So You Think You Can Dance 2024 Recap: Auditions come to an end
It’s day three, the FINAL day of auditions for So You Think You Can Dance season 18. More dancers will vie for a spot in the top 10! Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Comfort Fedoke and Allison Holker serve as judges during the auditions. Cat Deeley hosts.
Eliminations will take place weekly, and In the end, it will be up to the judges to decide their fate The Top 3 finalists will compete in the season’s finale, but only one will win the $100,000 grand prize and be crowned the winner of So You Think You Can Dance Season 18.
Ali Deucher – 23 – Orem, UT
Ali spent last year performing for Katy Perry’s Las Vegas residency. At 16, her father went to jail for an illegal Ponzi scheme and her family lost everything. Her mother, however, made sure that she and her sisters kept dancing. She sewed costumes for their dance studio in exchange for free lessons.
Ali is an expressive and passionate contemporary dancer. The panel gives her a standing ovation. “I’m so moved by that,” says Allison. She compliments her leg extensions. Comfort says she testified everything on the floor. “You are exactly what choreographers are looking for,” says Maks. – 3 yeses
Jaylin Sanders – 20 – Los Angeles, CA
Jaylin, an energetic and likable guy, started dancing at age six. He looked up to the late tWitch as an inspiration. His dad taught him to pop, before moving out to Los Angeles to take dancing seriously. His teacher also does his hair!
“You probably want to see me bust a move,” he says before launching into his routine. Comfort loves his isolations. He dances almost like a stop action figure. “You have such a great foundation. I can see the bounce and the groove,” she says. Maks sees more empty space that can be filled in. Allison calls him a story teller – 3 yeses
Mariyah Hawkins – 21 – Dallas TX
Mariah auditioned for SYTYCD Jr. at 13, but didn’t get very far. She was very self-conscious at the time. And after becoming a more confident dancer, she is back to show how much she’s grown.
Her unique style involves body rolls and stretchy moves. Maks felt she didn’t represent herself in her dance. Comfort and Allison disagree. Comfort loves her rhythm and the bit of afrobeats she threw in. “You can dance,” she says. Maks says yes. “I never said it would be a no,” he insists. – 3 yeses
Cipher Goings – 22 – Seattle WA
Cypher click-clacks his way into the audition room. A tapper! He started at age 7 and now teaches where he learned how to dance. He hopes to be a good example for his students.
Cipher is obviously not a pro, but he dances with a lot of heart. Allison loves his personality. But “It didn’t feel like it was natural.” Maks thought the end of the routine was better than the beginning. Comfort loved his energy, but felt he lacked articulation. Maks and Allison say no, Comfort says yes
Anthony Curley – 18 – Phoenix AZ
He watched the show with his mom as a kid. They are close–she pushed, and kept him going even when he wanted to quit.
A contemporary dancer, the panel is excited from the beginning to the end of his routine and gives him a standing ovation. Maks is “still goosebumping.” Allison calls his jumps “stunning.” she didn’t want the routine to end. Comfort calls him “captivating.” – 3 yeses.
Lihi Catriel – 20 – Tel Aviv Israel
She calls her style “jazz/funk.” The dancer was born in Israel, but moved to the US as a baby. She was on tour in Europe when she found out about October 7 and the beginning of the war. Dance has become more important to her than ever.
She’s an energetic jazz dancer. It’s not hard to imagine her behind a pop star performing on an awards show. She was trained in all styles. Maks calls it full of personality, but wonders what else she can do. Comfort says “You showed a joy and peace through your dance.” Allison felt she didn’t create a moment. 3 yeses – Allison is reluctant. She wants something more.
Julian Carmolinga – 27 – Chicago IL
He’s studied both contemporary and hip hop and says he meshes the two styles together. He grew up around gang violence in Chicago without a father. Dance was an outlet that allowed him to heal. Now, he teaches kids to dance.
Julian performs an interesting combination of moves and styles. Comfort, however, doesn’t see much hip hop and was expecting both styles. Maks loved it regardless. Allison feels he made his dance too light. Despite the criticisms, he got 3 yeses. Comfort wants to see more hip hop next time.
Juicy Love Dion – 22 – Miami FL
As a boy growing up, Juicy hid her femininity, because her dad didn’t accept it. Drag changed her life. Juicy struts into the audition room in a blond wig, a sparkly hoodie and high heeled boots. SYTYCD has always been a childhood dream.
Juicy performs a sensual jazz routine. She’s a serious dancer and goes real quick from a handstand, flipped into a split! “I wanted that to keep going,” says Maks. Comfort is blown away. Allison compliments Juicy’s character and personality. “Full package.” Maks is “so happy” for her. “I hated myself. This person that you see here…I had to fight…I’ve watered myself so I can water others.” – 3 yeses
Next, it’s a montage yeses, before the last audition.
Victor Ramos – 30 – Pensacola FL
It’s his last chance at SYTYCD before aging out. At one point, he danced for the Beatles LOVE show. During the pandemic, he left a job and relationship.
After performing a tricky hip hop routine, the judges are enthused. Comfort could see his passion. Allison calls it “well done.” Maks asks if he’s still inspired to learn. Victor is! – 3 yeses
Next week, thirty-five dancers will face the toughest challenges yet, similar to what they would at real auditions while seeking a dance career. There will be two rounds of competition choreographed by Galen Hooks one solo round and the second in pairs. 35 will become 16 and then 10 as dancers vie for a top spot on the show.
