So You Think You Can Dance eliminated Billy Bell and Jose Ruiz and determined its Top 4 seventh-season finalists during last night's live broadcast of the Fox reality dance competition.
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Prior to Bell and Ruiz's eliminations, So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley had revealed that Lauren Froderman was the other member of the bottom threesome. While the judges usually only cut one bottom three finalist each week, this week's results show featured two eliminations due to last week's judges' decision to not cut anyone after Bell decided not to perform despite having been cleared by doctors, citing an unspecified knee injury.
"We are unanimous and this is probably the toughest decision we've had to make, ever, on this series." So You Think You Can Dance judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said as he revealed the judges' decision.
"Jose... we never anticipated this season that you would be as good as you turned out to be, and a lot of that is your personality. Without question, you shine. Billy... for the last five weeks you've been in the bottom three and we don't always understand why. We think that your slightly androgynous style is not connecting with America, but I have to tell you it is connecting with choreographers and artistic directors all over the country. You should be really proud of that."
"Lauren, [it's] the first time you've ever been in the bottom three ever... and Lauren, I have to tell you that we are supporting you this week and we are going to keep you in the program. Guys, I'm sorry."
Bell and Ruiz both handled their eliminations well.
"[I'll remember] just the experiences that [I] had and all the memories. that's what you can take with you. And definitely those guys [the final four finalists] right there," Bell said.
"I'm just so blessed to have just a new family of dancers and just to be so inspired," Ruiz added. "And it's just been an amazing experience and it's changed my life completely."
Now that the season's Top 4 finalists have been determined, So You Think You Can Dance viewers will completely decide the competition's remaining eliminations.
"[This] is our last decision for Season 7, as next week America will decide who goes through to the final and the week after that America will decide who their favorite dancer is," Lythgoe noted. "So this is the last time we make any decisions on this program this season, and I think we're all grateful for that."
During the results show, Lythgoe also announced that in addition to being crowned America's Favorite Dancer and winning $250,000 and a cover appearance on Dance Spirit magazine, So You Think You Can Dance's seventh-season champion will also be part of Gatorade's G Series advertising campaign this fall.
About The Author: Steven Rogers
