So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition reality show, which returned for its seventeenth season on May 18, 2022.
A 17th season of So You Think You Can Dance had originally been set to air in the summer of 2020, with a judging panel composed of series creator Nigel Lythgoe (his seventeenth consecutive season as judge), Mary Murphy and Laurieann Gibson. However, in June 2020 the show was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season was finally produced in the summer of 2022, now with an entirely different set of judges: freestyle hip-hop dancer Stephen "tWitch" Boss, who had been a Season 4 runner-up and Season 15 judge; entertainer and YouTube celebrity JoJo Siwa; and actor Matthew Morrison. Cat Deeley returned to her role as host for a sixteenth consecutive season.
In May 2022, Morrison was fired from the show, after having sent direct messages on social media to a female contestant that were deemed by producers to be inappropriate. He was replaced by actress Leah Remini, starting with the season's fifth episode.
On August 10, 2022, Alexis Warr was crowned "America's Favorite Dancer", making her the first ballroom dance contestant to win the show. (While Season 2 winner Benji Schwimmer was also a partner dancer, his specialty, West Coast Swing, is generally not considered a ballroom dance). Warr and fellow grand finalist Keaton Kermode who were paired as a couple from the first performance episode, only Kermode became the forty-second contestant in the show's run never to face elimination from being among the bottom six or bottom four contestants, and became the thirty-third contestant to be in the grand finale to never to face elimination from being among the bottom six or bottom four.
This was the final season to feature Stephen "tWitch" Boss, prior to his death in December 2022.
Auditions Initial auditions, for dancers ages 18 to 30, were due to begin in March 2020 but were postponed amid in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Auditions would likely be continued for this season during the delay. Those who were originally submitted in 2020 and could be getting an extended age limit to 32. Production was rescheduled for March 2022 including the start of auditions.
Choreography Round This season, the Callbacks/Academy Round was renamed the Choreography Round and took place over the course of one day, as opposed to one week like past seasons. The Choreography Round consisted of three rounds led by creative producer/choreographer, Mandy Moore. The first round had the contestants dancing in their own style, the second round focused on partner work and the third round was a group routine. 42 contestants made it to the choreography round and contestants were eliminated after each round until 12 remained to advance to the studio shows.
Contestants Top 12 contestants Female contestants ContestantAgeHome townDance styleElimination datePlacementAlexis Warr21Orem, UtahLatin BallroomN/AWinnerEssence Wilmington20Davenport, IowaHip HopAugust 3, 2022Top 3Ralyn Johnson18Walker, LouisianaContemporaryJuly 27, 2022Top 6Anna Miller18San Ramon, CaliforniaContemporaryJuly 13, 2022Top 8Jordan Betscher24Cincinnati, OhioJazzJune 29, 2022Top 10Virginia Crouse21Hammond, LouisianaContemporaryJune 22, 2022Top 12
Male contestants ContestantAgeHome townDance styleElimination datePlacementKeaton Kermode20Fairland, IndianaContemporaryAugust 10, 2022Runner-UpBeau Harmon23Kennesaw, GeorgiaMusical TheaterJuly 27, 2022Top 6Carter Williams20Sandy, UtahLatin BallroomJuly 27, 2022Top 6Waverly Fredericks20Washington Heights, New YorkContemporaryJuly 13, 2022Top 8Thiago Pacheco18Boston, MassachusettsContemporaryJune 29, 2022Top 10James "Lord Finn" Thomas26Chicago, IllinoisHip HopJune 22, 2022Top 12
Elimination chart
Contestants are listed in chronological order of elimination.
+ Legend Female Male Bottom 3/4 contestants Eliminated
Result show date:6/156/226/297/137/207/278/38/10ContestantResultsAlexis WarrBtm 4Btm 3WinnerKeaton KermodeRunner-UpEssence WilmingtonBtm 4ElimBeau HarmonBtm 4Btm 3ElimCarter WilliamsBtm 4Btm 4Ralyn JohnsonBtm 4Btm 3Anna MillerElimWaverly FredericksBtm 4Jordan BetscherBtm 4ElimThiago PachecoBtm 4James "Lord Finn" ThomasElimVirginia CrouseBtm 4
Studio shows Once again, the Bottom 2 vote-getters of each gender will face elimination & the judges vote, with one female & one male leaving each round. However, for the first time this series only the studio audience can vote for which contestant should remain in the competition.
