So You Think You Can Dance Season 7 contestant, Billy Bell, took to twitter yesterday to defend his decision not to perform Wednesday night, despite getting the all clear from his doctor:
I would like to make it clear I did not “cop out” of the competition. I was in pain therefore did not want to risk injuring myself completely. Sometimes prevention is better than just “fighting through it” until you are actually injured. I believe I made a smart decision and I have no regrets. Sometimes you have to sit back and think about what could happen to you after the show as well guys…
Thank you to all of those who support me and I’m sorry if you believe I’m a “coward” but I don’t. I’m very happy and thrilled to be here next week. Can’t wait to bring it to the stage. Get ready america.
Like Alex Wong and Ashley Galvin–fellow contestants whose injuries sidelined them from competition–Billy was automatically placed in Thursday’s Bottom 3. During his critique, Nigel Lythgoe scolded him a bit for not dancing, even after the doctors cleared him.
The judges deadlocked on who to send home. The result? For the first time in its history, nobody was eliminated on So You Think You Can Dance. Two contestants will get the boot next week.
After seeing his fellow contestants sustain injuries that took them out of the competition–and in the case of Alex, maybe out of a career–I don’t blame Billy for listening to his body rather than a doctor, who may not have Billy’s best interests at heart.
