Meet The Top 8 Dancers of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Season 17
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So You Think You Can Dance has officially made it to the Top 8 of the season. After seeing countless amazing dancers, the judges and in-house audience have voted these eight dancers into the top of their class. Here’s everything you need to know about the So You Think You Can Dance Top 8.
1. Alexis Warr Burton
Alexis is no stranger to the spotlight. Ahead of So You Think You Can Dance she’s appeared on World of Dance season two, as well as America’s Got Talent seasons nine and ten as part of Center Stage Dance Troupe. She began dancing at the age of six in both jazz and ballet and began cross training with ballroom in 2013.
2. Anna Miller
This Michigan native has taken her skills all the way to California for So You Think You Can Dance season 17. Anna’s Instagram is filled with tons of dance photos and videos, so it’s clear that she’s been dancing for quite some time. In May, she announced that she will be attending Chapman University in the fall, double majoring in Dance and Business.
3. Beau Harmon
On top of being a dancer, this Georgia native is also an actor. His parents decided to enroll him in dancing, acting, and singing lessons after countless living room recitals. Beau recently graduated with his B.F.A. in Music Theatre from Texas State University, he now resides in New York City and has spent the past eight years as a regional choreographer.
4. Carter Williams
Carter is among the So You Think You Can Dance season 17 contestants that are not strangers to national television. According to his Instagram bio, he appeared on World of Dance in seasons one and two, as well as America’s Got Talent seasons nine, 10, and 11 with his partner Anika Baker. Outside of television, he is a four-time World Latin Finalist and two-time National Latin Champion.
5. Essence Wilmington
Essence is a rapper, dancer, choreographer, actor, model and dance teacher. Outside of dancing on the series, she teaches children six and above at the Roosevelt Center in Davenport, Iowa. At the age of nine, Essence began training with the Imani Dance and Studio for Cultural arts. Even though she is mainly a hip-hop dancer, she also studied ballet and modern dance.
6. Keaton Kermode
Keaton impressed the judges and audience right off the batt with his unexpected audition. Many believed that he wouldn’t be able to dance well, since he has a body similar to a football player. The element of surprise (and great talent) has gotten him into the Top 8 of the season. Outside of So You Think You Can Dance he is apart of dance crew, DanceMakers Inc. and is signed to MSA talent agency.
7. Ralyn Johnson
This 18 year old lives a pretty busy life outside of So You Think You Can Dance. Her daily schedule often involves school, track practice, then dance. This dancer stayed strong through the 2021 Louisiana floods through her love of dance. No matter how bad things are, she’s able to overcome it with dance.
8. Waverly Fredericks
Waverly Fredericks is currently a student at The Juilliard School in New York City, set to graduate in 2023. Before attending the college, he attended LaGuardia Performing Arts High School. Outside of dance, Waverly has modeled in New York Fashion Week, for the cover of Visual Tales Magazine, and more.
So You Think You Can Dance returns to FOX on Wednesday, July 13 at 9/8c. The upcoming episode will feature the top four dancers picking their partners to dance in random genres. The eight dancers will also showcase their talents in solo rounds. In the end, two dancers will face elimination, leaving the Top 6 of the season.
The current contestants are way below par of the prior seasons contestants. The dancers are awkward in their performances and I feel they let some better dancers go. This is not the best season.