Wall helped bring the first same-sex pairing to So You Think You Can Dance. While some of what is being said about me is inaccurate or mischaracterized, there is enough truth in their stories to make me feel ashamed and remorseful. Due to the investigation, the dance company said it will be looking into the accusations further. A dance instructor alleges Stroming offered her $500 to come to his hotel room. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Lonetree said he recounted the alleged exchange to Stroming. When allegations of sexual misconduct hit the world-famous dance company Break the Floor last fall, CEO Gil Stroming tried to calm the tight-knit community of dancers and their parents. Break the Floor is investigating an allegation of sexually inappropriate behaviour raised in a Toronto Star investigation. That dancer now works for BTF as a choreographer. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"type":"cta","buttonText":"Sign Up Now","buttonLink":"/emails.html?nsrc=article-inline-longreads","description":"Take your time with the Star's biggest and best features with our Weekend Long Reads email newsletter. As for the other allegation from the then-16-year old, Gabriel denied sending the photo, saying he would never engage in inappropriate behaviour that would ever lead to sending something like this to a teenager. I would not have stayed silent, said Wendy in a phone interview with the Star. Meismer allegedly asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. "In. The AP and Star have not seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. (The Star has not seen the now-deleted text from Lazzarini, but has spoken with two people with whom Clarke shared or discussed the message). Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. Dancers repeatedly described feeling sexualized in their learning space, and multiple dancers said they felt leered at by some choreographers who would message them compliments on their appearance, sometimes immediately following classes. Accusation was leveled against SYTYCD alum in Toronto Star report about widespread sexual harassment at the dance company, (Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that Wall was not cut from Break the Floors tours, but suspended pending investigation.). One dancer alleges he was 16 when Wall gave him ecstasy and methamphetamine, and now believes Wall was grooming him for a sexual relationship. Two-time Emmy-winning choreographer and So You Think You Can Dance star Travis Wall has been taken off of the Break the Floor dance company's tours after allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming were leveled at him by a then-underaged dancer with the company. Any claims to the contrary are simply untrue., Nick Lazzarini: My Apology and Promise to Do Better. presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution A year or so later, shortly after her 18th birthday, Stroming flew the dancer out to New York, where he told her he had lined up dance auditions, she says. however he still holds a major position in the company, and it is rumoured that he is paying off news networks and social media workers to remove/not write negative posts about him. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. In light of this, over the last 18 months, we have made substantial strides to ensure BTR is a better and safer environment for everyone. To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. Others shared specific allegations that choreographers used their positions of power to manipulate them into sexual situations. Break the Floor is investigating an allegation of sexually inappropriate behaviour raised in a Toronto Star investigation. One night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall and forced oral sex on him. Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. confront my own shortcomings, I vow to take every step necessary to turn them into the very strengths I will use to help empower and protect others. "In. In an interview with the Star/AP, Wallace denied Schaufelds allegations and said nothing physical ever transpired between them, though he said he remembered having an inappropriate attraction to Schaufeld. A joint investigation by the Toronto Star and the Associated Press has found alleged sexual misconduct stretches back to the dance companys early years, and involves some of its most prominent instructors and Stroming himself. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer., In a statement, Lazzarini apologized to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth.. Due to the investigation, the dance company said it will be looking into the accusations. The response from Trump who. Break the Floor would not confirm if he was one of the four that were let go in the days after Stroming sold the company. Stroming did not respond to questions about this incident. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video that appears to show himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. Break the Floor is investigating an allegation of sexually inappropriate behaviour raised in a Toronto Star investigation. He was inviting her to his hotel room. The relationship did not progress further physically, Lavallee said. This site uses cookies for analytics, personalized content, and ads. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who did not respond. All I would need to do is say [five] words: I know what you did. . The Star has spoken to a friend of Lindseys who said they saw the texts and photos Lindsey and Lazzarini exchanged. Keanu Uchida, photographed in Montreal, said many student dancers at Break the Floor endured inappropriate sexual advances from their instructors. One, who says he was groped, said Stroming told him that wasnt actually sexual harassment because the young dancer had recoiled before Lazzarini allegedly almost touched his genitals. