Drew Sidora Shares Favorite ‘Step Up’ Memories (Exclusive)

It’s been nearly 18 years since Step Up first hit theaters, and Drew Sidora is reflecting on how the movie became “something pretty iconic.”

Speaking to PEOPLE about her role in Bounce TV’s new series Mind Your Business, the 39-year-old actress and Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member also shared memories of the “fun” experience of filming the film’s memorable “Til’ the Dawn” dance scene.

“I was nervous. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, this is crazy,'” she recalled. “But I think, too, also for me to have that outlet to share my music, people didn’t really know I was a singer until Step Up came out. Being able to showcase that side of me was amazing.”

Sidora, who shared the soundtrack with stars like Ciara and Sean Paul, spoke about the unique feeling of displaying both her acting and musical talents, thinking that things “can’t get better than that.”

Step Up‘s choreography, she noted, was “phenomenal, mixing a little bit of ballet, jazz with hip-hop and infusing modern,” which matched “all the training that I had growing up.”

“But really at the end of the day, people didn’t know this was the little engine that could for Disney,” Sidora shared. “They started to put more money behind it, and it became one of the biggest grossing films for them. It has, what is it, up to 20 editions to it? I don’t even know what Step Up they’re on now.”

“But it truly was kind of like a guinea pig project that turned into something pretty iconic,” she continued. “So I think for me, that just is a testament to us all really being humbled and putting our best work forth, and it just coming out on top and translating to something great that none of us ever expected.”

After the first Step Up film was released in 2006 — featuring Sidora as Lucy Avila, alongside Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan — five more Step Up films followed, as well as a three-season series Step Up: High Water.

In the years since the first movie, Sidora mentioned she has “reconnected” with Dewan, 43, on social media and still keeps up with former cast mates including Damaine Radcliff. She joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta in December 2020 and admitted it would be “awesome” to know if any fellow Step Up alumni are fans.

“But it would be awesome to definitely hear, or do a reunion of some sort and really hear their thoughts about The Real Housewives of Atlanta because, truth be told, a lot of people watch the show. They may not want to admit it, but I’ve met rappers that just knew too much about me,” she said.

“I’m like, ‘OK…’ And basketball players and things like that. But I’m just like, ‘How do you know that?’ They’re like, ‘Well, my girl watches it,’ or ‘My momma,’ whatever, ‘My sister.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah. OK.'” Sidora added with a laugh, “So I think people are more fans of the show than they would lead people to believe, but it would be funny to hear from my cast what they really think of me on it.”

Sidora’s new sitcom, Mind Your Business — which she’s described as “healing” for her — airs Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bounce TV, with episodes available on the streaming service Brown Sugar.

Source: People