Judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Vanessa Hudgens all return to the show, which kicks off TONIGHT, June 4th @ 8PM ET/PT on Fox.
Reigning winner Lex Ishimoto and season 14 top four dancer Taylor Sieve both shared messages on their Instagrams for the next America’s Favorite Dancer hopefuls.
“What an experience. Just an icing on the cake from the whole journey,” Lexstarted. “BUT. It’s time to dethrone and a new winner must fight for the crown…… who’s taking it!?”
Tayloradded, “Reminiscing on this journey because I can’t believe Season 15 of @danceonfox starts tomorrow! Missing my Lex right now and I’m still so proud. But what an incredible experience I had on the show and with the people I love. Can’t wait to see what the new talent will bring this year. Good luck!”
Check out all the sneak peeks for tonight’s premiere below!
With the Los Angeles auditions happening this coming weekend, Lex headed to his Instagram Stories to send out some advice for those taking the leap and auditioning for the show.
“If y’all got something to prove, now is your chance. Let them know,” he starts out.
Lex continued, “But don’t be auditioning with some half-ass reason about going ‘just for the experience’ type bulls***. There’s other people that want the chance for the throne and don’t play yourself – you’re in the competition to win. Fight. Prove yourself worthy.”
And have the best time,” he added. “Accept this experience with open arms and allow it to change your life, if it does. Take on the challenges and evolve yourself. Game time. Good luck!”
So You Think You Can Dance is set to premiere in June on Fox.
Lex Ishimoto and Koine Iwasaki pull out their best dance moves for the photo booth after appearing on Build Series in New York City on Monday (October 16).
The two — who placed 1st and 2nd on So You Think You Can Dance season 14 — opened up about auditions, the run of show, and more.
Koine even shouts out Val Chmerkovskiy about teaching her how to salsa in under an hour, saying he was one of her favorite choreographers on the show.
Lex added that when he’s dancing with Koine, especially with the Broadway pizza delivery guy number, that “all I have to do is basically support her.”
He continues, “It’s really easy [with her]. She’s an amazing partner.”
The dancer, who hails from Irvine, Calif., opened up about that final moment and working with season 12 winner and All-star, Gaby Diaz.
“I felt really content with whatever was going to happen,” Lex tells JJJ. “This was one of the scenarios where it was out of my control, for all of us. I did what I needed to do throughout the competition and I was perfectly happy with whatever was going to be the outcome.”
Lex also says that working with Gaby was kind of a dream come true.
“It was amazing. She’s definitely one of those people who’s taught me a lot in this specific experience and I’m so grateful,” he says. “Just seeing her dancing is inspiring and I love her.”
In fact, Lex‘s favorite performance throughout the season was their tap number.
“I felt like it was just a classic, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers vibes and it was actually the only tap number throughout the show. It was a much needed to have tap out there and be seen.”
In fact, Taylor and Lex have been dating for quite a while and were on another tour prior to the show, which is where they met.
JJJ spoke to Lex after his big win and asked him about having Taylor by his side throughout the show.
“It was such a good thing to have,” he revealed. “Without her, I don’t think I would’ve been able to go through this show as much as I actually did.”
Lex adds, “Mentality wise, it’s such a grueling process and to have her by my side was a very calming and made everything so much easier.”
In fact, it wasn’t just Taylor who helped him through the show, but all the Top 10 dancers, especially Kiki Nyemchek and Koine Iwasaki, who rounded out the Top 4.
“It’s actually awesome. All four of us just connected so well together and we felt deserved to be in the Top 4,” Lex said of their friendship. “They all brought something specific to their own table and it felt amazing to experience this with them. They are such great friends.”
The two dancers, who are in the Top 4 with Kiki Nyemchek and Koine Iwasaki, performed a sweet number choreographed by Mia Michaels and showed off their love.
Some fans who watched the performance were surprised that Taylor and Lex actually kissed during their performance, and were even more surprised that they’ve been a couple for a while!
“I’m still out here fangirling over Lex and Taylor #SYTYCD,” one fan wrote.
Another adds, “I’m literally crying watching Lex and Taylor and knowing that they are in love.”