Buddy Casimano: From Calhoun Talent Show to Touring with Debbie Gibson

It's been quite the whirlwind for Buddy Casimano since he defeated Debbie Gibson in the 1986 Calhoun High School talent show. 

Six months later, Gibson got her record deal, and Casimano joined her as her choreographer and back-up dancer. 

"It was weird when we were young, because she had got so famous so fast," Casimano said. "She was so ultra famous, and I got to experience that from a different perspective."

He never wanted to be the main focus though, he said. Casimano just loved to dance. It all started when the 14-year-old then-gymnast auditioned for a Broadway musical "Grind", and he nearly made the cut.

"I never danced a step in my life, and I made it all the way to the end," he said. "I almost made a Broadway show."

His defining moment, he said, was when he got to walk on stage the first time in his own Broadway show. Casimano said that all his hard work "had finally paid off."

"The fact that it’s 30 years later and I’m still doing it, it doesn’t surprise me," he said. "When I was 15, I said I’d marry my career, and I did."

As for what's next, Casimano is doing lots of corporate choreography, and he starts his teaching tour next month. He also hosts the Spirit of Dance Awards, and he hinted that a new project with Gibson is in the works.

"I have a feeling we might have a bunch of shows with Deb," he said. "I have a feeling something’s going to happen."

As for coming from Merrick, Casimano, who took his first dance lessons at Dance Art, said it's amazing how much talent has emanated from here.

"A lot of talent comes from this little town, so maybe there’s something in the water," he said.

For more on Casimano, check out his website by clicking here.