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So You Think You Can Dance Season 12 Top 16 Perform 2 Eliminated

15 08 2015

We are quickly making our way towards the finale where America’s favorite dancer is announced. I think all the dancers are reaching inside themselves to conquer those elements of dance with which they were least familiar. It has made for an exciting season so far.

Tonight’s group dance was choreographed by Nick Florez and RJ Durell to the song “Love is Free” by Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique featuring Maluca. What a fantastic way to wake up the audience in preparation for tonight’s show. I am always in awe when these dancers can learn things that have so many complicated fast moves. It shows such great effort on their parts to want to give the best performance possible.

Cat revealed who won most of the votes last week. Team Stage barely won with 50.5% of the votes with Team Street pulling 49.5% of the vote. Derek injured himself this week and won’t be able to perform. He may or may not be in danger this week but if he makes it through to next week, he will automatically be in the bottom 3.

Ray Leeper choreographed Hailee and JaJa in a jazz number. It is a song about female empowerment danced to the song “Endangered Species” by Dianne Reeves. JaJa held her own. Hailee brought more sexiness to the dance than JaJa and dug a little deeper to bend more, stretch more, and emphasize more. But JaJa represented a different type of woman I think; after all, there are so many versions of us. Nigel said they are two incredible ladies. Together they are a knockout. He said whether it is Hailee’s hair or eyes or the “hey look at me” mentality she has when she walks on stage, he has to focus on her. She is just a sensation. JaJa is one of the most interesting street dancers they have ever had on the program. She is growing in technique exponentially. Paula thinks the spectrum from where JaJa started from last year not making it to the choreography rounds to where she is today is unrecognizable. It is brilliant to watch the growth. She knocks them out week after week. Hailee has a radiance about her and they are drawn into the luster of her brilliance. It shines with her like a dance partner that never leaves her. Words that you cannot even describe. They can’t help but laser into her. It’s a beautiful gift. Jason thought it was a beautiful performance. He is so proud of JaJa. Her intention was there. The style of the dance was there. He cautioned her to be careful with her leg extensions and stretch a bit more because when both of their legs are up, Hailee’s leg is “way up here” and hers is “a little down here.” Hailee is coming out of her shell and becoming a star right before their eyes. Cat reveals the results from last week’s dances for them. Both of them are safe.

Dave Scott choreographed Neptune and Alexia. It is a crazy love story type of hip-hop dance to the song “Flex (Ooh Ooh Ooh)” by Rich Homie Quan. I loved this. I got goosebumps. Traditionally I get goosebumps to songs that touch an emotion in me. This pairing was perfect. Alexia was fantastic with her moves. She had great chemistry with Neptune. The added feature of a padded-wall prop made the routine so much more interesting. When things like this are introduced they are either a hit or a flop. This was definitely a hit. Their marks for the wall were perfectly timed singly and in duet. I totally got “crazy love story” from this. If I had to guess I would say Alexia’s character was more of the cray-cray part of the relationship. Paula gave them a standing ovation. Paula thought it was a fun, fun routine. Twerking up a padded wall was pretty creative. Both were committed to the character. They both had so much fun. It was sick, crazy love, whacky, insane, sensual, sexy and just weird and she loved it. Jason told Neptune he will be important to his team. He is a head runner and will steer his team over. Let sure he is leading his team. Alexia is getting better and better every week and keep it going. Nigel agrees Alexia is getting better and better every week. As Jason said, Neptune started quietly and every week is building himself slowly week upon week. America is crazy if they don’t recognize that. Based on last week’s dancing, Alexia and Neptune are both safe.

JJ and Derek got together with choreographers Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo for an Argentine tango. Since Derek can’t perform, she gets to dance with Leonardo. What a treat for her. The song is “Duo De Amor” by Astor Piazzolla. He really helped her get all those lines and high lifts. I think the chemistry was there. It was beautiful. The judges were on their feet. Jason said, “Girl, you brought sexy back, and all the judges didn’t know how to act.” He said it was unbelievable. She overcame adversity and she held her own. Nigel said from the first breath throughout the routine how sensual she was making it. If Mary Murphy were there now, JJ would definitely be on her hot tamale train. He teased her that Leonardo held her at the end for a bit longer and she was enjoying every second of that. She laughed in agreement. She was a credit to her team. Paula said it was beautiful routine. The most incredible, incredible transformation comes from her. It’s the whole 360. The grace and beauty of her extensions. She is like a young ingénue of maybe Natalie Wood and maybe Leslie Caron. It is lovely seeing her like this. Results from last week’s dance: JJ and Derek are both in danger.

