Update: Columbia native wins finalist spot on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’

A dancer from Columbia is a top 20 finalist on the competition show “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Kate Harpootlian, an actress and contemporary dancer who began her career training at the Columbia Conservatory of Dance, found out that she is advancing to the main competition, as aired Monday night.

Judges Nigel Lythgoe, Jason Derulo and Paula Abdul handpicked the 10 Stage dancers and the 10 Street dancers who have what it takes to win the title of America’s Favorite Dancer.

Harpootlian is a member of the Stage dancers team.

Harpootlian, daughter of former South Carolina Democratic Chairman Richard “Dick” Harpootlian, has performed with the Columbia City Jazz Dance Company, on the show “Dancing with the Stars” and on Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water” music video. She now lives in L.A.

She is the second South Carolinian ever to make it onto the show. The first was Jessica Careen King of Myrtle Beach, who made the top 20 on Season 4 but was forced to leave the competition early after sustaining an injury in week six.

“So You Think You Can Dance” airs Mondays at 8 p.m. Eastern on Fox.

This story was originally published July 6, 2015 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Update: Columbia native wins finalist spot on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’."