Engaged couple Scrachmarcs emerge winners of The Dance Floor

SINGAPORE – Having emerged the winners of Channel 5’s reality dance competition The Dance Floor, engaged couple Rachel Lee, 27, and Marcus Tan, 30, now have a little more money to spend on their wedding and their future together: Specifically, S$50,000.

Known as Scrachmarcs (pronounced “scratch marks”), the couple, whose forte is popping, were voted into the top spot ahead of the three other groups – Scarlett, The Boyz Alliance and Quartz – that made it to the grand finale show, held on Sunday evening (Jan 10) at the Mediacorp TV Theatre.

Hosted by Fauzie Laily and Aimee Cheng, the finals also saw performances by two guests: Japan’s Koharu Sugawara and Korea’s Lia Kim.

“I haven’t cried in more than 20 years,” said an emotional Tan about the win.

An equally teary Lee added: “Yeah, I have not seen him cry before. It has been a really, really enriching and emotional ride for us.”

Guest judge Brian Friedman (America’s Got Talent, The X Factor), who joined resident judges Bill Calhoun, Ryan Tan and Rosalyn Lee at the finale, said it was their “heart” and diversity that won them the title. “They showed me variety,” said the choreographer, who has worked with Britney Spears and Beyonce. “The other groups felt like once you saw them once, you kind of knew what they were going to give you the next time. There’s versatility with Scrachmarcs.

“The fact that they’re a couple – it’s something that, of course, you immediately warm to – the fact that they love each other so much and that they’re in this journey together. It’s hard not to kind of fall in love with them. Their chemistry was real.”

Besides using their prize money to fund their wedding in November, the couple hope to promote their art form by involving themselves in dance projects for youths. “I think everybody can dance and everybody actually loves to dance – it’s just whether you unlock it or not. I will spend my time trying to push that,” said Tan who is a dance instructor.

“Kids play too many video games. Dance is a healthy alternative. We want to help it be a positive energy outlet for them,” he added, pointing out how, with the various connections they have made during the series, they would like to “pull them together and do bigger projects in the future” incorporating the various dance styles.

Lee, a freelance graphic designer, said: “We have learned so much from the Dance Floor journey and met so many dancers we have not really interacted with before. We want the beauty of each different dance to come together – and then to show that Singapore really has our own pool of talent, and this should never be shadowed.”

Added Tan: “We joined The Dance Floor because we hope to educate people that there are such things happening here in our own country – not just on YouTube.”