Ariana and Jim were paired with Sean Cheesman who choreographed a contemporary routine. The story is about the ups and downs of dealing with depression. The song is “Everyone Wants to Rule the World” by Lorde. Interesting version of this song; I had never heard it before. It set the mood for the dance. The dancing was fabulous but I think Jim needed to dig a little deeper for the emotional connection. There is great despair in depression and it was more like he was playing a part versus experiencing it. Situational depression is different from chronic depression and trying to dig your way up from that. Usually dances like this will certainly give me goosebumps, but not today. Bummed. The judges were on their feet. Nigel said he thought they conveyed the brilliant message that Sean wanted to convey. Nigel said that dance is a great weapon in depression and dementia so if you ever feel this way, get up and dance. He said he didn’t know why the audience was not connecting with Ariana. Nigel felt Jim was not struggling at all. Paula said just when you think you can’t grow better or stronger, both of them are proving that each week. She thinks it is one of the best routines that showcased both of the breadth of who they are as dancers, and both the light and the shame of the depression, the light and the light—it worked beautifully, seamlessly. Ariana was keeping up with Jim step for step with him. Jason said he is blown away by Ariana for being able to dance with such a technical dancer as Jim and hold her own is unreal. He can never tell what team she is on. He said to Jim that he has never seen talent/technique like that live and thanked him. After hearing these comments from the judges, I wonder if the song is what threw the whole dance off for me. I was concentrating on the song so much (as the original is an all-time favorite of mine) that I was trying to wrap my head around that which held me back from fully experiencing it as they did. The results from last week from Cat: Jim is safe and Ariana is in danger.

Virgil and Gaby were teamed with Al Blackstone for a Broadway routine about two people on the streets of New York who think they know each other after they bump into each other to the song “Where or When” by Sammy Davis Jr. That was adorable and so much fun. I could picture them having a job on Broadway. Nigel was on his feet—wait all the judges! Paula said some wonderful things about the dance but turned to Virgil and said he is like a young Sammy Davis Jr. He can do it all and he is so wonderful to watch. She thought Mattel should slap their sign on the back of his behind and sell a million Virgil dolls. (Okay?) Paula said Gaby is impeccable. She is so well versed. It’s lovely to see how elegant and how amazing she is in this competition. Jason told Virgil he breathes life into every performance. Jason shares he went to college for musical theater and *this* (meaning the routine) is his thing. They both did an amazing job. He said the breadth of knowledge of dance that Gaby has is pretty amazing. He cautioned him to not let Virgil upstage her. He told her not to underestimate a smile. Her smile lights up a room. Nigel said he disagrees with Jason—they were both a fabulous power couple tonight. He said Broadway demands the best of you. When they go on those hallowed boards, you have to be brilliant every time, rain or shine, whether you are ill or fine, you just have to be brilliant and both of them were brilliant tonight. Cat told them they are both safe based on last week’s dance.

Asaf and Kate joined together to do a jazz routine choreographed by Sean Cheesman. The story of the dance is that Asaf and Kate ARE the in-crowd at the club. Kate unfortunately does not feel safe with Asaf who is having trouble with the lifts. The song is “Braveheart” by Neon Jungle. I guess thes choreographer and the team captains felt it was better to get the lifts out of the song. It was an okay routine. I feel bad for Kate. She tried her best to make the situation work, but I think what happened messed up the chemistry they might have been able to have—to connect better. Jason told Kate she has been a favorite of his in the past few weeks. Jason said they got a lot of heat last week for saving him and he does not regret it. He thinks, however, that he is in that danger zone. He does not think his performance saved him. Jason feels like Asaf is in a limbo. Nigel said to Kate that her technique has never been in question; it has always been about a connection. She really connected to him tonight and he hopes she did with America. Nigel said that he is constantly being told by his choreographers how hard he works. This was so much better this week than his cha-cha last week. He lived up to his name and he “danced his ass-af.” Paula told Kate she looks lovely tonight. She said what she was happy about was that there was no more fear; she trusted her partner; both of them worked very well together. She told Asaf he was there for his partner and it is like night and day from last week to this week. Cat announces the results from last week’s votes, they ae both in danger this week.

