We’re never going to think ‘this is where we stop’
Street dance star Marlon “Swoosh” Wallen tells MARION McMULLEN how Britain’s Got Talent set Flawless dancing all around the world
Where did your nickname Swoosh come from?
IT'S just a description of me basically. (Laughs) I'm quick but smooth. I've had it since I was a kid and it's stuck with me my whole life.
If someone calls me Marlon it really throws me. I'm looking around thinking ‘Who?' No-one calls me Marlon. Even my Mum calls me Swoosh. I'm so used to it. It's just my name now.
Britain’s Got Talent put Flawless in the TV spotlight in 2009. Were you prepared for the overnight fame it brought?
TO BE honest, we really weren't. We were in this bubble working on the show and then Britain's Got Talent gave us a national profile.
It was the next stage for us. It opened doors internationally. We would be busy doing BGT and out of the blue we would get a call from China. It was really random.
We had 18 million vote for us in the semi-final. It's just incredible when you hear things like that. Just overwhelming.
Flawless have toured the world, starred in the Street Dance movies, taken part in the opening ceremony of the London Paralympics and made history collaborating with the English National Ballet. What is your highlight?
THE Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace was a pinch myself moment. There were so many A-listers there that day and I found myself standing next to Stevie Wonder.
I never in my life thought that would happen. It was surreal, overwhelming and humbling all at the same time.
It was amazing performing at Buckingham Palace. You know I'd take visiting relatives there in the past sightseeing, but to be actually walking through the gates of Buckingham Palace was a new experience.
How old were you when you became interested in dancing?
I WAS four. My mum was into dance and would watch Michael Jackson music videos and I would jump up and try to copy what I saw on TV and that sparked my love for dance.
I later went to a boys school and I was the only one interested in dance and I would get ‘Why are you dancing?' from some of the other boys. I did an after-school club and got some dancers together and we did a showcase at the school's Christmas show. So many watched and it was suddenly ‘This is cool.'
It's where the idea of a boys' street dance group and Flawless really began. You’re playing 45 venues over three months for your Chase The Dream: The Reboot tour. How do you prepare for such a big tour? YOU know we're used to it now. We do panto over Christmas – we will be doing Peter Pan in Northampton this year – and that's two shows a day so one show every day is a lot more do-able. We've already started rehearsing. We train every day for six to eight hours. It's a lot of work, but we're really excited. I think to be able to do what you love that's just a blessing.
We all stay active and eat as healthily as possible on tour. I've had a few injuries over the years, but not anything that has put me out for a long time. It's just general wear and tear that you get doing something like this.
You get treatment, the maintenance, when you need it and try to stay healthy.
I enjoy chocolate cake on my cheat day as a treat, but it's normally salads, fruit and vegetables, a bit of protein, and not too many carbs.
You’ve appeared on Britain’s Got Talent and Celebrity Big Brother. Would you ever do another reality TV show?
IT depends on what it is. It's a question of quality not quantity. If the right show and right outfit came along then you'll see me on TV again, but I'm also happy to be in the background.
I'm completely fine with that.
You now run dance summer camps and a dance school. Is this the next stage for Flawless?
FLAWLESS is still going today because I believe you are always a student and always learning – and that applies to everything. We're always going to be learning, we're never going to peak and reach a place and think ‘this is where we stop.' I'm always going to be looking at the bigger picture and we are now working with the next generation with our dance school and summer camps and these young people are going to want to do showcases and performances as well.
It never stops.
The dance school takes place every Sunday in Vauxhall. It's run for anyone interested in dance and anyone interested in a career in dance. We offer support and encouragement and show them what it takes to be a professional. We want to encourage the next generation of dancers. You've got to chase the dream no matter what you do. That's what our show is all about... inspiring people.
■ The Chase The Dream: The Reboot tour begins on September 1. Go to entertainers.co.uk for ticket details.