For any of the dancers that have read the news about the contract for SYTYCD contestants (Adelaide Now, Daily Telegraph), or anyone that has received the email going around about the show, I just wanted to clear up any rumours or misconceptions the media is trying to play.

The contract does not ban membership of any unions, but it does provide a clause that any services supplied by the contestant are independant of union membership. The contract does allow contestants to continue working before and after the show. The clause implying this is concerned about television and media appearances on other networks. This was very clearly explained to all contestants in Sydney, and is enforced to protect the integrity and publicity of the dancers. This is a completely normal clause and applies to all television personalities in the industry.

Any offending provisions in the contract would be read down or severed, but otherwise the contract is definitely not illegal as it has been purported to be. Dancers shouldn’t be put off by what has been said in the media about this. The experience that SYTYCD offers is priceless and life-changing so keep training for it!