2 BYU Mormons on SYTYCD
Emilie and I were chatting last night about all of the mormons that are on dance shows. It’s really quite amazing how many of the dancers on these shows are mormons. Granted most people don’t know and probably don’t care too much what their religion is (as so they shouldn’t), they just love the way they dance.
However, mormons do love seeing other mormons (don’t ask me exactly why). Plus, I have to admit that Ryan and Ashleigh Di Lello hit me from 2 angles since they’re mormon and they both went to BYU (where I went also). So, it’s fun for me to watch little things about Ryan and Ashleigh. For example, I loved the picture of Ryan in front of a mormon temple last night. Although, my wife gets credit for noticing it first.
On that note, it was fun to see the college (BYU) newspaper write an article about Ryan and Ashleigh. Check it out, it’s a good read. Here’s a few interesting quotes:
“In general, so much is out of your control [on the show],” said Ashleigh Di Lello. “The editing that takes place, you wish more could be shown about who you really are in some ways because there is such limited time beyond the dancing and sometimes people can form opinions. I think anyone who has been on TV could say that it is not enough time for people to get to know who you are.”
…
The Di Lellos met in a dance studio four days after he returned home from his mission to Argentina.“We considered dancing together but we felt we should keep the dancing separate from our relationship and just focus on our dating and courtship,” Ryan Di Lello said. “A lot of people say if you spend so much time with your partner you will eventually start dating and we didn’t want it to be because of dance; we wanted it to be because of us getting to know each other and falling in love with each other separate from dance.”
…
For a couple years, the Di Lellos performed on cruise ships and then decided they would settle down in Salt Lake City. Ryan began working at a financial services firm but they soon realized they were not ready to give up performing.
…
The Di Lellos heard about the “So You Think You Can Dance” auditions only a couple weeks before the judges came to Utah, so they began to prepare last minute.
Of course, you’d think with me being mormon and having graduated from BYU myself that Ryan and Ashleigh would be my favorites. They’re not. I love Noelle!
It bothers me that a couple with supposed high standards of modesty show so MUCH SKIN during their performances and the behind the scenes footage. I’m sure they could have SOME say in what they wear. I want so badly to support them, but can’t get over all the nakedness! I’m I the only one with this problem? Or are they no longer active in the church?
Hollie,
I’m not sure they show more skin than other people on the show. In fact, a number of times I’ve seen them wearing more clothes than many of the other dancers.
It’s a question that will likely never be answered. It’s a dancers “uniform” to dress like that so you can see the lines of the body, etc. I wonder how much say they actually have in what they wear. In the behind the scenes I’m pretty sure they have some say. Would be interesting to hear from some of the other mormons on SYTYCD about it as well. Take Randi for example. She had to do the butt dance. Think that made her uncomfortable? I’m sure it did.
If I was smart enough, when I interviewed Randi on tour, I should have asked to just do a quick “mormon” interview of her to ask all the mormon related questions. If I get a chance to interview Ryan and/or Ashleigh, I’ll be sure to ask all the mormon/BYU questions. In fact, I’ll request that they attend the press event if possible.
Not sure if they’re still active or not.