Marissa and Yorelis join together for a Christopher Scott hip-hop number. For the story, Yorelis gets to hypnotize Marissa to win her over to Team Street. The song is “Let Go” by Kezwik featuring Mimi Page. They make a great team. This routine is among my favorites tonight. This is when I like Christopher Scott’s routines. Nigel thought Marissa’s tumbling skills really came into this routine, although she was terrific. He warns her she has to be careful to get the same liquid flow to her body that Yorelis has. He echoed Jason’s words earlier that he does not know who is on whose team tonight. He thought Yorelis is so beautiful and sensational. Her whole body moves to the music. It’s almost like she hasn’t been choreographed. The music drives her body. Paula wants to compliment both of them. She thought Marissa just licked it up and acknowledged it is hard for a jazz/contemporary dancer—the animation is hard. The choreography was well thought out and very clever. This is where Yorelis shines. Jason thought it was a really good performance. He said that after seeing some of the performances today, it did fall a little short. He wanted them to be a little more intense, a little bigger, based on the intensity of the song. At times they nailed it and at times they didn’t. The little intricacies he thought they did well. For the size of the song, he didn’t feel like the performance matched. It was good but it didn’t blow him away. Cat said that Marissa is the final dancer in danger tonight based on last week’s routine.

Megz and Edson are paired for a contemporary dance from Talia Favia. The story is about temptation and being extremely intrigued by it. Megz is discovering temptation and is constantly being pulled back by Edson. The song is “You There” by Aquilo. GOOSEBUMPS. The expressions on Megz face and her technique considering she is Team Street is so impressive. All the judges were on their feet. Paula was in tears. Paula had bumps all over her arms and she is very taken with this routine. She thought Megz was truly amazing. She told Edson they danced—she didn’t know how it could be any better. Words cannot describe so she is going to leave it at that. Jason said easily one of the best performances of the night. He thought the struggling in the shirt was a concept that was so dope but it could easily go wrong. You had to have the right amount of desperation and he believes they accomplished that. He thinks this number will go into SYTYCD history. Nigel thought for the first time a shirt has come off in this show for a good reason. Cat shrugs and says, “So you say.” The image of how much we hide from each other in a relationship was captured beautifully by Talia’s choreography. He felt she and JaJa have become contemporary dancers. You’ve moved over to Travis’ team. He told Edson that Edson finds it hard to be passionate in his dancing sometimes, but he did not tonight. He really released his emotions so it was great to see. It was a beautiful routine as everyone has said. And since the dancers who are in danger have already been revealed, both Edson and Megz are safe.

Team Street dances together to choreography by Luam. She feels it captures the spirit of New York and the hustler spirit. The song is “Commas” by Future. They nailed it. It was wonderful. The judges were on their feet.

Next up is Team Stage choreographed by Travis Wall. The theme is ghosts of theaters past. The song is “Beautiful Friends” by Helen Money. WOW TRAVIS WALL! I love you! That was so wonderful. I think this is the third time Travis has choreographed his own group number. Time to “Step Up” tWitch!

Twitter votes save JJ and Derek (injured Derek—is that fair Twitter?—he is automatically going to be in the bottom 3 next week). The judges save Kate and let Marissa go. As far as the street dancers, the judges save Ariana; Asaf is leaving the competition.

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Tags: Al Blackstone, Alexia, Argentine tango, Ariana, Asaf, Broadway, Cat Deeley, Christopher Scott, contemporary, Dave Scott, Derek, Edson, Fox Broadcasting, Gaby, Hailee, hip-hop, JaJa, Jason Derulo, jazz, Jim, JJ, Kate, Leonardo Barrionuevo, Luam, Marissa, Megz, Miriam Larici, Neptune, Nick Florez, Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Ray Leeper, Reina Hidalgo, RJ Durell, season 12, So You Think You Can Dance, Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Talia Favia, Team Stage, Team Street, Travis Wall, Virgil, Yorelis
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance, So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance Season 12 Top 18 Perform, 2 Eliminated

1 08 2015

The opening number is Justin Timberlake’s “Let The Groove Get In.” Edson and Virgil were the ones who caught my eye tonight. I enjoyed that a lot. One of the better openers. It was choreographed by Reina Hidalgo and Asiel Hardison. Cat shared the results from last week’s show. Team Street had 48% of the vote and Team Stage got 52% of the vote.

