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Utahn Jenna Johnson didn't win the 2013 edition of "So You Think You Can Dance," but she finished in the top eight. And that's a big deal for contestants.
Of the tens of thousands who auditioned for the Fox television dance competition, the hundreds who made it on the show and the dozens who battle to be named America's favorite dancer, only the top 10 perform on the "So You Think You Can Dance" tour that plays 42 dates across America in October and November.
"It would be nice to win, but getting to the top 10 is huge," Johnson told The Salt Lake Tribune shortly before the most recent season of "SYTYCD" concluded. "That was kind of my goal."
Mission accomplished for the 19-year-old Provo native. Johnson will join the two winners of Season 10 — Du-Shaunt "Fik-Shun" Stegall and Amy Yakima — along with Makenzie Dustman, Hayler Erbert, Nico Greetham, Jasmine Harper, Paul Karmiryan, Tucker Knox and Aaron Turner — when the "So You Think You Can Dance" 2013 Tour hits the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Friday, Nov. 15.
The dancers will perform routines that will be familiar to fans of the show, along with some original pieces. And demonstrate just how talented they are.
Johnson didn't win, but she couldn't have been more enthusiastic about being on "So You Think You Can Dance."
"It's the greatest thing ever," she said. "I've never been happier. I've never worked as hard and hurt as much ... but it's so worth it."
She said "SYTYCD" helped her "grow in so many ways. I can't even imagine what my life would be like if I didn't do the show."
And on the tour, there's the added bonus that nobody is judging the dancers' performances. Johnson, a champion ballroom dancer, got rave reviews from the "SYTYCD" judges but struggled to win over viewers. She repeatedly needed to be saved by the judges after ending up one of the dancers with the fewest votes from viewers.
"The hardest part is waiting to hear the results of the vote," she said.
Returning to Utah for the performance may be the easiest part. Johnson is expecting a big turnout of family and friends.
"It's so fun to see the community I grew up in supporting me," she said. "It's the best."
Twitter: @ScottDPierce —
When • Friday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.
Where • Maverik Center, 3200 Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City
Tickets • $32-$52, available at the box office and ticketmaster.com