Stillwater's Slavik Pustovoytov hitting his rhythm on 'So You Think You Can Dance' (2024)

Hip-hop dancer and 2017 Stillwater High graduate Slavik Pustovoytov learned Monday his dancing abilities earned him a spot as one of the top five men on the FOX television show “So You Think You Can Dance.”

The 19-year-old with dark hair and a muscular build will be competing for America’s vote in the top 10 during the live shows Mondays at 7 p.m. locally.

“So You Think You Can Dance” is a dance competition in its 15th season. It offers dancers between ages 18-30 the chance to show their skills in a variety of styles including hip-hop, ballroom and more.

Pustovoytov, who was born in Poltava, Ukraine, moved to and attended junior high and high school in Stillwater. He now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dadand Stillwater resident Jamie Schumann said Pustovoytov considers Stillwater his hometown.

“His passion for dance is off the charts,” Schumann said.

Pustovoytov started dancing in Ukraine in 2012 when hisdad asked him to choose an extra-curricular activity.

“He saw a hip-hop dancer on Ukraine’s Got Talent and was hooked,” Schumann said. “Within a year, he won the under-16 national hip-hop championship in Ukraine. His passion has only grown as he has gotten older. I’m happy he made the top five guys and hope he makes the top four guys. It is not based on talent anymore, it is based on likability and marketability.”

Pustovoytov spent five years training and growing at Thriller Dance Studio in Stillwater, winning numerous awards along the way.

He and other students from the dance studio performed at nursing homes during the holidays.

“The five great qualities of Slavik as a dancer are musicality, his ability to work with others, he’s an entertainer, a hard worker and a good choreographer,” said Kirby Payne, who owns the dance studio with husband Jerry Payne.

Kirby Payne said Pustovoytov changed a lot in the first years he danced at her studio.

“He was very introverted at first and is now very outgoing,” she said. “He was stubborn. I tried to get him to take other styles like ballet, tap or jazz but he refused.”

But she knew he had talent.

“I’ve believed in this boy from day one,” Payne said. “I told him I would do whatever I could do to make him successful.”

She brought in choreographer Robert Hoffman to help Pustovoytov and the studio multiple times.

By the time Pustovoytov was a junior, he had his own key to the studio and was practicing four or five hours a day, four or five days a week, according to Kirby Payne.

She is excited for Pustovoytov and can’t wait for Monday’s show.

“We love you and are so proud of you!”she posted online. “Please watch and vote for Slavik during the live shows.”

Twitter: @dbittonNP

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