Alexia and Derek and JaJa were paired with Stacey Tookey to perform a contemporary routine. The story is about bravery and how it takes on different forms. Derek is a war veteran; JaJa is a woman leaving an abusive situation; Alexia is a single mom. The song is “All Waters” by Perfume Genius. OH MY GOD. GOOSEBUMPS!!!! The entire song—goosebumps. I was almost near tears. Each one of them did a wonderful job, but JaJa and Derek affected me the most. Nigel said Alexia did a tremendous job. Seeing Derek relying on the girls and the girls on him was terrific. JaJa said she just started a new show for him—“Guess who is the street krumper”—because he would have never known. He said someone in his life told him to bloom wherever you are planted and that is exactly what she is doing. Paula said it always starts with choreography and she gets it right. She takes 3 separate unique dancers and blend them beautifully. They all danced beautifully tonight. Regarding Derek, she felt he really fell into the character and tonight so far was his best night. Regarding Alexia, she understands the height challenges and she is always going to have to stretch to be seen and she IS being seen. Regarding JaJa, each and every week she is morphing into a very accomplished dancer and because of that she is always going to have them in the palm of their hands rooting for her. Jason thought said it was beautiful. He felt like our country needed to see that. It was more than a competition—they were living up there. He agrees that tonight by far was Derek’s best routine. He felt like it was about the story and they delivered that tonight. The votes, based on last week’s dances: Alexia and JaJa and Derek are all safe.

Megz, Moises and Jim were paired together for a Team Street hip-hop routine choreographed by JaQuel Knight (who choreographed “All The Single Ladies” for Beyoncé). This dancer, however, is about standing up to the haters saying “whatever.” And appropriately the song choice is “Whuteva” by Remy Ma. Megz was the star of this. Moises was probably next best and Jim still struggled with being straight. Overall I enjoyed the routine quite a bit, and I have a feeling this might be my new anthem. I thought, too, it was clever that the song lyrics cued them in on what the choreography should be with the arms. Paula felt the routine they were given wasn’t necessarily technically challenging so the dance really relies on them filling in the spaces, committing to being in character and being over the top with the vibe and feel. She felt Megz did well but could even give more. Moises really needs to drop down into it like tWitch was saying. She felt the same with Jim but he was giving it his all. Jason thought it was cool. He said the first 75% she was giving it to him, but the last 25% she kind of dropped off. The guys were kind of like the brother back-up dancers. He felt this was not the guys’ best number and they struggled. Nigel agrees with Paula that it was more about the attitude than the steps. Nigel said it didn’t work. Megz gave it everything she had. He didn’t think Moises could be mean or cruel if anyone was kicking him about the stage, but he has to find that attitude. He didn’t comment on Jim. Cat shares the results from last week’s show: Jim and Megz are safe; Moises is in danger again this week.

Edson, JJ and Yorelis were next up to do a jazz routine with choreographer Tovaris Wilson. The song is about the push and pull of relationships. The song is “Restart” by Sam Smith. Edson owned the sexiness. The girls had no worries about their sexiness. They did a terrific job. Jason thought it was good and entertaining. Jason demonstrated to Edson what he was looking for—that he could be into the ladies at any time and not worrying about looking at one or the other. He encouraged him to be more free. Nigel said the girls were two of his favorite street kids this year. This was a nice way to bring the street kids into jazz with the groove. Edson needs to start using his sensuality into it now. Jason is right—keep your options open. Paula said this routine was all about the vibe. The two girls are little bright lights but they have to look at their techniques. We have to see pointed toes and arms with intention. Yorelis was more comfortable in this zone than JJ but they are both wonderful to watch. Edson was the dude; he was the stud; nothing more can be said. The results for last week’s dance puts Edson is in danger; Yorelis and JJ are safe.

