What Contestants Really Get After Winning ‘So You Think You Can Dance’
CR: Ray Mickshaw/FOX Reading Time: 2 minutes
For over 15 years, Fox’s hit reality competition So You Think You Can Dance has showcased incredible dancers vying for the title of “America’s Favorite Dancer.” The prizes and opportunities winners receive are pretty incredible, but what exactly do champions gain from being crowned victors of SYTYCD? Spoiler alert, it’s much more than just the cash prize.
SYTYCD Winners Receive Fame, Exposure, Along With Performance Opportunities
The main perk of winning SYTYCD is the instant fame and exposure dancers receive. Millions of viewers get to know the contestants over a season. Therefore, champions become huge names among dance fans.
Winners also gain amazing performance opportunities. They perform nationally on the SYTYCD tour after their season ends. In addition, many return in later seasons as All-Stars. Several also have danced backup for major music artists.
In addition to fame, SYTYCD winners receive a large cash prize. Earlier seasons awarded $100,000 to the champions. More recently, the prize was increased to a whopping $250,000!
Runners-up don’t go home empty-handed either. Second place finishers now receive $50,000, up from just $25,000 originally. Even the top 10 get $2,000 each.
Winners of SYTYCD also score a coveted cover and photo spread in Dance Spirit magazine. It provides great exposure. Past champions have landed other major magazine covers too.
Past Winners Became Highly Successful After The Show
Looking at recent champions shows the incredible benefits of winning SYTYCD. Most recently, season 17 winner Alexis Warr Burton performed on Dancing With The Stars as a troupe member and went on tour with Derek Hough. She already has over 340,000 Instagram followers thanks to her SYTYCD fame.
Bailey Munoz, winner of season 16, has choreographed for and danced with major artists like Demi Lovato. Season 15 winner Hannahlei Cabanilla toured with singer Ciara after her SYTYCD victory. She also performed in music videos and TV shows.
For skilled dancers, winning SYTYCD provides a huge platform to launch their career in the entertainment industry. The exposure and opportunities are invaluable. Past winners have gone on to perform with top music artists, land TV, and movie roles, choreograph for major productions, and more thanks to the boost SYTYCD gave their careers.
