Vancouver guest judge Mary Murphy

Mary Murphy trumps the Donald

Updated Fri. Apr. 4 2008 9:41 AM ET

Saira Peesker, CTV.ca

It's not every day a retired dancer beats Donald Trump at his own game -- even if that game happens to be reality television.

So You Think You Can Dance judge Mary Murphy recently did just that, taking the prize for best host/judge at the 2007 Reality TV Awards, beating out heavyweight contenders Donald Trump (The Apprentice) and Ryan Seacrest (American Idol).

"When they called my name I was so surprised," said Murphy, whose infectious laughter has earned her the nickname "Queen of Scream" on the show's American version. "Even hearing our names in the same sentence sounds pretty hysterical."

Murphy, a former ballroom dance champion, recently signed on as a guest judge for the inaugural season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada. She's slotted to help select candidates in Vancouver and Toronto, and will also make some visits to the show later in the season.

She says she can't wait to make the trip to the Great White North, saying coming here reminds her of what she loves about the American Midwest and her home state of Ohio.

"I find the people incredibly friendly," Murphy told CTV.ca. "There's never been a Canadian that I've met that I didn't like."

Murphy recently travelled to Scandinavia and Australia to appear as a guest judge in their So You Think You Can Dance franchises and has appeared in films such as Dance With Me and Killer Movie.

She has much more on the go than just television, however, working as the owner and director of Champion Ballroom Academy in San Diego. She also runs Mary Murphy's Chance To Dance program, which brings dance to children in underprivileged areas.

"I think people see value in kids dancing, especially ballroom where they have to communicate with each other," she said. "When you ballroom dance, you have to bring them together to talk and touch in an appropriate manner."

She says a surprising number of teachers have met her program with enthusiasm, something she attributes to the renewed spotlight on dance thanks to shows like So You Think You Can Dance.

"I just can't believe dancing is in the forefront like it is right now," she said, not attempting to contain her excitement. "I never thought I'd live to see this day but I did.

"There are going to be bright stars that come out of this," she added. "They will have the lead in a movie; they will have the lead in a tour. In this generation we will start to see some dance stars on television and in movies again."

As this country's experts ramp up their search for the first So You Think You Can Dance Canada champion, Murphy says she only has this bit of advice to offer in advance of the crazy ride they're about to embark on:

"It's going to be a real roller coaster, so hold on."

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