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who did not respond. She says she didnt attend any auditions and returned home devastated. : A Star investigation has found allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behaviour at Break the Floor, a prominent company that tours Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Lavallee called a friend to come over to divert where he said he felt the night was leading. Hicks, meanwhile, continued to work at RADIX every season, through 2021. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full out devastating attacks. Gil Stromings company capitalized on all of that studio growth, a dance industry that reached some $4 billion in value by 2021, employing more than 120,000 people, according to market research from analysts at IBISWorld. Stroming declined interview requests and did not respond to the specific allegations. The next summer, Ellis said he approached Stroming at the Dance Awards, the biggest BTF event of the season, to tell him how Lazzarini had harassed him. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, AFI Honors Rust Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins With Scholarship Fund for Women Filmmakers, 13 New Fall TV Shows Ranked by Premiere Viewers, From Grand Crew to CSI: Vegas (Photos). "We take this very seriously and will take further action if necessary. Thank you. To order I just knew after that the company was bad news and I wanted out.. Schaufeld had fallen in love with tap at seven years old, and this opportunity offered a chance to raise his profile and learn from one of the best. In light of this, over the last 18 months, we have made substantial strides to ensure BTR is a better and safer environment for everyone.". Eventually, Lazzarini began to avoid her at dance conventions, Clarke said, and this made her anxious, as she feared he was in a position to impede her career. We remain committed to these initiatives and will continue to learn and be better.. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Marci A. Hamilton, a University of Pennsylvania professor who founded CHILD USA and is the author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect its Children, said dance is one of the last forums where adults have unsupervised access to younger students. I have dedicated my life to creating happiness and joy in this world through dance and feel terrible that anything I might have done could have caused anyone to feel sad or hurt, he said. In the months that followed, Ellis said he began accepting Lazzarinis advances, once making out in the choreographers hotel room during a work break. Gabriel, when asked about Maples' accusation, said in a written statement that he had been drinking heavily that night to control fears about serious health problems in his . I cant tell you how many times I thought about writing to Travis (Wall). Wall has previously said "accusations against me are false." He was a teenager in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who was not with Break the Floor at the time. with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. He also noted that he was not in a position of authority but in a first-year, entry-level position. His mental health deteriorated. Ellis recalled that on the last night of the dance season in May 2017, when Ellis was 21, Lazzarini kissed him while they were out at a club with other staff members. BTFs website shows the company still employs Wall, who is currently scheduled to be part of a BTF-affiliated dance conventions 2021-2022 faculty. This investigation, in partnership with the Associated Press, has found the alleged misconduct goes even deeper, and involves some of those responsible for turning Break the Floor into a dance industry empire. HE WAS INVITING HER TO HIS HOTEL ROOM. Be sure to follow Travis will not be traveling with BTF until weve had the opportunity for a third-party to look into these allegations, Break the Floor said in a statement shared in the dance companys Instagram Stories Friday. Thursday's testimony became heated, with Trump's accuser, E. Jean Carroll raising her voice at one point, and the judge scolding a Trump lawyer for asking questions that were "argumentative . Updated: This article has been updated to include a comment that Break The Floor provided after the article published. Male Dancer Accuses Travis Wall of Sexual Misconduct and Grooming. It was discussed by everyone, but was talked about as more of an inconvenience than something that absolutely should never have been happening in the first place. "Travis will not be traveling with BTF until we've had an opportunity to look into these allegations." BTF announced in a statement via Instagram. During this time we have received training from Youth Protection Advocates in Dance, have introduced new tools for faculty education, have worked with Wade Robson on implementing a revised faculty and staff code of conduct, and have updated company policies and procedures all with a focus on safety at our events. Lavallee, who says he became Walls dance assistant in 2008, says Wall made sexual advances on him when the two were staying overnight at Lavallees parents house in Arizona while teaching a dance course nearby. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. "The dance community has long dealt with issues of inappropriate power dynamics as well as overt unacceptable behavior," Break the Floor said in a statement posted to Instagram Thursday. The Star/AP spoke to the dancers father, who said that in the years following, she told him about what happened with Stroming. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically. "The dance community has long dealt with issues of inappropriate power dynamics as well as overt unacceptable behavior," Break the Floor said in a statement posted to Instagram Thursday. I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust. Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. Wall, an Emmy-award winner, was also removed from a BTF tour following the Stars earlier reporting. Discover short videos related to breakthefloor allegations on TikTok. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. He had been heading it uninterrupted for 22 years, presiding over its consistent growth, when a 2021 Star investigation revealed allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behaviour by Break the Floor coaches over their younger students. Lazzarini noticed a tear in Elliss pants and he just shoved his hand up my pants, to which I quickly reacted because I was already embarrassed and didnt need a hand grabbing my genitalia, alleged Ellis. In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. Two of the choreographers facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour are listed as employees on the companys website. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"In a series of text messages between Schaufeld and Wallace, reviewed by the Star/AP, Schaufeld laid out his accusations and Wallace said that although he couldnt remember anything, he couldnt be more sorry. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Im not a monster but I feel like one, Wallace wrote, adding that he has a lot of hazy memories and a huge list of regrets/mistakes from that time period. Misha Gabriel allegedly sent a nude photo on Snapchat to a 16-year-old dancer who says she was so horrified she threw her phone across the room. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County. Hicks said he sought therapy and a sexual treatment course in an effort to hold myself accountable and also deal with the feelings of feeling like I had wronged him in that way when that was never my intention. The profile of Gabriel whos performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more has disappeared from the companys website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. Twitter Its touring conventions will make numerous stops this year, from Miami to Vancouver and Calgary to Anchorage, Alaska. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but his alleged assault by a dancer who went on to play a key role at the company continues to haunt him. We are truly heartbroken that anyone has been subject to inappropriate behaviour by any person associated with Break The Floor, the statement read. Marci A. Hamilton, a University of Pennsylvania professor who founded CHILD USA and is the author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect its Children, said dance is one of the last forums where adults have unsupervised access to younger students. Photos: Break the Floor, Joe Corrigan/Getty Images, Jason Kempin/Getty Images, Beau Campbell, Miss Toto Rodgers, KiLeigh Williams, ngel Vasquez, Lee Gumbs, Broderick Baumann. In the past, Break The Floors policies and procedures did not focus on these issues as closely as they could have. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. Both said Stroming dismissed their concerns. Carroll came out with her accusations against Trump in a book titled "What Do We Need Men For?" and in an excerpt of the tome published in New York Magazine in 2019. BTF TV. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. His family has an INCREDIBLE amount of money. For Myles Lavallee, that blurred student-teacher relationship began with BTF instructor Travis Wall. https://t.co/213nsiNJ73 Morgan Bocknek (@mobocks) October 21, 2021 Hundreds of studios and schools from smaller communities bring teams of dancers to the events, branded by Stroming as JUMP, NUVO, 24 Seven, RADIX and DancerPalooza. Break the Floor cited new training that employees have been required to take along with a new and updated code of conduct. Break the Floor would not confirm if he was one of the four that were let go in the days after Stroming sold the company. 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He worked at a convention in Minneapolis, Minn., where he alleges a 31-year-old Lazzarini groped him. He was a teenager in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who was not with Break the Floor at the time. Three of them say these alleged advances happened when they were under 18. Whenever I worked with a struggling student, I always reassured them that confronting our shortcomings is not a showing of weakness, it is the beginning of strength. As I He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Lavallee told the Star that Wall gave him ecstasy that night, and we were doing hand massages, which just creeps me out now. Lavallee told the Star he invited a friend to come over to diffuse the situation, and a few months later, Wall cut off communication with Lavallee, which Lavallee believes was a direct result of him avoiding a sexual relationship with Wall. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. ","heading":"","fullWindow":false,"fullBleed":false,"showFullBleedOnMobile":false,"headColor":"","type":"html5mobile","textColor":"","mobileImageUrl":"","bgColor":"","imageUrl":"","registeredOnly":false,"linkUrl":"","aodaTitle":"Jeremy Hudson Instagram post","internalScroll":false,"displayStyle":"small-up"},{"text":"Meismer was recently removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. "We are committed to being a serious voice in this conversation and. The Star reviewed the text messages. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and then confront Wallace directly. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. In the text conversation, Hicks told Lonetree, I have a blow job with your name on it. Lonetree brushed off Hickss propositions over text, the texts show. Jeremy Hudson, now a professional dancer, came of age on the convention circuit and won Outstanding Dancer of the Year at the first JUMP Nationals in 2004. 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