HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / REALITY TV

Who won 'SYTYCD' Season 18? Internet slams FOX after deserving dancer is robbed off title over 'stupid lovers angle'

'SYTYCD' viewers slam FOX and judges for Season 18 winner pick

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Anthony Curley, of Phoenix, Arizona, won the trophy and $100,000 prize for Season 18 of FOX's 'So You Think You Can Dance' on May 20. Viewers instantly flocked to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the chosen winner, as well as their desire for the show to return to its original structure.

Anthony became victorious in a final three-way dance battle. The host, Cat Deeley, said that the outcome was the closest in the show's history, which is strange considering that there were just three judges this time around rather than the usual practice of having viewers at home vote for the winner.

It appears that the solos divided the judges.

On Instagram, one viewer wrote, "Unicorn straight white male dancer wins…shocker, not. Madison was robbed. Clearly the best." Another user assured, "If America had voted he wouldn’t have won 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂."

On X, fans slammed FOX and the judges as they write, "So they robbed Madison for this stupid lovers angle? Because Anthony should have gotten third and they knew that. But nooo can't break up the lovers." Another person chimed in, "I'm so done with yall. So f*****g done. First yall do Madison dirty, because we all knew that Madison was supposed to win this, and now yall mofos gave the win to f*****g ANTHONY?!"

One user also tweeted, "Madison was NEVER in the bottom. She is a better dancer than Anthony hands down." A fourth user wrote, "I got to stop watching competition shows because what the heck was that??? Off pure fairness Madison should have won, but since she didn’t it definitely should’ve been Dakayla. Anthony was aight but really???"

What did the 'SYTYCD' Season 18 winner get?

Each week, participants participated in new, difficult dancing challenges that offered them a true experience of the industry, from appearing in a music video or a football halftime performance to going head-to-head on stage with a Broadway star. In the end, the judges decided their destiny. 

Eliminations were held weekly, with the top three finalists participating in the season finale, although only one received a $100,000 grand prize and the title of 'SYTYCD' winner.

Who is 'SYTYCD' Season 18 winner Anthony Curley?

Anthony, a dancer from Mesa, won Season 18 of FOX's 'SYTYCD'. Since 2008, he has received coaching in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and tumbling/acro dance, as well as performing training in voice, piano, and guitar.

Among his achievements and titles are the following: June 2021, Teen Male Radix Nationals; July 2021, NRG National Prodigy; January 2021, Velocity MVA Winner; and June 2018 for Dancer Palooza Beat Squad.

Who is the runner-up of 'SYTYCD' Season 18?

Madison Alvarado was eliminated following the duet round, despite receiving strong accolades for her jazz/funk performance; Anthony and Dakayla Wilson performed solos to secure the triumph. Despite the fact that Anthony, who sliced up his foot a little during his solo, and the other two candidates left everything on the stage in this round, Dakayla seemed to be the favorite among the judges because of her incredible improvement during the season. 

However, following a heated debate among the judges, the Season 18 victor was announced to be Anthony, naming Dakayla as the runner-up!