Top 12 Perform Part 1 – The Male Dancers Dozen (June 15, 2022)
Group Routine: Top 12: "Bussin" – Nicki Minaj & Lil Baby (Hip Hop; Choreographer: Luther Brown)
In this round, each pair danced a routine in the Main Style of the Male Pair. This is the 300th episode of the show. No elimination took place this week. Couple Style Music Choreographer(s) ResultsVirginia CrouseHip Hop"Drop It Like It's Hot" — Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell WilliamsLuther BrownBottom 4James "Lord Finn" ThomasSafeJordan BetscherContemporary"Bob in the Rain and the Lizard of Hope" — Tom RosenthalMandy Korpinen & Elizabeth PetrinSafeWaverly FredericksAnna MillerBroadway"Dancing in the Dark" — Frank SinatraAl BlackstoneSafeBeau HarmonEssence WilmingtonContemporary"No More 'I Love You's'" — Annie LennoxTessandra ChavezBottom 4Thiago PachecoRalyn JohnsonJive"I'm Still Standing" — Elton JohnAlan BerstenSafeCarter WilliamsBottom 4Alexis WarrContemporary"Rome" — Dermot KennedyTalia FaviaSafeKeaton Kermode
Top 12 Perform Part 2 – Girl's Night Out (June 22, 2022) Group Routine: Top 12: "Aura" – Lady Gaga (Pop-Jazz; Choreographer: Brian Friedman)
Each pair will now dance the main style of the Female Pair. Two contestant (each gender: one female & one male) will go home at the end of the show Couple Style Music Choreographer(s) ResultsRalyn JohnsonContemporary"Mindless Town" — Roman LewisTeddy ForanceSafeCarter WilliamsAlexis WarrCha Cha"I Like It Like That (Uproot Andy Remix)" — Pete RodriguezPasha Pashkov & Daniella KaragachSafeKeaton KermodeVirginia CrouseContemporary"Eight" — Sleeping At LastJaci RoyalEliminatedJames "Lord Finn" ThomasJordan BetscherJazz"Can't Buy Me Love" — Michael BubléDominique KelleyBottom 4Waverly FredericksAnna MillerContemporary"exile" — Taylor Swift ft. Bon IverTalia FaviaSafeBeau HarmonEssence WilmingtonHip Hop"The One" — Mary J. Blige ft. DrakeMel CharlotSafeThiago Pacheco
Top 10 Perform – Around the World (June 29, 2022) This week, the Top 10 contestants were assigned new pairs & danced styles originating from different countries around the world Couple Style Country of origin Music Choreographer(s) ResultsAnna MillerSalsaHavana, Cuba"Don't Go Yet" — Camila CabelloJonathan & Oksana PlateroSafeCarter WilliamsBottom 4Essence WilmingtonBollywoodMumbai, India"Chikni Chameli" — Agneepath (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)Achinta S. McDanielSafeWaverly FredericksJordan BetscherViennese WaltzVienna, Austria"Fall On Me" — Andrea Bocelli & Matteo BocelliSasha Farber & Emma SlaterEliminatedBeau HarmonSafeRalyn JohnsonAfrican JazzNairobi, Kenya"Into The Light" — District 78 & Sean CheesmanSean CheesmanSafeKeaton KermodeAlexis WarrBroadwayNew York City, United States"City Lights" — Liza MinnelliAl BlackstoneBottom 4Thiago PachecoEliminated
Top 8 Perform – Turn Back Time (July 13, 2022) The top eight contestants were once again given new pairs & performed a routine inspired by a previous decade, as well as a solo in their own style
Duet Couple Style Decade Music Choreographer(s) ResultsRalyn JohnsonJazz1950's"I Want You To Be My Baby" — Georgia GibbsJonathan RedavidBottom 4Beau HarmonEssence WilmingtonDisco1970's"Boogie Wonderland" — Earth, Wind, & FireDoriana SanchezSafeKeaton KermodeWaverly FredericksPop-Jazz1980's"Straight Up" — Paula AbdulSean CheesmanEliminatedAnna MillerAlexis WarrContemporary1990's"I Have Nothing" — Whitney HoustonRobert Roldan (season 7)SafeCarter Williams
Top 8 contestant's solos Contestant Style MusicWaverly FredericksContemporary"Throne" — ASADIAnna Miller"Me and Bobbie McGee" — Janis JoplinCarter WilliamsLatin Ballroom"Bailar" — Deorro ft. Elvis CrespoAlexis Warr"Sax" — Fleur EastBeau HarmonMusical Theater"Big Spender" — Shirley BasseyRalyn JohnsonContemporary"Nicest Thing" — Kate NashKeaton Kermode"I've Been Loving You Too Long" — Otis ReddingEssence WilmingtonHip Hop"Look At Me Now" — Chris Brown ft. Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne
Top 6 Perform Part 1 – Starry Starry Night (July 20, 2022) Group Routine: Top 6 & All-Stars: "The Chain" – Fleetwood Mac (Contemporary; Choreographers: Mandy Korpinen & Elizabeth Petrin)
Since the judges could not reach a decision, no contestant was eliminated this week.
