“So You Think You Can Dance” is down to its top four finalists – Gaby Diaz, Virgil Gadson, Hailee Payne and Jaja Vankova – so we asked our readers last week which of the 16 eliminated contestants they’d bring back if they could. As of this writing, two dancers have dominated the voting: 42% say they’d bring back street dancer Megz Alfonso, while 40% would resurrect Jim Nowakowski. Do you think America made a mistake cutting them before the finals? You can keep voting in our poll below, and make sure to predict who will win the season on Sept. 14.
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Nowakowski was an early standout on “SYTYCD,” consistently praised for his peerless technique, but while he excelled in technical ability, the judges sometimes took him to task for his lack of versatility. The ballet specialist struggled with hip-hop routines, and his well trained posture made it difficult for him to loosen up for less formal dance styles. After two weeks in a row of mixed reviews from the judges, America sent him home.
Meanwhile, Alfonso showed exuberant energy and personality during her run on the show, and the street dancer also demonstrated versaility when she was tasked with challenging, emotional contemporary routines. But her lack of training was ultimately her downfall. She performed a technically rigorous paso doble in “Top 8 Week” that the judges thought was too rough around the edges, and she was sent home the following week with Nowakowski, just shy of the finals.
But even though Alfonso and Nowakowski made it farther than most, our readers still want them back. Suffice it to say that together they have more than quadruple the votes of the other 14 eliminated contestants – combined! Ranked third as of now is Yorelis Apolinario, ousted from Team Street just shy of the top 10, with 3% of the vote. Team Stage member Edson Juarez, who was eliminated in “Top 10 Week,” is next with just over 2%.
Currently, our predictors say Vankova is the frontrunner to win, giving her 10/11 odds based on support from 52% of users. Diaz follows with 3/2 odds and 40% of the vote. Payne is a distant third with 20/1 odds and 5% of votes. Gadson is an underdog with 33/1 odds and 3% of votes.
There’s one last predictions event this season. The final four will performed on September 7 with a winner to be crowned on September 14, so you have until the season finale to predict the final outcomes: who will win, who will finish second, who will finish third and who will finish fourth.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ poll results: Gaby Diaz beats Jaja Vankova
At the end of each week, the eligible user with the highest prediction accuracy and most points will win a $100 Amazon gift certificate, so it’s beneficial to keep coming back often and making/updating your predictions.
Which dancers do you like (and dislike) the most? Are you rooting for Team Stage or Team Street? Sound off in the comments section below, and join the discussion in Gold Derby’s reality TV forum.
Photo: Jim Nowakowski performs in “So You Think You Can Dance.” Credit: Michael Becker/FOX
Photo: Megz Alfonso performs in “So You Think You Can Dance.” Credit: Adam Rose/FOX
