Bravo's next reality talent competition series Step It Up & Dance has potential to become one of the cable channels gayest shows ever, which is not bad for a network that has brought us such series as Project Runway and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

Bravo has now revealed the 12 talented hopefuls competing on the new series, of which at least 4 contestents are gay - Michael, Oscar, Miguel and James (see photos below). The series will premiere on Thursday, April 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

On the show, the dancers will participate in challenges in a variety of dance styles such as hip-hop, burlesque or Latin in order to win the $100,000 grand prize. The weekly challenges are set up as auditions for performances that range from a music video shoot to a Vegas spectacular.

Step It Up differs from shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars by focusing on the world of professional dancing and is produced by Magical Elves, the production company behind Project Runway and Top Chef.

"Showgirls" and "Saved by the Bell" star Elizabeth Berkley will host, while Emmy Award nominee and Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell ("Hairspray," Legally Blonde") acts as the competitors' mentor, Zap2It writes. On the judging panel are director-choreographer Vincent Paterson ( Madonna's "Blond Ambition" Tour, Michael Jackson's "Bad" Tour) and choreographer Nancy O'Meara ("Hannah Montana," "High School Musical Tour").

The twelve contestants are:

- Adriana, 25, from Shrewsbury, Mass. (lives in Queens, NY)
- Cody, 27, from Surrey, Canada (lives in New York, NY)
- James, 23, from Charlotte, N.C. (lives in Los Angeles, Calif.)
- Janelle, 18, Modesto, Calif. (lives in Los Angeles, Calif.)
- Jessica, 22, from/lives in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
- Nick, 26, from Houston, Texas (lives in Los Angeles, Calif.)
- Nicole, 29, from Farmington Hills, Mich. (lives in Chicago, Ill.)
- Michael, 25, from Houston, Texas (lives in Los Angeles, Calif.)
- Michelle, 30, from San Diego, Calif. (lives in New York, NY)
- Miguel, 24, from Delano, Calif. (lives in Los Angeles, Calif.)
- Oscar, 31, from Bologna, Italy (lives in New York, NY)
- Tovah, 21, from/lives in Chicago, Ill.

Michael

Oscar

Last update: 02-15-2008 16:14