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So You Think You Can Dance — Season 10 — Los Angeles Auditions

Tonight’s judges are our resident judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy with guest judge, Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Contestant: Du-Shaunt “Fik-Shun” Stegall, Las Vegas Nevada, a street performer, age 18

He was so much fun. I loved the booty popping. He had a bright smile and a great attitude. What fabulous body control he had when he went down into that semi-backbend swirl-like move towards the end. The judges gave him a standing ovation. Straight to Vegas.

Contestant: Malece Miller, age 19, Salt Lake City, Utah, contemporary dancer

I like this girl. She is beautiful, radiates light, and has an awesome sense of humor. Her story growing up is one we have heard many times on this show. That backspring into a sit position took my breath away for a moment. And I am a big fan of her haircut. Straight through to Vegas.

Contestant: Paul Karmiryan from Glendale, CA, age 21, Latin ballroom. Won SYTYCD in Armenia. Hmmm. If you win in one country, should you be allowed to enter in another? I say no.

It was okay. It was crisp and sharp. He had nice foot work. If he had tried out for the first time without having won on another version of the show I would say okay. I have mixed feelings. Mary loved it. He is through to Vegas.

Contestant: Elijah Laurant, age 20, Los Angeles, CA

I was upset that they kept cutting away to the judges’ faces. Just as I was being drawn in by the craftsmanship of this extraordinary dancer, it would cut away. DRAT. Absolutely going to Vegas.

Contestant: Taylor Ward, Claremont, CA, age 20.

Oh my God. My heart just broke for her. She had given up her academic scholarships and sports scholarships to dance with the blessing of her grandfather who raised her, but passed away before he could see her try out. She was rehearsing during a break called by the judges and crack went the knee, a dislocation. And yet she still tried out. She has beautiful lines despite her injury and a beautiful heart. Yes to choreography and from there she was on to Vegas.

Contestant: Morris Isby, B-boy, age 28, Sacramento, CA

Impressive resume. I am reminded of Legacy a little bit. The kneel-crawl move was something I have not seen before. Yes to choreography, but he was close to getting a ticket to Vegas but still has some work to do.

Contestant: Armen “Armen Way” Avetisov, age 27, Glendale, CA

A Russian rapper who likes to make cheesy videos with women in bikinis washing cars. I don’t think I like this person. When he danced, it was truly all about him even though he was partnering with a beautiful woman. Self -worship I would call it. Sloppy foot work. I liked the woman dancing better but she was not a signed-up contestant. Mary loved him, however. Gave him an automatic ticket to Vegas.

Gr818Ers: The father was known as Papa Wiz a famous b-boy in the 1990’s. They stopped doing much of anything because he died unexpectedly when they were young boys. They founded the group to bring positivity back to the community. Trying out we’re Eric and Lorenzo Chapman, age 21 and 22 respectively, from Pacoima, CA. I thought it was wonderful. What tremendous role models they are. Nigel offered them help from Dizzyfeet Foundation.

The choreography round was with Marko and Sasha. It was so great to see them back again.

Tomorrow night: Detroit with guest judge Stephen tWitch Boss!

Update:  Day 2 of the LA auditions seen on Tuesday, May 21.

Brooklyn “Flex Dancer” (bone breaking, hat tricks and glides, animation) Nicholas “Slick” Stewart

This guy is not double-jointed–he’s multijointed.  I think he might be the modern-day reference of the song, “Rubberband Man.”  He is entertaining, but I would want him back for choreography to see if he could at least try to partner with another person.  Maybe Ringling Brothers is hiring.  The judges agree to send him to choreography.  But Slick was headed home.

Alex Kessinger, age 18, Riverside, CA.

Nigel is drooling over her.  I think there is too much rolling on the ground.  VEGAS

Sebastian Serra from Puerto Rico. It was good, not great.  He is going to Vegas.

Latin dancers Mariia Lebedeva and Misha Smagin are some of the few Latin dancers in the crowd and a heck of a lot better than Armen.  Mary does the WOOOOOO!

Emilio “Millie” Dosal. He is Phillip Cheeb’s friend.  Yes to choreography. He is going to Vegas.

Makenzie Dustman

It was a typical routine I thought.  There were lots of floor rolling.  I never connected to her emotionally.  She is going to Vegas