Asaf and Marissa got together for a club cha-cha with Jean Marc Genereux. This is about the rock star coming into the room and the groupie fan. Twitch jokes with him that this week he doesn’t have to take him outside to talk to him and that is amazing. The song is “+1” by Martin Solveig featuring Sam White. Marissa was fantastic. You could really see Asaf struggling. He could see him thinking in his head about what he had to do and where he had to be to be a good partner that he totally left his hotness in the closet. This is a routine where he could have used his flirty nature to turn up the heat and if he had accomplished that all the little mistakes with arm positioning and many other things would have been overlooked. He had this little firecracker on his arm! Such a shame. I am glad he didn’t complain about the routine, now he needs to stretch himself. I have no idea why the audience gave them a standing ovation. Perhaps it was because of Marissa. Nigel said he didn’t know what club cha-cha was but it didn’t feel much like a cha-cha to him. I have to agree with Nigel. Towards the end there, I was thinking modern-day disco perhaps. He felt Marissa did everything that was required of her but instead of using him throughout the performance, she used the audience and she was supposed to be the “groupie” of Asaf (who he jabbed with that he looks like a rock star but doesn’t dance like one). Nigel complimented Asaf on how hard he did work this week. It is a journey. This was not a good routine for Asaf (comparing him to a caterpillar that will someday bloom into a butterfly). Paula said she could tell him about the cha-cha about not turning his hips in, not to be pigeon-toed with his feet, but forget all that. She looks at where he started and you can’t help but to feel completely changed to where he is now. It didn’t work for her either but he gets an “A” for effort. Regarding Marissa, the selflessness she saw in rehearsal didn’t come through in the final product and she agrees with Nigel. Jason said it is all about the connection. She didn’t have the same connection with him as she did with the audience and him; it came off as being fake. Regarding Asaf, he has to flex his muscles some to get some votes because he is going to have a hard time. Cat told them that Marissa is safe this week and Asaf is in danger this week.

Sean Cheesman choreographs Gaby, Burim and Ariana for an African jazz number that is what Sean calls the “Dance of the Blood Moon.” He says they are mystical creatures, like creepy animals. Indeed they looked like creepy spiders when the dance began to the song “Gorilla” by Lord Kraven. I would say Ariana was the star of that dance followed very closely by Gaby, but props to Burmin who held his own. He was worried about not getting it, but I think he got it. I loved the standing back rolls the ladies did. Did it give me goosebumps? No. But I think so far it was my second favorite dance of the night. Paula said it was a very strong routine. Paula said to Burim “I loved watching your package.” And Nigel interrupted and Paula realized what she said. She said the show is also about overcoming adversity as it is about getting constant praise. She loves to see the struggle and then they get to sit back with a smile on their face and say, “wow, you pulled through.” That’s charming, that’s exciting, and it makes them proud. Regarding the ladies, she said she knew they were strong but seeing them lift each other and throw each other—those two were fierce. The precision of dancing together was very well done. Jason said if Burim can’t find the foot, don’t let it not happen, just look down for it, because the audience doesn’t know that he isn’t supposed to look down. All in all Jason thought it was a really good performance. Conceptually it was one of the best numbers for him. Nigel said it was one of the best numbers for him tonight. Regarding Ariana, she looked comfortable in it. She was great and powerful in it. He can’t believe that Gaby is really a tap dancer. He is so proud of her. Nigel gave him some dancing pointers. Cat said Ariana and Burim are in danger this week and Gaby is safe.

Neptune and Kate teamed up with Justin Giles for a contemporary routine. It’s about a husband and wife saying goodbye not knowing if the husband will return from a dangerous job. The song is “Promise” by Ben Howard. I had such wonderful goosebumps. Kate improved with her emotional connection and Neptune—wow! He really dug deep. That was beautiful. Jason said that piece was beautiful. Choreography these days are a million steps, but this was not and they had to fill in the pieces and they did that beautifully. The chemistry was chilling. He felt like they were item and still feel that (just putting it out there). That was a grade-A performance. He felt Kate really came out of her shell. It was his performance from her. Neptune surprises him every single week. He doesn’t know who his favorite is this week but Neptune is kind of taking that spot. Nigel said he found it interesting and challenging. It was static in its movements but expansive in what it was trying to say as well. I was shocked when Nigel said that 10 years ago he would get complaints about a black person dancing with a white person (WOW—shocking). But he feels that so much was said in that routine and both portrayed it beautifully and complimented Kate on her performance. He has complained about her not releasing but she did this week. Paula said it was such a simple, beautiful concept yet so complex with emotions and both were able to deliver beautifully. Paula told Kate she was worried about Kate letting go and being vulnerable and she was just right. Neptune is one of the favorites. He is really showing the breadth of a dancer that he really is. Cat said that Neptune is safe. Kate is in danger.

