Alex Da Silva, of 'So You Think You Can Dance,' accused of rape

Alex Da Silva, the salsa dance instructor and a choreographer for Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," was arrested Saturday on charges of sexually assaulting four of his students, L.A. police said.

Da Silva, 41, is accused of assaulting the students in his two homes in the San Fernando Valley over the last six years, police said. He is being held on $3.8-million bail.

Authorities said that the four vicitims were all students of Da Silva at the time of the assaults. "The victims allege that he lured them to his homes in North Hollywood and Van Nuys," the police said in a statement. "He then used a ruse to get them into his bedroom, where he raped them."

Da Silva won the World Salsa Championships in 2002 and 2007 and currently teaches at the Edge  Performing Arts Center in Hollywood and the Mayan club in downtown Los Angeles, police said.

 Anyone with information about other alleged assaults involving Da Silva is urged to call Van Nuys detectives at (818) 374-1926.

-- Ken Weiss

Photo: Los Angeles Police Department

Comments

[myfailsafe]

So you think you can rape?

[August]

Salsa? And you thought Meth was bad!

[Jane]

I used to be a salsa dancer in the late 90s and early 2000s. It was very common knowledge throughout the salsa dance community that he had raped someone back then and we were repeatedly told to stay away from him. This story doesn't come as a surprise at all....

[Burundy]

LOL. I think they're making it up. Girls make up stories all the time. Doesn't mean it's true.

[F]

If it was common knowledge, why didn't anyone do anything about it then? You could have prevented further rapes. Doing nothing makes people who knew practically accomplices.

[Joseph]

Never judge anyone unless you really know them. For those of you with negative comments.

[Dan]

Why didn't prosecutors file charges when three women accused Da Silva of sexual assault in 2003, 2004 and 2005?

[Jim]

sad, already guilty before proven so..career and reputation already down the drain..

[Katie]

Some women don't come forward with assault charges because they are simply scared--of their attacker, of retribution, or of what they might face if they report the crime. They might have been scared that they would be killed.

Try looking at the situation from the victim's perspective. Quite scary, indeed!

[Amor Matias]

I have known Alex for many years and I know what type of man he is. I am sure that when all is said and done and the truth will come out. He will be found to be innocent of the charges. Any one how really know him will know what type of person he is. I know him to be a good and upstanding man. First remember that in this country you are innocent till you are proven guilty. So let him have his day in court and let them prove that he committed the crimes they say he did. As for the comments on this site about salsa and his guilt. I have been going to salsa clubs for over 15 years and have funded them to be some of the best clubs in Los Angeles. Where else can you go out and have a great time dancing and you really don’t have to worry about thing you do in other clubs. The people that go to salsa clubs are upstanding and good people. In addition Alex has only been accused of these crimes and he has not been fund guilty. For those of you that are ready to through him under the bus should remember that we all get our day in court. I would hope that when he is fund innocent that you print it and put it on TV just like how you put him down now. As far as I am conserved I consider him to be a good friend of my and I will defined him to the last. Some times good people the shaft. So Alex just knows that you have at least one person here ready to defend you and that will be your friend no matter what happens.

Sincerely Your Good Friend
Amor Matias

[Lisa]

I danced salsa for over 5 years and quit going to the clubs because I got sick and tired of fighting off all the salsa perverts, so I have no idea where the clubs are that Amor Matias refers to. Now I will only dance at private socials held by certain teachers who have proven that they attract good people and not perverts or trash.

Alex da Silva will have his day in court. If the evidence is there and the jury does its job he will be convicted. Or, he may take a plea. Or, the evidence may not stand up in court and he will be freed. Evidently the police believe there are more victims based on the evidence they have seen so far.

[joe brown]

I've known Alex since he lived in the Bay Area and girls would line up 5 deep to dance with him. He's worked very hard at his craft and proved his worth by winning a world title. He's leveraged his world championship into some fame by consulting on films and tv shows. I hope this charges prove to be false.

I know NO MEANS NO! But what are these women doing in his home?

[RuKiddinMe]

oh please, just because you know a person doesn't mean you know if they raped someone. and as far as girls making up stories, i hope someone listens to ur daughter/sister wen they get raped

[cruz]

I worked with Alex in the 1990's. He is very mild mannered and a gentleman. I cannot imagine him doing what he is accused of. He is a very proud person who has worked his way up. He wouldn't hurt a fly, especially a female. He was very close to his sister and nieces and nephews, He has always respected women. I hope that the truth comes out.

[Shirley]

What were those girls doing in his house in the first place?????

[Baroness Danuté Féderas]

I know Alex Da Silva for 15 I have taken dance lesson he always treat every one with the same he is so kind and loving person
I do not believe the girls he is not that kind of person. I belie these are made up stories. I never met any teacher as consider and king as Alex Da Silva.I don't believe he raped maybe he turn them down and there ego and hungry for money.

[stacy dasilva]

i appreciate all the good comments that alot have given about my brother alex. who knows him well knows that he´s innocent!!!!!!!!!! thank you