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3 Utahns make top 20 in ‘So You Think You Can Dance’

Posted at 7:18 PM, Jun 25, 2013
and last updated 2013-06-26 01:54:35-04

OGDEN, Utah -- It's a dream come true for three Utah dancers:  They're among the top 20 finalists in Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance."

Supporters held a viewing party for 19 year-old Malece Miller Tuesday night.

She's from South Weber and family, friends and fellow dancers cheered her on at Steiny's Family Sports Grill in Ogden.  They voted for "America's favorite dancer", hoping Malece will take the top prize. This is her second attempt at "So You Think You Can Dance."

Matt Miller, Malece’s father, said it’s exciting to see his daughter on  the show.

"It's hard to even breathe when she's performing," he said.

Matt Miller said Malece had become an increasingly skilled dancer through the show.

"Just amazing, even over the last 6 months, just how much she's grown," he said.

‘SYTYCD’ Judge Nigel Lythgoe added similar thoughts after the dancer performed a 1940s-themed jazz dance on Tuesday night’s show.

"Malece, I've been staying on your back about how you have to mature,” he said. “You've got to be stronger than this, you're not a little girl.  You were striking in that, absolutely fantastic.”

Malece  Miller showed no sign of last week's trauma.  During rehearsal in Las Vegas, one of her partners dropped her on her head while attempting a stunt.

"She still says her neck is sore but boy, she's tough," her father said.  "You can tell she's pretty resilient."

Jenna Johnson from Provo and Brittany Cherry from Pleasant Grove are also among the top 20 finalists on the show. The results from Tuesday's show will air next week.