Virgil and Hailee take on a hip-hop routine with Pharside and Phoenix number. They are robots from outer space. The song is “Runnin’” by Noahplause. WOW!!!!! I would have said Hailee was on Team Street. The moves were fantastic. I was blown away. Now, it didn’t give my goosebumps, but I think it was my favorite non-goosebumped-song. The judges were on their feet. Nigel said these two were the best two characters they have this year. Their personalities shine out beyond the little lights on their chest. Even though Hailee’s light has gone out she still….and Virgil came in and turned her light back on, still in character. That was a memorable routine. He thinks when they have a season 20 anniversary special, this routine would be on there. Paula said if they represent what aliens are, sign her up—she’ll go there. It was fantastic. It was crazy fun. Jason said he always knew Virgil was crazy, but he didn’t know Hailee was that crazy. If she is this good in street, he is anxious to see how far she will go. He had no idea. Cat tells them both of them are safe.

The group number for Team Stage was choreographed by Jaci Royal and it is about when you need help from people to overcome obstacles. The song chosen was “For My Help” by Hayden Calnin. OH MY GOD!!!! I’m in love. It looked like everything was timed perfectly and at times it took my breath away. I like that new choreographers are on board this year. It has added a different layer of depth to the show. The judges were on their feet.

Team Street is up next. Choreographed by Marty Kudelka (who was a nominee for best choreography in a music video and the 2007 winner VMA for best choreography in Justin Timberlake’s “My Love” video. Twitch said they have to be cooler than a polar bear’s toenails. The song is “Break Ya Neck” by Busta Rhymes. I enjoyed that, but liked Team Stage better.

The Twitter save goes to Ariana from Team Street and Kate from Team Stage. The judges save Asaf from Team Street (that is a mistake—Burim is a much better dancer). From Team Street, the judges save Edson. I think that was the right decision. Moises is a great dancer but Edson is the better of the two.

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Tags: African jazz, Alexia, Ariana, Asaf, Asiel Hardison, Burim, Cat Deeley, club cha-cha, contemporary, Derek, Edson, Fox Broadcasting, Gaby, Hailee, Jaci Royal, JaJa, Jaosn Derulo, JaQuel Knight, jazz, Jean-Marc Genereux, Jim, JJ, Justin Giles, Kate, Marissa, Marty Kudelka, Megz, Moises, Neptune, Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Pharside, Phoenix, Reina Hidalgo, Sean Cheesman, season 12, So You Think You Can Dance, Stacey Tookey, Tovaris Wilson, Virgil, Yorelis
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance Season 12 Top 20 Perform 2 Eliminated

29 07 2015

The opening song for tonight’s show is “Baila Como Yo” by District 78 choreographed by Pharside and Phoenix. The costumes were so colorful. It was very, very impressive.

Yorelis, Darion, and Hailee were teamed up with choreographers Jonathan Platero and Oksana Dmytrenko to do a salsa to the song “Blucutu” by Saamara. That was making me dizzy there for a bit. Hailee and Darion hit the complicated move but the crowd didn’t go as crazy as they expected. I think Darion was challenged by the dance. It is a very different style from ballet where you are needing to keep you posture straight. Latin dancing requires a completely different skill set. But also to be fair, he had to handle two female dancers for a lot of complicated and fast moves. The ladies did great. I think Yorelis had a better bit with the music. Jason felt like he nailed the jumped but missed he spiciness. He missed the sexiness this number should have had. Jason thought for Darion it was a little bit less than okay. Regarding Yorelis he thought she did a great job. He did not comment on Hailee and Hailee’s face looked like “why?” Nigel thought the two girls were fabulous. Hot and spicy. Darion said he saw what Travis was saying about him sleeping behind the wheel a bit. While the two girls were being spicy, he was like the yogurt in the middle that calmed it all down a little bit. He thought one of the lifts went crazily wrong but he carried on and maybe some people didn’t notice. Paula noticed but she applauded Hailee for the recovery. She felt the ladies were extremely hot. She thought Hailee’s trump card was her laser focus. She thought Yorelis was phenomenal. Paula just saw Darion’s thinking process instead of being in the performance.

Interestingly, they are going to give results if they are in the bottom right after they dance. Based on last week’s votes for last week’s dance, Darion is in the bottom; Hailee and Yorelis are safe.

