Alex Wong Steps into the Lead on 'SYTYCD'

So You Think You Can Dance has a new frontrunner!

When Alex Wong stepped onto the stage on Wednesday’s performance episode, everyone took notice. His lines were beautiful and his technique was flawless, but it was his display of emotion that brought the judges to their feet. Nigel Lythgoe told him he had set a new standard, Mia Michaels was shaking because of his brilliance, and Adam Shankman said he truly realized why the Miami City Ballet was reluctant to let him go.

“I just did my best,” Wong told PEOPLE after his performance. “The judges have been saying they want to see more performance and more personality from me, so I just tried my best.”

His best is better than anything seen on the So You Think You Can Dance stage “anywhere in the world up to date,” Michaels said.

Wong drew his strength from his partner, season 2 all-star Allison Holker, and said the success of their contemporary piece was just as much hers as it was his. “She’s such an amazing dancer and she gives so much so while I was working with her, she was able to pull that from me,” he said. “When I see my partner do that it just pulls me right in. That’s what made it so amazing.”

While Wong may have set the bar high for the season, his fellow dancers feel more inspired than threatened. “We’re happy for him,” said Adechike Torbert. “There isn’t jealousy. We don’t feel underrated. If he can do that then we’re all capable of doing that.” –Mussarat Bata

Tell us: What did you think of Alex Wong? Which other dancers are you rooting for?