Overview
#SYTYCD refers to So You Think You Can Dance, the Emmy-winning Fox competition series (2005-present) that brought contemporary, ballroom, hip-hop, and theatrical dance to mainstream American television, launching careers and influencing pop culture choreography.
Origin & History
Created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe, SYTYCD premiered July 20, 2005, offering a dance-focused alternative to singing competitions. The format featured dancers competing across multiple genres, from contemporary to ballroom to hip-hop.
The show aired consistently from 2005-2019, took a pandemic hiatus, and returned in 2022 for Season 17 (moving to Fox after briefly landing on Fox’s sister network).
Format & Impact
Multi-genre approach: Unlike pure ballet or hip-hop shows, SYTYCD forced contestants to master styles outside their comfort zones, creating versatile dancers.
Choreographer showcase: The show elevated choreographers to celebrity status—Travis Wall, Mia Michaels, Sonya Tayeh, and Twitch Boss became household names.
Emotional storytelling: Routines often tackled heavy themes (addiction, loss, identity), making dance emotionally resonant for mainstream audiences unfamiliar with concert dance.
Partner chemistry: The partner format created compelling interpersonal dynamics and showcased lifts, partnering, and trust.
Notable Alumni & Moments
Breakout stars:
- Stephen “tWitch” Boss (Season 4 runner-up): Became Ellen DeGeneres’ DJ, The Ellen Show co-host, and major choreographer before his tragic death in 2022
- Kathryn McCormick (Season 6): Transitioned to film (Step Up Revolution)
- Travis Wall (Season 2): Became one of TV’s most celebrated contemporary choreographers
- Fik-Shun (Season 10 winner): Hip-hop dancer who dominated with personality and skill
- Jeanine Mason (Season 5 winner): Became actress (Roswell, New Mexico)
Iconic routines:
- Travis Wall’s “Fix You” (Season 9): Addiction narrative
- Mia Michaels’ “Hometown Glory” (Season 5): Family separation
- Sonya Tayeh’s “The Garden” (Season 8): Dark, theatrical contemporary
Cultural Impact
Mainstreaming contemporary dance: SYTYCD introduced Middle America to modern/contemporary styles previously confined to concert halls.
Choreographer economy: Created financial incentives and fame for choreographers, influencing music video and tour choreography industries.
Dance education boom: Sparked increased enrollment in dance studios as kids saw dance as viable career path.
Social media engagement: Live-tweet culture during episodes built passionate fandom (hashtag often trended during broadcasts).
Legacy
While viewership declined in later seasons (competition fatigue, streaming era), SYTYCD fundamentally changed American dance culture. It proved dance could be prime-time entertainment and created infrastructure for dancers to become multi-hyphenate entertainers.
The show’s influence is visible in TikTok’s dance culture, where multi-genre versatility and storytelling choreography dominate.
Related Hashtags
- #WorldOfDance (NBC, 2017-2020)
- #DancingWithTheStars
- #DanceMoms (Lifetime)
- #AmericasGotTalent (dance acts)
Sources
- Variety: “SYTYCD Returns for Season 17” (May 2022)
- The Hollywood Reporter: “How SYTYCD Changed American Dance Culture” (2015)
- Entertainment Weekly: “Remembering tWitch Boss” (December 2022)