Derek and Ariana are teamed up for a jazz routine with choreographer Ray Leeper. It’s a story about two people who come together to share in the pain and misery of losing a loved one to the song “Cry Me a River” by Michael Bublé. That was a fantastic pairing. No goosebumps but I enjoyed it so very much. Paula said it is so glad to see a plain old jazz routine. Paula thought she nailed it for being something completely out of her genre. Derek’s technique is perfect. But both of them need to work on performance with their face and with their eyes, how they can learn to communicate with each other with just some emotional connection. Jason agrees with Paula. Ariana’s performance shocked him. He agrees they need to turn up the performance with their eyes. Nigel said it was wonderful to see someone on Team Street dance like this. He said Derek was wonderful but he didn’t have to have the “peeling onions” face on all the time. Change the emotions. Cat Deeley shares that Ariana and Derek are both in danger in their bottom six.

Alexia, Virgil, and Megz were put together with Dee Caspary. The contemporary dance is about the beauty and love coming from the girls is toxic for Virgil. The song is “Until We Go Down” by Ruelle. You could tell Megz and Virgil were not in their dance style; however, they did pretty good to make up for performance what they lacked in technique. Did I get “toxic” from the ladies? Maybe in some of Megz movements, but not consistently. I saw a lot of pursed lips from Alexia. I did like her ending glance. Virgil is like Fik-Shun. His personality makes people drawn to him. However, this is my favorite routine up to this point since the opening of the show. Nigel said he liked this routine for many reasons. Nigel said that Alexia is so good they should be shouting her praises and she is slipping under the radar because they aren’t. Nigel liked her ending glance too. As far as Megz and Virgil—WOW, WOW, WOW! Paula said that Alexia was beautiful, she adored Virgil, and Megz? “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh.” Jason said they earned that standing ovation though and through. Virgil became one of the top contenders after that. Cat Deeley tells them all they are safe based on last week’s dance and last week’s vote.

Lily, Burim, Gaby and Edson teamed up with Nakul Dev Mahajan to do a Bollywood routine to the song “Dhol Baaje” by Ek Paheli Leela (Soundtrack). My new favorite of the night. They all did so wonderfully but you know my eye is always drawn to Edson. Jason enjoyed it. It had a lot of energy. He thought the “slap the booty” move was fly. Nigel thought the girls were terrific. He didn’t learn a great deal from the boys though. Paula enjoyed this number. Lily’s face tells a beautiful story. She is proud of Burim and he was right in the middle of cheesy fun. Edson said he could give a little bit more but his technique was wonderful and Gaby should just get off the stage (a compliment). As far as their place in the competition. Lily is in danger; Gaby, Burim and Edson are safe.

Asaf, Kate, and Neptune met up with Spencer Liff to do a Broadway routine. They are going to be musicians but instead of having instruments, their instruments will be their bodies. We are into week 2 and Asaf’s easy frustration level is getting old. Once again, he had to be pulled out by tWitch to be talked to. Twitch is frank that his attitude is disrespectful to Spencer that he is not trying harder. The song is “All About the Bass” by Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox featuring Kate Davis. I don’t think Asaf’s heart was in this dance at all which is quite a shame. He has been given a tremendous opportunity here and he’s blowing it. Neptune did a good job, but my eyes were with Kate. However, I think the song really showcased the depth of her experience. Paula said she thought what Spencer did was very inventive and he did a great job. Neptune was creative, committed, innovative. She is proud of him because he is really showing up. Kate said she is a stunning bass. She thinks she can turn it on even more. Dial up the notch more. She thinks Asaf gets the “most improved.” She said he needs to turn his opposition to choreography and make it his best friend. She told him he needs to enjoy the process because he will never have anything like this again. Jason agrees. He said Kate was gorgeous, like a movie star. Jason wanted her to give him a little more. He is proud of Neptune especially where he comes from. Nigel said that sometimes Kate’s coolness can be misconstrued as not performing. Her technique is beautiful but he wants a little bit more. He felt Neptune threw himself into it and he really looked like a jazz performer. He said to Asaf that a negative mind will never create a positive life. Challenges are opportunities. Cat said that Neptune is in danger; Kate and Asaf are safe.

Christopher Scott took on Jim and JaJa for a hip-hop routine. The story is about a man’s compassion for a woman for the struggles she has that a man does not. The song is “No Woman, No Cry (Live Version)” by Bob Marley and the Wailers. That was lovely! Jim did a great job. It was very fluid and had a lot of emotion in it. Nigel got very emotional when he was describing street and stage coming together like the positive and negative of a battery that makes things work. He loved Jim’s rounded shoulders. Paula said it was beautiful. They proved that if they show up, commit and are present, it works. It was beautiful execution. She loved JaJa’s softness. She loved Jim’s ability to let go of his core. Jason said it was an unbelievable routine. He said those two are stars and he would pay money to see that. He said he saw a dancer in Jim, not a ballet dancer. He said JaJa that the feminine and softness was a side of her he absolutely loved. After last week’s votes, both are safe.

