Top 20 dancer leaves 'So You Think You Can Dance'

Billy Bell, who made judge Adam Shankman cry, is out due to illness

By Daniel Fienberg Monday, Oct 26, 2009 4:53 PM

Billy Bell of 'So You Think You Can Dance'

Credit: FOX

Just hours before the first Top 20 performances of the "So You Think You Can Dance" season, contestant Billy Bell has left the show.

A FOX statement attributes Bell's departure to an unspecified illness and says that Brandon Dumlao has replaced him in the Top 20.

"We are disappointed that Billy cannot continue dancing in the competition on the advice of his doctor and wish him a speedy recovery," states executive producer/judge Nigel Lythgoe."“However, we are fortunate that Brandon Dumlao has agreed to return."

Bell, a 19-year-old contemporary dancer from Florida, is also a student at The Juilliard School. "So You Think You Can Dance" viewers will recall that he was the dancer whose Vegas Week solo made judge Adam Shankman cry.

Dumlao is a 21-year-old hip hop dancer from Concord, California.

Bell will still be featured in Monday (Oct. 26) night's "So You Think You Can Dance" Top 20 showcase episode, while Dumlao will make join the Top 20 when the series airs its first two-hour performance episode on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.