Ashleigh performed a hip hop routine with Jakob. Ballroom expert Mary Murphy told Ashleigh, "You are a star tonight and I was constantly just drawn to you…I cannot believe how tight, hard-hitting, and believable your passion was in that dance.”
Top 16 - 11 / 10 / 09
Ashleigh took on a jazz routine with Jakob and a cane. Mary Murphy said that Ashleigh is getting better every week.
Top 18 - 11 / 03 / 09
Ashleigh Di Lello performed a Viennesse waltz with Jakob. Judge Adam Shankman said, "I'm absolutely growing to love you in this competition. You're really winning me over. I love watching you dance."
Top 20 - 10 / 27 / 09
Ashleigh Di Lello was paired with Jakob Karr and got to dance a Broadway piece. Mary said, "Ashleigh is more than just fine. That was phenomenal, sexy, sultry."
Meet Top 20 - 10 / 26 / 09
Ashleigh Di Lello danced a Latin ballroom number with Ryan and Karen. At the end of the dance, Ashleigh got to walk away with her man on her arm.
Las Vegas - 10 / 22 / 09
Nigel Lythgoe said that Ashleigh Di Lello was the most improved dancer throughout the auditions process. She was chosen to join her husband in the Top 20.
When I was young, my dance company called me “Energizer Bunny” – now they call me “Firecracker”!
Where do you currently live?
Orem, UT
Where were you born?
Provo, UT
What is your hometown?
Orem
How old are you?
26
Are you in school? If so, which one and how long? Did you graduate?
I graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU). I studied political science and history.
Are you married?
Yes!
Do you have any children?
Not yet
Do you have a job?
Yes
How old were you when you started dancing?
3
Do you have any formal dance training?
Yes: grew up training at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, and training with my professional ballroom coach from all over the world.
Have you worked professionally? If so, please detail where.
Yes: recently I did a show for MAC cosmetics in LA. Louis van Amstel’s “Ballroom with a Twist” Sept ’09 Jerry Lewis Telethon and in Texas, Louis van Amstel’s “Invitation to Dance” on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Louis van Amstel’s “Latin Revolution” in Salt Lake City.
If you had to categorize your dance style, what would it be?
International Latin Ballroom
What other talents/hobbies do you have?
I love to sing; I play the piano. I love sports – especially football. I love politics and love to cook. I love outdoor sports; skiing, cycling, boating, 4-wheeling, etc.
Who is your favorite professional dancer?
Yulia Zagoryuchenko
Does anyone in your family dance professionally?
Nope – only one: me! :)
Was there a family member or friend who inspired you to dance?
No – my mom always says I was dancing in her womb. I kicked her so much, she had bruises.
Have you performed in musical theater or in public functions as a dancer?
Public functions
What has been your most memorable dance experience?
My first big stage performance after being ill for 4 ½ years and a 1½ year back injury – it was my first big performance after 6 years out of dance.
What have you learned so far in going through the audition process for this show?
I’ve discovered my body can move in so many new ways. I’ve learned to push beyond all boundaries and inhibitions.
What are your favorite dance moments from movies, TV and/or stage?
Michael Jackson’s 1995 MTV VMA performance medley of some of his hits and the Latin/hip hop performance from SYTYCD Season 5 done by Dmitry and Napoleon & Tabitha
Which choreographers would you like to work with?
All of them! I want to experience as many different styles as possible. Louis van Amstel, Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, Napoleon, and Tabitha.
Have you worked with any notable choreographers? If so, who?
Louis van Amstel, Alex Magno
What style do you hope to pick out of the hat? Which style of dance are you afraid to get?
Latin! :) Broadway. I’m afraid of not giving full justice to the contemporary or hip hop choreography. Hopefully I can!
Is there a particular type of dance that you don’t know but want to learn?
I think disco would be really fun and I would love to dance more contemporary.
Which So You Think You Can Dance alumni do you look up to and why?
I look up to both Chelsie Hightower and Lacey Schwimmer for how well they did as ballroom dancers adapting to the other styles. I hope to follow in their footsteps, but go all the way to the end! :)
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope to improve my dancing in all styles of dance. I hope to gain greater knowledge, growth, close friendships, the experience of a SYTYCD tour.
What does making it to the Top 20 mean to you?
It’s a great blessing, privilege, and a miracle. To be dancing at all is a miracle because of the illness and back injury I overcame, but to have this opportunity is absolutely amazing. I am humbled, grateful, so excited, and ready to work my butt off!
What would you like America to know about you?
I am determined, optimistic, happy, silly, and so grateful to God for the gift of life and the ability to dance. I am thankful for each and every day and every time I get to do what I love – dance!
Ashleigh Di Lello began dancing at the early age of 3. After 5 years of company work in ballet, jazz, and hip hop, Ashleigh fell in love with ballroom dancing when she was 12 and became a DanceSport Junior Latin Champion and a United States Junior American Latin Finalist. At the age of 13, Ashleigh became very sick with a life-threatening illness that she would battle through for the next 4.5 years. After overcoming this illness, she suffered a serious back injury when trying to return to dance and spent the following year and a half in rehab. After an imposed six-year break, Ashleigh returned to ballroom dancing and has since become a 3-time DanceSport Amateur Latin Champion and a United States Amateur Latin Finalist. Ashleigh has performed and taught in 19 different countries and is now so excited to be in SYTYCD Season 6's Top 20 with her husband, Ryan! Ashleigh now hopes to show America her passion, love, and appreciation for dance and go all the way to the season finale!
