Pbmom's Blog

Day 1

L’il Buck joined Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe for this day’s auditions in Atlanta.

Mariah Reives, an 18-year-old from Sanford, North Carolina. I liked her. She was fun and sassy. Mary said she was an actress up there. L’il Buck did not want to blink. Nigel said her good technique and performance makes her a star. She is through to the next round.

Erik “Silky” Moore, age 26, from Orlando, Florida. I LOVE THIS GUY! His quirky dance gave my goosebumps. It felt like someone in a straight jacket. He moves on.

Kelly MacCoy, an 18-year-old, from Cincinnati, Ohio. It was entertaining but not anything that made me feel anything and her jazz-dance facial movements of a ballroom dancer which was strange to me. Nigel says she has a sway back. Mary says she has a lot of power. She liked her humor but it was too much in the face. L’il Buck likes the confidence. She gets a ticket to the next round.

Dragon House is represented by Christopher “Mr. Strange” Griffin, age 25. He was actually the one who put Dragon House together. He was very entertaining and gets through to the next round.

Conrad Dechabert, age 26, from Louisville, Kentucky was accused last year of dancing too much like a girl. This year–no way. That was VERY MANLY. I loved it. He looked like he was about to go into battle. Mary felt he was really talented. L’il Buck thought he was a strong dancer.

Taveaus “Dynamic” Woods, age 18, Las Vegas NV is Fik-shun’s best friend. Fik-shun is his inspiration. He was wonderful! Some spots could be a bit sharper, but when he was great, he was great. L’il Buck loved it. He said he could use a little work on his glides. Mary liked his use of the whole stage. Yes to choreography. But he was a no after that. His partnering skills need work.

Branden “Sideshow” Feimster, age 22, Detroit, Michigan, is also part of Dragon House. He is a fantastic dancer, but his emotional breakdown worried me. Nigel called him out on the fact that his original pop-locking looked more like pantomime. Mary said he was fun but she needed more. And then he blows it when he starts talking badly to Nigel. His mom looks like she wants to disown him at least momentarily. The members of Dragon House walk down to apologize for his behavior.

Day 2

Today, Mary and Nigel are joined by Jenna Dewan-Tatum for the judges’ panel.

Ricky Ubeda, age 18, from Miami, danced his piece for his mom. I like his personality. He is a funny guy. And I have goosebumps love the height on his jumps. Just wow! Nigel said he was super. He sees him going all the way in this competition (he is really that good). Mary thought it was hot and puts him on the train. The movement, the quality, the passion–he has it all. Jenna said he was amazing. He gets a ticket to go through.

After another montage of strong male dancers, the next featured dancer is Marissa Milele, age 18, from Nashville, who made it to the green mile last year. I am worried that her acrobats are trying to compensate for lower skills in dance and people say wow to those like a singer doing runs. It looked like I was watching floor exercises at the Olympics. Nigel thinks she is this year’s beast. She gets a ticket.

Then there was a montage of women dancers coming through. Elaine Kimble said that mom had a stroke at 43 and it changed the dynamic of everything for her. Elaine is a 26-year-old from Kansas City, Missouri. It was okay. It seemed rush. Mary felt she could dig deeper. Jenna agrees with Mary. Yes to choreography and is through to the next round from there.

ATL cranking Brandon “Crazy Legz” Jacobs, age 23, from Atlanta. That is some fast dancing!! He gets a pass to choreography but choreography proves too difficult for him.

Angelina Grantiz, age 16, from West Palm Beach had a lot of emotional connection to the song. Mary thinks she is breath-taking. She is through to the next round.

Cristina Moya-Palacios, age 18, from Miami. She gave me the biggest goosebumps I have had yet. Her dance was so full of emotion and technique. I don’t think I have seen another contestant move in that manner yet through the shown auditions. She is fantastic. No critique from the judges–just a ticket.

Kobe Swain: This small pint got woken up from a sound sleep but I am glad he was. I don’t think SYTYCD will be around when he grows up, but I hope some show is.  His father, Jerrod Swain, age 25, from Atlanta was a fantastic animator/popper.  Nigel wanted more.  Mary found it entertaining but wanted more.  It was a yes to choreography but he did not make it any further.

Dance Crews

Jungle Boogie or Control Freakz.

You know I think I might like this segment more if Justin Bieber and Nick DeMoura had more life to their presentation. It’s like a teenager giving a presentation in class. Infuse some excitement in your reading of the cue cards boys! Yes, I know, I just said something negative about Justin Bieber.