So You Think You Can Dance didn't air in the summer of COVID-19, but its legacy is still on the air every Monday night on Dancing With the Stars. It's even more impressive when you realize that the very first season of SYTYCD is represented with pro Artem Chigvintsev.
In addition to Chigvintsev, Season 10 is there on the ballroom floor each week with pros Jenna Johnson and Alan Bersten. Brittany Cherry and Paul Karmiryan are also showcasing their ballroom skills in Len Goodman's dance tutorial clips this season. And Season 10 of SYTYCD will make another big statement with Hayley Erbert performing with Derek Hough on the Oct. 19 episode.
And that's only Season 29 of DWTS that we are talking about here. SYTYCD has given DWTS 13 pros and/or troupe members over the years, who were full-time members of the show. Countless other dancers have appeared on the results shows, finales, big opening numbers and theme weeks. Even Season 13's The Next Generation brought forth two Dancing With the Stars: Juniors pros with JT Church and Jake Monreal.
What So You Think You Can Dance has proven is that it's the best dance boot camp around. Contestants move on to the professional world well prepared to take on the challenges of shows like Dancing With the Stars as well as a roller coaster of emotions that comes with a career in the arts. Whether So You Think You Can Dance returns to FOX in 2021 remains to be seen, but the intertwined history between the shows will always be a part of its legacy.
So You Think You Can Dance contestants who have become pros and/or full-time members of the troupe:
Season 1:
Artem Chigvintsev
Season 2:
Dmitry Chaplin
Allison Holker
Season 3:
Lacey Schwimmer
Season 4:
Chelsie Hightower
Season 9:
Witney Carson
Lindsay Arnold
Season 10:
Jenna Johnson
Alan Bersten
Hayley Erbert
Brittany Cherry
Season 13:
J.T. Church
Jake Monreal
Before you go, check out our hilarious interview with Lacey & Benji Schwimmer and their thoughts on dance in the era of COVID.
Don't forget we have a Dancing With the Stars Aftershow each week for Season 29. Come join us on Patreon!