Following a two-year hiatus, So You Think You Can Dance has returned for its 17th season to continue launching the careers of young dancers in search of their big break. Over the years, Fox TV’s hit show has employed some of the heaviest hitting choreographers in Hollywood (Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Tyce Diorio, Christopher Scott, and Mandy Moore) to help transform the contestants from dynamic talents, to superstars.
Some SYTYCD alumni have landed success in the dance world, like Season 2’s Emmy award-winning choreographer Travis Wall. And Travis isn’t the only SYTYCD vet to leap from the stage to television and film.
Alex Wong
After pulling out from Season 5 due to contractual obligations with the Miami City Ballet, Season 7 front-runner Alex Wong suffered a ruptured Achilles five weeks into the competition, forcing him to leave the show.
Nicknamed Alex “Freaking” Wong by fans, Alex was poised to win the title of America’s Favorite Dancer by a landslide. Both dances he appeared in during his season won Emmys for choreographer Mia Michaels and choreo team Tabatha and Napolean D’umo, which made the news of his tragic exit all the more devastating. Since his time on the show, Alex has appeared in a slew of commercials, television shows and films, including Smash, The Greatest Showman, Annie Live, and Who Is Christmas Eve.
Kathryn McCormick
Placing highest of any female contestant featured on Season 6, Kathryn placed third overall. Fans fell in love with her exquisite lines and ability to master any genre thrown at her, no matter the choreography.
Kathryn’s overall likeability prompted producers to bring her back as an all-star from Seasons 7–13. Following her run on the show, Kathryn’s appeared on Dancing With the Stars, CSI, Fame, and Dance-Off. Most notably, Kathryn assumed the starring role as Emily Anderson in the movie Step Up Revolution.
Benji Schwimmer
Season 2 champ Benji won viewers’ hearts with the charming way he infused wit and showmanship into every dance he performed onstage. Emerging as more than an undisputed West Coast Swing champion, Benji swung his way all the way to the top of the entertainment industry.
Coming from a family of dancers (including Lacey, who competed the following season), Benji is one of the most decorated competitive dancers ever, establishing himself as a global phenomenon. Since winning the show, his stunning choreography has been seen on American Idol, X Factor, Dancing With the Stars, America’s Got Talent, and films like Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Joshua Allen
Season 4 was jam-packed with talent, all clamoring to claim the favorite dancer crown. However, it was hip-hop dancer Joshua Allen who ultimately walked away with the prize.
After winning the show, Joshua has made a number of television and movie appearances, including Step Up 3D (with fellow contestant Stephen “tWitch” Boss), Footloose, Community, American Horror Story, and countless commercials.
Witney Carson McAllister
Witney is the gorgeous ballroom dancer who’s fiery technique and expert precision landed her as second runner-up in Season 9.
After SYTYCD, Witney returned to her ballroom roots, becoming one of Dancing With the Stars‘ best professional partners. She cha-cha’d and fox-trotted her way across the ballroom floor with notable partners such as Vanilla Ice, Kel Mitchell, Frankie Muniz, ultimately taking home the coveted mirrorball with Alphonso Ribeiro. In 2015, Witney was nominated for an Emmy award for her DWTS choreography the same year.
Comfort Fedoke
The street-style dancer from Dallas, Texas, popped her way into Season 4, ultimately placing eighth. Known her hard-hitting, bone-breaking style, Comfort wowed audiences by showing her soft side, as well as her ability to adapt to other genres.
Each week, audiences embraced Comfort’s dazzling showmanship and sparkling smile. Understandably, following her stint on the show, she was invited to return as an all-star in subsequent seasons. Since then, Comfort’s been making her mark on Hollywood, dancing and acting in television shows such as Glee, The Mindy Project and The Big Leap. She can also be seen in Honey 2, Step Up All In, High Strung, and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run.
Allison Holker (Boss)
At only 19 years old, contemporary dancer Allison Holker stunned the Season 2 audience with her emotional homages to storytelling with her body. Allison didn’t seem as if she was performing, she was living through dance.
After finishing in the second season’s Top 8, Allison returned as an all-star for Seasons 7–11, and again in Season 14. She also competed as a professional on Dancing With the Stars, as well as a slew of other television appearances including House, Make Your Move, Hit The Floor, Disney’s Fairytale Wedding, and HGTV’s Design Star. She also married fellow SYTYCD alum Stephen “tWitch” Boss.
Jeanine Mason
Season 5’s favorite dancer, Jeanine Mason seemed almost superhuman when she danced. The captivating brunette came roaring onto the program with technique that was not only near-perfect but downright entertaining.
Jeanine simply dominated the competition throughout her season, dancing every piece as if it had been scripted and winning her season of So You Think You Can Dance. It’s no wonder her transition from SYTYCD to shows such as Awkward, Of Kings & Prophets, Bunheads, Grey’s Anatomy were as breezy as her masterful pirouettes. Jeanine even assumed the leading role of Liz Ortecho in Roswell, New Mexico on the CW.
Stephen “tWitch” Boss
He may have ended runner-up in Season 4; but “tWitch” has certainly become America’s favorite dancer off the floor.
Having been previously rejected, “tWitch” pop-locked his way into the season in a last ditch effort to snag a golden ticket to Hollywood before he aged out of the show’s eligibility requirements. Hands down one of the most awe inspiring talents to ever grace the SYTYCD stage, tWitch has gone on to return as one of the show’s all-stars, made multiple appearances in the Step Up film franchise as well as an eye-turning role in Magic Mike XXL. He also landed an on-air role on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, eventually becoming co-producer before marrying dancer Allison Holker Boss.
Ariana DeBose
Before winning the best supporting actress Oscar in 2022 for West Side Story, Ariana DeBose was a top 20 contestant on So You Think You Can Dance. Even though many of her credits have been through theater, Ariana has multiple television credits on her extensive resume, including Blue Bloods, Hamilton’s America, Schmigadoon, Saturday Night Live, Human Resources and Westworld.
In film, Ariana appeared in Seaside, Hamilton, and The Prom. Her star already on the rise, Ariana turned in one of the most memorable cinematic performances of 2021, winning the Oscar for her portrayal of “Anita” in Steven Spielberg’s musical, West Side Story.
