'So You Think You Can Dance' choreographer accused of rape
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"So You Think You Can Dance" choreographer and salsa instructor Alex Da Silva was arrested Saturday on suspicion of sexually assaulting at least four of his students.
Da Silva, 41, had finished teaching a class at a Hollywood dance studio when he was taken into custody. He's been accused of assaulting students in two of his Los Angeles area homes over the last six years.
"The victims allege that he lured them to his homes in North Hollywood and Van Nuys," say the police in a statement. "He then used a ruse to get them into his bedroom, where he raped them."
Da Silva was previously accused of sexually assaulting three women in 2003, 2004 and 2005, but no charges were filed at the time. When a fourth woman, a student of his dance class, came forward on March 28 and reported that she was invited to his home and raped there, detectives reopened the case when interviews of the previous accusers -- all unknown to each other -- matched the latest student's assertion.
Da Silva is currently being held on $3.8-million bail and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, April 7.
Police believe there may have been more victims.
The Brazilian-born Da Silva teaches his unique LA style salsa at the Edge Performing Arts Center Hollywood, the Mayan club in downtown Los Angeles, at Mama Juana's in Studio City and various other clubs in the Los Angeles area.
On FOX's reality show "So You Think You Can Dance," guest choreographers like Da Silva come in to create original routines, often crossing disciplines, for the contestants to perform each week to test versatility.
The fifth season of the dance competition show has already completed auditions and will air this summer.
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It's about time the truth be known about Alex Da Silva. He has had this reputation as rapist for years. No surprise. Only now the public is finding out about this. May justice finally be served.
Player, Womanizer...yes, rapist...never heard this.
What in the hell is 'player' supposed to mean? It sounds like an immature type who needs to get over him or herself.
go to jail alex
you are a pig
A $3.8 million bail is no joke. That's Bernie Madoff territory!! Sounds like the LAPD finally connected the dots and took a very dangerous character off the streets.
I'd like to know why no charges were previously filed by his earlier victims. Seems like there was definitely a pattern and that the women were being intimidated or discouraged from filing charges.
You've all been watching way to much Television!
Alex is an amazing person with a HUGE heart.
All of the people making comments on these blogging site's don't even know Alex.
And the one's who might know him or have met him who are making really poor comments about him are simply Jealous of Alex, his talent, and his career. Stop being Jealous! Stop making untrue comments, and the time you are wasting creating lies
about Alex, you too could maybe make a success out of your life!
What we simply have here are women who wish to get paid, and who might also possibly have a desire to obtain 10 seconds of "FAME."
LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
alex is handsome is some way and is a greatdancer they want but cant have him cuz hes a player type and is famous for what he does... if a takes a long time to confront pd for this so called rape it would of been done ....they wanted more and when it was a one night stand they felt like a slut get over it he dont want u .. it takes two ..
Just because he's been accused doesn't make him guilty. You know...that whole pesky "innocent until proven guilty" thing?
Let the court decide whether or not he did this. He's an incredible dancer and teacher and he's always come across as a really nice, stand-up kinda guy.
"innocent until proven guilty" - do anybody believe this. First Chris Brown now Da Silva.
time to cut off little Alex