News

Jessica King Leaves SYTYCD Friday, July 18 2008

Buzzing news broke earlier this week that dance contestant Jessica King has left So You Think You Can Dance. “I would like to say how sorry I am that Jessica cannot continue dancing in the competition at the advice of her doctor," executive producer/judge Nigel Lythgoe said in a statement. "Her full recovery is paramount and will only come with rest.” King is being replaced by Comfort Fedoke, who was eliminated on last week’s episode along with partner, Thayne Jasperson. “We are fortunate that Comfort has agreed to rejoin the competition and know that under the circumstances she has Jessica's full support,” Lythgoe said.

Various U.S. laws prevented Lythgoe from elaborating on the nature of Jessica’s injury though it’s unclear why. However, she is slated to appear on this week’s episode and will explain what happened to the audience, and America. He gave no further details but did let it slip that one of the new couples this week would be Courtney Galiano and Joshua Allen.

It was also in the news last season of So You Think You Can Dance, that the show was filled with controversy after dancer Jessi Peralta missed a performance. She was rushed to the hospital but left the next day against doctor’s orders to be on the show. Because she missed a performance, the judges felt it was only fair that she automatically be placed in the bottom three, along with her partner Pasha Kovalev, who did perform without her.

Jessi then returned to dance her solo, only to be eliminated that night. Fans cried foul, the show defended itself, and Jessi was never heard from again. The show will go on, and hopefully without any further injuries or drama for our remaining contestants.