Originally from Haiti, Vitolio Jeune is the stunning contemporary dancer who hypnotized SYTYCD fans with his gorgeous eyes, smile, and movement. After speaking with him, we found out he’s just as beautiful on the inside as he is on the outside.

What’s next for you?
I’m already back in Miami, but I’m looking for an agent in LA. I’m going to keep dancing and choreographing, and get into modeling and acting too.

Why do you think you got eliminated?
I still have no idea. I don’t know what the judges’ criteria for elimination is. I was disappointed because I was enjoying the hard work. I didn’t expect to go so soon, but it was a great experience.

Learning the quickstep was…
A lot of fun! It was new to Karla and I, so getting it was really hard. I kept thinking, “I don’t think we’re gonna get this together”. We didn’t get it until the 2nd day. I think we did a really good job. I watched the tape a million times, trying to find the slightest mistake, but I realized that nothing was wrong. Jean Marc said himself that it was the best quick step he’s ever done. 

We loved it too. Would you have done anything differently?
I don’t know. Maybe I should’ve performed more? I think I performed enough, but maybe I could’ve done more.

How do you want America to remember you?
Well, as a great dancer, but also as kindhearted and as someone who cares about other people. Sometimes people get evil because it’s a competition. But aside from the stress, the partnerships that aren’t working, you have to fight to make it work and be nice to everyone.

What was your favorite piece?
I really enjoyed the group number that Mia did. And of course, the waltz and the quickstep.

How did the show help further develop you as a dancer? As a person?
Working with different choreographers and styles helped me grow as a dancer. Each one works so differently. I also realized a lot about myself. I learned how to be more patient.

What was your biggest obstacle on the show?
My partnership with Asuka. From the very first day, when we had to be brutally honest about who we wanted to work with, we talked and I realized that she didn’t want to work with me. I thought, “We have to make this work.” We opened up to each other and spent a lot of time getting to know each other. We’re both really different, so making our partnership work and finding a connection was the hardest challenge. 

How did Michael Jackson influence your career?
Michael Jackson is everything. He’s my hero. When I was in Haiti, and I saw his video for the first time, all I could think was, “Where did this guy come from? How can you dance like that? He’s a genius!” I got the passion to start dancing. I was about to go onstage that Thursday night, when my friend sent me a text about his passing. I thought it was a joke. Then I saw it on the news and I couldn’t stop crying. He’s been an idol to me.

Share the most valuable comments you received.
Well, there’s a few. Louis Van Amstel was very happy after our Broadway number, even though America didn’t really connect with it. And when Jean Marc talked about our quickstep, I felt great. I thought, “Finally, the judges are starting to see something come out of me.”

What’s your best show memory?
Making the Top 20. It’s an amazing accomplishment. Also, meeting everyone and working with the choreographers. I can only take good things away from my experience.

Any advice for our next gen readers?
Be yourself. Work hard. As artists, we’re never satisfied. But, you have to get to a point where you have to have a little bit of satisfaction. Keep pushing and never give up. Hard work really does pay off.

Vitolio Jeune belongs to the next generation. Wanna know how Karla feels about their quickstep? Find out here.