Here’s What You Missed on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ This Week
CR: Nathan Bolster/FOX Reading Time: 3 minutes
So You Think You Can Dance Season 18 returned this week on FOX for the second night of auditions. Judges Allison Holker, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and Comfort Fedoke watched hopeful dancers show off their talent with some amazing performances.
So You Think You Can Dance Contestant Earns Standing Ovation
During Monday’s new episode of SYTYCD, 18-year-old contemporary dancer Braylon Browner shared his excitement to be auditioning for the judges. Braylon danced a passionate routine to “Retrograde” by James Blake.
The performance made Holker emotional, and all three judges were so impressed that they gave Braylon a standing ovation. Holker called him “a gift,” saying she would want to hire him right now for a music video or movie.
Chmerkovskiy said he saw the moment when Braylon pulled back from his bubbly personality and “focused in” before starting the performance. It was then that he knew the performance would be great. All three judges voted “yes” to sending Braylon to the choreography round.
Dancer Auditions for the Show in a Wheelchair
Another memorable audition from Monday’s new show came from 27-year-old Kaylee Bays, who shared that she was diagnosed with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome when she was 21. The condition affects her connective tissues, and she was told she would never dance again.
Kaylee performed in and out of her wheelchair for her audition, which was set to “Never Gonna Not Dance Again” by Pink. She told the judges that doctors predict she only has “about five more years left of mobility at this level.”
“I will dance until I’m dancing with my eyes,” Kaylee shared.
Kaylee’s audition obviously affected the judges, with Fedoke saying she was holding back tears during the performance. Kaylee promised the judges that she can adapt to any style, and they showed that they have faith in her by voting her through to the next round.
Judges Change Their Minds About Dancer
During Monday’s episode, 21-year-old Arianna Santos auditioned for the judges with a fusion of hip-hop and flamenco, using a fan as a prop. She shared that she wanted to advocate for women who look like her in the dance world.
The judges told Arianna that they wanted to see more Flamenco from her. They decided not to send her to the next round, although Holker gave her words of encouragement to keep dancing. However, Holker later changed her mind about Arianna.
Holker told her fellow judges that they were supposed to be giving dancers “the opportunity to show us more.” She said she wanted to give Arianna a second chance in the choreography round. The other judges agreed, and Holker delivered the good news to Arianna, who broke down in tears.
Did you enjoy this week’s episode of So You Think You Can Dance? Let us know in the comments below.
