True Life: I Was on "So You Think You Can Dance"

Jazz cutie Alexia Meyer
wasn’t
new to competing when she auditioned for “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 12. In fact, Alexia—who trained at The Dance Club in Orem, UT—practically grew up on the comp and convention circuit; in 2012, she toured with New York City Dance Alliance as the Senior Female Outstanding Dancer. This summer, America watched (and voted!) as Alexia dominated Vegas callbacks and became a Top 14 Team Stage finalist on “SYTYCD.” But what’s it like being part of the show when the cameras
aren’t rolling? Dance Spirit asked Alexia to let us in on all the “SYT” secrets.

Monday, July 13 (Week 1)

We made it to sunny L.A.! The Top 20 flew out last week and settled in at the apartment complex where we’re all staying. Since today was show day, our call time was 5:15 am. As soon as we arrived on set, we got into hair and makeup. The whole hair and makeup team is amazing, but Dean Banowetz is one of my favorite stylists. In addition to being incredibly talented, he’s hilarious—his personality is as big as his beard! Every time he finishes my hair, we part by dramatically saying “XOXO.”

(courtesy Alexia Meyer)

This week, I was in the Top 20 opening number by Christopher Scott, a Broadway routine with Team Stage by Warren Carlyle and a jazz trio by Brian Friedman. I’d never danced in a pair of heels as high as the ones Brian put us in. It was hard, but I kept thinking about how this was going to be the first time America would see me dance—I wanted to do my absolute best.

In the end, performing on the “SYTYCD” stage for the first time was a moment I’ll never forget. And afterward, when I saw how proud Brian was of our trio, I felt like I could take on anything thrown my way.

Friday, July 17 (Week 2)

My body was really feeling it this week thanks to rehearsals for the Team Stage group routine, which was choreographed by Travis Wall and set to “Stabat Mater” by Woodkid. I loved the piece, but I was
really nervous for my big basket-toss in the middle of it. Being thrown in the air is exhilarating—and terrifying. I was supposed to try to relax my body mid-throw, but how can anyone relax when they’re 15 feet in the air? In one rehearsal, I was launched in the wrong direction and gave Jim Nowakowski a bloody nose! Luckily, we nailed it during the show itself.

Meyer and the rest of the “SYT” posse (courtesy Alexia Meyer)

Wednesday, July 22 (Week 3)

This week I was cast in a contemporary trio with JaJa Vankova and Derek Piquette, choreographed by Stacey Tookey. We started learning the piece today, and our rehearsal was filmed. Having a camera in the room has been an adjustment for me. It feels like my every move is being watched! At first, I got really nervous whenever I made a mistake while the camera was rolling. But Allison Holker, whom I admire so much, told me to just be my goofy self, which is great advice. Eventually I learned to focus on having fun with the incredible choreographers and dancers I was working with, camera or no camera.

Saturday, August 1 (Week 4)

This week, Neptune and I learned a piece by Dave Scott. I loved the crazy characters he created for us! But it wasn’t an easy routine. Neptune and I spent a lot of our free time—which means after 9 pm at night—practicing on our own. Back at the apartment complex, there’s a big hallway in front of my room that the dancers and I have dubbed the Rehearsal Hall. You can always find at least one group in the Rehearsal Hall!

This week, we also started working on
  Travis’ “ghost light” routine for Team Stage. We had wardrobe fittings, too—and oh my goodness, the ghost light costumes were so cool. Marina Toybina, our costume designer, is insanely creative. Whenever we go into the fitting room, she’s playing Spanish music. She says it’s the only thing that calms her down during all the craziness.

Sunday, August 9

(Week 5)

The weeks have flown by! Sundays are “dry block” days, where we work out all the blocking onstage. But when we aren’t blocking, we have time to bond with one another. It’s been really fun to hang out and goof around. I especially love it when we get to practice standing next to Cat Deeley, as if we’re listening to the judge’s critiques. Cat always keeps things entertaining with her witty comments. She really is as kind as she seems on TV!

Team Stage rocking Sonya Tayeh’s powerful group number (Photo by Adam Rose, courtesy FOX)

But we bond during serious moments, too. Today we finished practicing Sonya Tayeh’s intense group routine, and by the end of the rehearsal, we were all in tears. It was such a powerful moment.

Monday, August 10 (Week 5)

Tonight marked my final “SYT” performance as a contestant, but I’m so grateful that Sonya’s group piece was my last before being eliminated. Working with her has been such an enlightening process. I also can’t believe that after all these years of watching the show, I got to perform on it. I can’t wait for the adventures ahead. I know this is only the beginning!