Couples Style Music Choreographer(s)ResultsCarter WilliamsBailey MunozHip Hop"Alive" — Lil Jon, Offset & 2 ChainzGabe de GuzmanSafeAlexis WarrAmy YakimaJazz"Escalate" — Tsar BEllenore Scott (season 6)Bottom 3Keaton KermodeEzra SosaJive"King Creole (Viva Mix)" — Elvis PresleySasha Farber & Emma SlaterSafeEssence WilmingtonKoine IwasakiContemporary"Slow Me Down" — Emmy RossumJaci RoyalSafeBeau HarmonLex IshimotoContemporary"Say I'm Sober" — Billy LockettTalia FaviaBottom 3Ralyn JohnsonComfort FedokeHip Hop"Blick Blick" — Coi Leray & Nicki MinajLuther BrownBottom 3
Top 6 Perform Part 2 – Quarter-Finals - Head 2 Head (July 27, 2022)
Trios: Top 3 Female Contestants: "Woman" – Doja Cat (Hip-hop; Choreographer: Mel Charlot) Top 3 Male Contestants: "Mr. Pinstripe Suit" – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Broadway; Choreographer: Dominique Kelley) Carter, Ralyn, & Beau: "Please Turn Green" – Teddy Swims (Contemporary; Choreographer: Chase Haley Bowden) Alexis, Essence, & Keaton: "Why Don't You Do Right?" – Julie London (Jazz; Choreographer: Jonathan Redavid)
Head to Head Solos New to the series, each contestant was paired against each other in a head to head dance off. The loser of each pair is eliminated. There were no judge's saves this week.
Round 1 Contestants Style Music ResultsCarter WilliamsJive"Proud Mary" — Tina TurnerEliminatedAlexis WarrCha Cha/Paso Doble"Do It To It" — Acraze ft. CherishSafe
Round 2 Contestants Style Music ResultsEssence WilmingtonHip Hop"Dior" — Pop SmokeSafeRalyn JohnsonContemporary"We Don't Eat" — James Vincent McMorrowEliminated
Round 3 Contestants Style Music ResultsBeau HarmonMusical Theater"That's Life" — Frank SinatraEliminatedKeaton KermodeContemporary"At This Moment" — Billy Vera and the BeatersSafe
Top 3 Perform – Semi-Finals – The Final Cut (August 3, 2022) Each contestants performed a duet with their fellow contestants as well as a duet in their own style with an All Star. Contestants Style Music Choreographer(s) ResultsAlexis WarrBollywood(w/ Keaton Kermode)"Jai Jai Siva Sankaraa" — Benny Dayal & Nakash AzizNakul Dev MahajanSafeContemporary(w/ Essence Wilmington)"Hero" — Mariah CareyChase Haley BowdenArgentine Tango(w/ Kiki Nyemchek)"Obertura" — Forever TangoLeonardo Barrionuevo & Miriam LariciEssence WilmingtonContemporary(w/ Alexis Warr)"Hero" — Mariah CareyChase Haley BowdenEliminatedHip Hop(w/ Robert Green)"Wipe Me Down" — Lil Boosie ft. Foxx & WebbieMel CharlotJazz(w/ Keaton Kermode)"Vibe Check" — District 78 & Leah LeviEllenore Scott (season 6)Keaton KermodeBollywood(w/ Alexis Warr)"Jai Jai Siva Sankaraa" — Benny Dayal & Nakash AzizNakul Dev MahajanSafeContemporary(w/ Audrey Case)"A Song For You" — Donny HathawayRobert Roldan (season 7)Jazz(w/ Essence Wilmington)"Vibe Check" — District 78 & Leah LeviEllenore Scott (season 6)
The Season 17 Finale (August 10, 2022) Each of the grand-finalists performed four times: a duet with a fellow Top 12 contestant of their choice, a duet outside of their style with an All Star, a solo and in a duet with each other.
Group Routine: Top 12 & Judges: "Instruction (feat. Demi Lovato & Stefflon Don)" — Jax Jones (Pop-Jazz; Choreographer: Brian Friedman)