Serge Onik was a dancer and choreographer who rose to fame as a contestant on season 11 of So You Think You Can Dance in 2014. He also worked as a choreographer on Dancing With the Stars and appeared as a dancer in the movie In the Heights. He died at the age of 33 on August 24, 2021. His cause of death is still unknown, but some speculate that he might have had COVID-19 or heart disease. Here is what we know so far about his tragic passing.
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A Beloved Member of the Dance Community
Onik’s death was confirmed by his representative Jim Keith, who said in a statement: “He was an amazing dancer with a huge heart and he touched the lives of everyone who met him. He will be truly missed. This is a sad day for us at the agency and for the dance community as a whole. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family at this time.”
Many celebrities in the dance world paid tribute to Onik on social media, expressing their shock and grief over his loss. Peta Murgatroyd, a pro dancer on Dancing With the Stars, shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, writing: “My Serge……my Koala I can’t believe it, I am completely broken.” She also recalled how Onik helped her after giving birth to her son Shai, saying: “You made me dance, made me move and made me get up and believe I could do it again.”
Val Chmerkovskiy, another pro dancer on Dancing With the Stars, also mourned Onik in his own tribute, writing: “Can’t believe I’m actually writing this. I love you Serge. You had this ease about you, this kindness, this love and excitement for life and the people around you.”
Kristyn Burtt, a TV host who has worked on World of Dance and other shows, announced Onik’s death on Twitter, writing: “Serge Onik was not only beloved for his talents on season 11 of So You Think You Can Dance, but he was also a great friend who always showed up with a warm smile and a big hug. The dance industry lost such a bright light.”
A Successful Career in Dance
Onik was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and moved to the United States when he was 3 years old. He started dancing at the age of 9 and competed in various ballroom dance events. In 2009, he finished eighth at the World Games in Taiwan and won the National Dance title.
In 2014, he auditioned for season 11 of So You Think You Can Dance and made it to the top 14. He impressed the judges and the viewers with his versatility and charisma, performing various styles such as contemporary, hip hop, jazz, salsa, and tango.
He also assisted pros like Maksim Chmerkovskiy with choreography on Dancing With the Stars and helped U.S. Olympic figure skaters with their routines and training.He most recently starred as a dancer in the Jon M. Chu-directed film In the Heights, which was released in June. He also taught classes at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City.
An Unknown Cause of Death
The exact cause of Onik’s death has not been revealed yet, but some sources have speculated that he might have contracted COVID-19 or suffered from heart disease. According to US day News, he looked healthy and happy in his recent Instagram posts and did not disclose any underlying condition.However, they also noted that some fans believed he had COVID-19 or heart disease based on some clues from his social media
One clue was that Onik posted a photo of himself wearing a mask on August 16, with the caption: “Mask up! Stay safe!” Some fans wondered if he was sick or exposed to someone who had COVID-19.Another clue was that Onik shared a video of himself dancing with Murgatroyd on August 13, with the caption: “Heart rate monitor says I’m alive!” Some fans interpreted this as a sign that he had heart problems or was monitoring his health.
However, these are only speculations and there is no official confirmation or evidence to support them. Until more information is released by his family or his representative, we can only hope that he died peacefully and without pain.
A Legacy That Lives On
Serge Onik may be gone too soon, but his legacy lives on through his dance performances, his choreography work, his movie appearance, his teaching skills, and his positive impact on others. He will be remembered as a talented, kind, and joyful person who loved life and dancing. He will be missed by his family, his friends, his fans, and the dance community. Rest in peace, Serge Onik.
