So You Think You Can Dance 2022 LIVE – Contestant shocks judges with emotional backstory during audition week
SEASON 17 of So You Think You Can Dance aired its second round of auditions Wednesday night, and one contestant shocked the judges with an emotional backstory.
Zyiasia Knighton shared that she is an EMT, ER patient care technician, and a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, all in addition to being a dancer.
"When I was about 10, my father was murdered," she said.
After her incredible performance, she told the judges that she became an EMT because when her father was killed, the EMTs responded to the wrong address and couldn't get to him in time.
The judges of this season include JoJo Siwa, Matthew Morrison, and Stephen "tWitch" Boss.
Cat Deeley has returned as the host, and the first episode premiered on May 18, 2022.
The show was originally scheduled to return back in 2020, but it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
So You Think You Can Dance is airs Wednesdays at 9pm ESTon FOX.
Read our So You Think You Can Dance live blog for the latest news and updates...
Show delayed due to Covid-19
So You Think You Can Dance was scheduled to return in 2020 but got delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In April 2022, the network announced that it would finally be back with all new judges and contestants.
It has since premiered and now airs Wednesdays on Fox at 9pm ET.
Who is Zyiasia Knighton?
Zyiasia Knighton shared during her audition that she is an EMT, ER patient care technician, and a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, all in addition to being a dancer.
"When I was about 10, my father was murdered," she said.
After her incredible performance, she told the judges that she became an EMT because when her father was killed, the EMTs responded to the wrong address and couldn't get to him in time.
Jojo Siwa's Disney World photo
Jojo went Instagram official again with girlfriend Kylie Prew after she posted a picture of them at Disney World.
"If you love something let it go, if it comes back….🤍♾," the photo.
Jojo Siwa relationship status
JoJo Siwa, 18, revealed she had a girlfriend during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on February 3, 2021.
Then on February 8, 2021, she said she had been in a relationship with Kylie Prew for a month.
Despite the romance, rumors began swirling that the two had broken up in October 2021 after Siwa posted a cryptic caption on Instagram. The star later confirmed the rumors.
On May 5, 2022, Siwa then confirmed that she was back with Prew.
The two were Instagram official again after Siwa posted a picture of them at Disney World.
Cat Deeley's net worth revealed
So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley's net worth is $15million, according to .
The outlet also reported that the host makes $60thousand for each episode of the show.
Returning host
Cat Deeley, 45, has returned as the host.
She is the only previously announced star to return for season 17.
She first joined the show in 2006 and has served as the host ever since.
Over the years, Deeley has also been seen on Lorraine, The Great British Menu, Live with Kelly and Ryan, This Time Next Year, Rachael Ray, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Who is Steven 'tWitch' Boss?
Stephen "tWitch" Boss, 39, is an American freestyle hip hop dancer, choreographer, actor, television producer, and personality.
He first rose to fame in 2008 as the runner-up on So You Think You Can Dance and later returned to judge season 15 in 2018.
Boss is also known for his role on The Ellen DeGeneres Show as a dancer, DJ, and co-executive producer.
He has also been seen hosting The Real Dirty Dancing and Clash of the Cover Bands.
Boss is a judge on this season's So You Think You Can Dance.
Who is Matthew Morrison?
Matthew Morrison, 43, rose to fame following his role as Will Schuester on Fox's Glee.
Over the years, he has also been seen in multiple Broadway productions and had recurring roles on American Horror Story, The Good Wife, and Grey's Anatomy.
Since 2014, he has been married to Renee Puente.
He will be featured on the show this season as a judge.
Who is Jojo Siwa?
JoJo Siwa, 18, made a name for herself after joining Dance Moms in season two.
The popular dancer, singer, and YouTuber, previously competed on Dancing with The Stars alongside Jenna Johnson.
The news of her new role as a judge came just days after she revealed she was in a new relationship.
Who are the judges?
This season's judges are JoJo Siwa, Matthew Morrison, and Stephen "tWitch" Boss.
The show announced that all of the judges are new this season.
How to watch
So You Think You Can Dance airs live on Fox Wednesday at 9pm ET, and also be available to watch through the network's website with a valid cable log in.
The show is also expected to be available to stream through Hulu, Tubi, and Fox Now.
Season 16 winner
The season 16 finale premiered in September 2019, and saw 19-year-old Bailey Munoz take home the prize.
At the time, he earned the title of America’s Favorite Dancer and won the $250,000 prize, as well as a spot on the cover of Dance Spirit magazine.
Since his title, Munoz, who is now 21, has gone on to continue his career in the dance world and even performed with the University of Kentucky's dance team.
When did So You Think You Can Dance premiere?
So You Think You Can Dance was scheduled to return in 2020 but got delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In April 2022, the network announced that it will finally be back with all new judges and contestants.
Season 17 of So You Think You Can Dance premiered on May 18, 2022.
When the show began
So You Think You Can Dance premiered for the first time in the US on July 20, 2005.
Dance styles featured on the show
The dance styles below have been featured on So You Think You Can Dance:
- Ballroom
- Eastern Classic
- Jazz
- Latin/Rhythm
- Musical Theatre
- Street and Contemporary Club
- Traditional Club
- Western Classical
Stephen "tWitch" Boss's net worth revealed
The dancer's net worth is estimated to be $5million, according to .
He has served as a co-host on The Ellen Degeneres show from 2014 until it ended in 2021.
His salary was reportedly raised from $500,000 per season to $1million after his first two seasons on the show.
Matthew Morrison's net worth revealed
The actor's estimated net worth is $10million, according to .
He reportedly made $80,000 per episode of Glee.
Jojo Siwa's net worth revealed
According to , Jojo has an impressive of $20million.
Jojo rose to fame as a cast member on Dance Moms' hit reality show between 2015 to 2016.
The show follows a dance troupe led by owner and chief choreographer Abby Lee Miller as they compete against their rivals in national competitions.
'Dance is an escape'
JoJo told that dance is her escape.
"Everyone always says dance is an escape, dance is a place where you can express yourself and I've always said that," she said.
"Dance is just the place to have fun and kill it and do good and do your thing."
Jojo on dancing
With her experience on reality tv, her musical fame and her entertainer status, JoJo finds refuge in dancing.
In an interview with the energetic personality credits her dancing skill to overcome emotions.
The dancing star said "the reason why I was able to overcome my emotions was because of my amazing coach and because of my dances."
Jojo's time with Dance Moms
During her time at Dance Moms, she recorded and released her first single, Boomerang which amassed more than a million views on her YouTube channel that boasts of more than 10 million subscribers.
Following her time on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, JoJo and her mother joined Abby Lee Miller's original lifetime show, Dance Moms, during the fifth season.
She remained on the show until season 6. JoJo returned to the series as a special guest mentor during its final season.
Jojo's dancing backstory
As a child, she loved to dance and sing. The Nebraska born entertainer was bound to be a star from the very beginning.
At 9-years-old, Joelle "Joanie" Siwa became a reality star when she competed on the Dance Moms spinoff Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition during its second season in 2013.
She became a household name winning the heart of fans.
JoJo's mother, Jessalyn Siwa was a dance instructor and taught her daughter her very first steps.
When to watch again
The next episode of So You Think You Can Dance will air next Wednesday at 9pm ET on FOX.
Multi-talented
She's an EMT, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, an ER patient care technician, and a dancer.
Judges react
"Thought it was incredibly beautiful," said Stephen. "The talent just knows no bounds at all."
"When you dance, you have a posture that comes across as confident, but not at all cocky," said Jojo.
"You showed everything you needed to show," said Matthew.
The judges voted yes to send her through.