skills and for often ripping up and re-writing the book on usual tap rhythms. In the mid-70s, he also fronted a rock group called Severance. However, his vocal talents came to light with the 1986 hit “There’s Nothing Better Than Love,” a collaboration with Luther Vandross that topped the Billboard R&B chart and sat comfortably at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. Propelled by the positive reception, Hines released his debut album, featuring “That Girl Wants to Dance with Me,” also written by Vandross. It also performed well, hitting No. 6 on the R&B chart.

Fans of “So You Think You Can Dance” might remember Heather Morris from season two, where she just missed making the top 20. But this setback didn’t stop her. Her career skyrocketed when she danced as a backup on “The Beyoncé Experience” world tour and joined Bey for the “Single Ladies” release campaign. By a stroke of luck, Morris was asked to teach the “Glee” cast Beyoncé’s iconic moves. Coincidentally, they were still casting for one of their cheerleaders, and she landed the role of Brittany S. Pierce. Initially a small part, she quickly charmed fans and got more time in the spotlight. She even got two episodes that put her wide-ranging talent front and center.

We know what you’re thinking: “We’ve seen “Singin’ in the Rain;” of course, we knew he could sing!” Granted, that might be his most famous role today, but it wasn’t necessarily the one that first put him on the map. Kelly’s first movie musical was actually “For Me and My Gal,” where he starred alongside Judy Garland. Surprisingly, Kelly wasn’t too thrilled with his performance and feared he’d be “a tremendous flop.” But he couldn’t have been more mistaken. The film turned out to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the year, launching Kelly’s career as a singing and dancing sensation. With his reputation solidified, he later ventured into choreography and directing, too.

Can you even discuss tap dance without mentioning Bill “Bojangles” Robinson? No, you absolutely cannot. He’s a modern tap trailblazer famous for popularizing the iconic stair dance. Robinson’s legacy is huge—he broke down racial barriers on the silver screen, especially with his groundbreaking dance partnership with a young Shirley Temple. While we love watching him dance, it wasn’t until his last movie, “Stormy Weather,” a largely fictionalized account of his life, that we found out he could sing! In it, he sings classics like “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, Baby” and “My, My Ain’t That Somethin’,” as well as its reprise. We only wish his singing voice had received more limelight.

DeBose got her start on season six of So You Think You Can Dance, making it to the top 20. After that, Broadway came calling. Her credits include “Bring It On: The Musical,” “Motown: The Musical,” and a standout role in “Hamilton.” However, it was Ryan Murphy's film adaptation of “The Prom” where many first heard her sing off the stage. She captivated audiences as Alyssa Greene, a cheerleader, grappling with her identity. From there, her star soared. She landed roles in the musical parody series “Schmigadoon!” and played Anita in the acclaimed 2021 remake of “West Side Story,” where she scooped up a slew of awards, including an Oscar. She also voiced Asha in Disney's centennial celebration movie, “Wish.”

In 2005, Fairchild started training with the New York City Ballet before joining their professional ensemble a year later. Fast forward a few years, and enter the legendary choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. He asked Fairchild if he could sing, to which he replied, “Who’s listening?” Well, everyone was soon listening when Fairchild wowed audiences as Jerry Mulligan in the Broadway smash, “An American in Paris,” following in the footsteps of Gene Kelly. Meanwhile, Leanne Cope was several years into her tenure with The Royal Ballet when Wheeldon recalled her lovely singing voice. After singing “The Man I Love” for him, she landed the role of Lise. Both stars later took the show to the West End, too.

In an incredible nearly eight decades-long career, Fred Astaire danced his way into 31 movie musicals and countless hearts. Raised in a family that nurtured his and his sister’s talents, he began his stage career alongside her. When they eventually went their separate ways, Astaire set his sights on Hollywood. Legend has it that after his audition for RKO, someone noted, “Can’t act. Slightly bald. Also dances.” Despite this now laughable critique, they still cast Astaire, most notably in “Flying Down to Rio” with Ginger Rogers. We can only imagine that the note’s author might have eaten their words upon realizing they had a triple-threat superstar. Today, Astaire is celebrated as one of the most legendary entertainers of all time.

Did you know these dancers could sing? Who surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments.