Tonight’s episode of So You Think You Can Dance Canada showcases the top 20 finalists. The talented young gals and guys have been plucked from across Canada and brought to the centre of the universe—Toronto, of course—to show off their dance moves. Among them is 22-year-old Taylor James from Vancouver.

James chatted with the Straight in a phone interview about the competition, contestant hookups, and why he’s more relaxed about it all the second time around.

Is this the first time you tried out for the competition?

No, actually I auditioned last year and went to the finals week, and then I got cut at ballroom and this year I came back with a different attitude and spent the last year training and working on choreography and putting my focus elsewhere in my dancing.

You say you came in with a different attitude this year—how so?

Well, I just went in with the attitude that it was something that I could accomplish and it was something that I was capable of doing, and I had that confidence backing me up and it really helped me get through the competition. Even if its false confidence, anything you can do will help. It’s so challenging getting up on stage with hundreds of other dancers and trying to impress four people on a panel.

Do you ever size the other dancers up and try and figure out who’s your biggest competition?

No, that’s what’s so funny; I’m not a competitive person by nature at all. I don’t look at people and think about them in terms of how they rank in my mind in the competition. It’s more that I want to challenge myself and push myself to see how far I can go. I think it helps too, to actually recognize that I’m dancing with some of Canada’s best dancers. I’m really grateful that I’m having this experience and that I get to dance along these young talented people.

Are you a little less nervous the second time around?

Totally. It honestly doesn’t feel like it’s happened yet, even though we’ve filmed segments and we’ve learned choreography but it still doesn’t feel like its happening. I think being in it you don’t have any concept of how huge of a deal it is for you as a dancer.

Why do you think shows about dancing competitions are so popular with audiences lately?

I think that people are really surprised when they see the commitment and passion that dancers have for their craft. I don’t think it’s like any other art form or trade that’s out there. All the money you’ll make as a dancer will go back to your dancing—you’re never finished, it’s always evolving and you evolve with it. It’s really strange in that regard but it’s also really amazing.

With 20 beautiful young men and women working and living in such close quarters, are there any scandalous hookups that happen?

[Laughing] Oh, we can’t even think about it, I don’t think they’re trying to make that sort of reality show. I’m sure that it happens but I can tell you it’s not happening here—I think we’re all too tired to think about it.

Are there any styles that you are most looking forward to or dreading to try?

To be honest, as much as I’m so excited to experience new dance styles and see how I can do at that and expand my movement vocabulary, I really am excited to have the opportunity to work within my genre and to work the choreographers they have on the show for contemporary and hip-hop. [Taylor is trained in both those dance styles]

On the SYTYCD Canada Web site, your profile lists your favourite dance movie as Showgirls. Would you like to elaborate on that?

[Chuckles] yeah I think that Showgirls is my favourite dance movie because”¦why is it my favourite dance movie? [Laughing] I just think it’s really funny, the acting in it is super corny and cheesy but the dance sequences, the drama, and Elizabeth Berkley”¦I don’t know there is a lot of things in that movie that make it great.