Marissa, Moises, and JJ joined choreographer Ray Leeper for a jazz number. The story is that Moises has been seeing both girls and they show up to confront him. The song is “I’m So Sorry” by Imagine Dragons. THAT is now my favorite routine of the night. They were cohesive, hard-hitting, and you could not tell who was street and who was stage. LOVED IT!!! Jason said it was very good. He thought Marissa adding a smile was not appropriate. The story was that she should be mad as hell at him. The smiles kind of took him out of the story. JJ had a frown on her face that had no levels; the dancing was good. Nigel said Jason said it all. He felt like Moises parted those two women as Moises parted the Red Sea. He was very proud of his strength tonight. His technique? No one should discuss it (but he will). He had beautiful feet and beautiful lines. Nigel said to the girls that Jason is right—they had a smile on their face every now and again. The routine he loved. Paula said she had a slightly different approach. Starting with the ladies, she thinks that in ganging up together, there is a slight amount of rejoice in the fact that you are ganging up on him. Paula said that it is from a female perspective instead of a male. She thinks JJ is friggin’ kryptonite. She said to both ladies that she doesn’t want to see them looking down—she wants to see them inviting them in. For Moises, Paula said he took notes and she is proud of him. Cat tells them the results: Moises is in danger; JJ and Marissa are safe.

Last week Team Stage pulled in 54% of the vote from last week’s dancing and Team Street pulled in 46% of the vote so Team Stage won last week.

Christopher Scott and Phillip Chbeeb from season 5 teamed up for the group number for Team Street. It’s a story about balance. And ugh–Asaf AGAIN complaining, complaining, complaining. I’m seriously tired of it. The song is “Time” by Nathan Lanier. That was quite the ambitious routine. No one fell off the see-saw so that is a plus.

Team Stage is taking on a “God’s At War” theme, choreographed by Travis Wall, to the song “Stabat Mater” by Woodkid. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Goosebumps! I love you Travis Wall. It was incredible. The judges were on their feet.

The vote results time: Twitter saved Moises and Neptune from elimination this week. The judges decide to go with America’s vote on who they saved tonight. They decide to save Derek and Ariana. They say goodbye to Darion and Lily.

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Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance, So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance Season 12 Top 20 Perform Only

22 07 2015

Since I ran out of time to watch the Vegas Hell Week, I decided to just get into it with the Top 20 Performing. Both #TeamStreet and #TeamStage go on stage and perform to “Revolt” by Nathan Lanier choreographed by Christopher Scott and Jessica Lee Keller. It looks like they divided both teams into 5 guys and 5 girls on each team so that they can be partnered. That was exciting!

Team Stage are: Alexia, Darion, Gaby, Derek, Hailee, Edson, Kate, Marissa, Jim, and Moises.
Team Street are: Ariana, Asaf, Jaja, Burim, JJ, Neptune, Lily, Megz, Virgil, and Yorelis.

Bummer, Queen of Detroit did not make it. Asaf was not supposed to be here but Hurrikane injured himself and had to retire from the competition.

Three members from Team Street (Megz, Neptune, and JJ) team up with Dave Scott to do a dance that they are superheroes saving the streets. Dancing to “The Illest” by Far East Movement featuring Riff Raff. I loved it. They were all so strong, but if I had to pick the weakest link, it was JJ. Nigel thought it was a great opening. Megz is dancing good and looking good. Eddie changed his named to Neptune. He needs to bring some personality along with that long. Paula loved that Dave gave them the superpower feel. Paula said she needs to see that superhero characterizations all the way through. Jason thought it was good. He was a little let down by the performance. He thought it was good, but we are way past good. He felt like it lacked breadth in some places. Some movements were bleeding into the next movement. Megz tried to get her point across to vote for her to a camera that was not focused on her and it looked a little strange.

Three members of Team Stage, Moises, Gaby and Derek, teamed up with Stacey Tookey. Stacey said the routine is about finding your light and standing in that light. The song is “Luminous” by Max Richter. Goosebumps!!! Wow, Gaby is a tapper and is just bringing it. I felt like they were angels dancing for God. There were so many spots where someone could have gotten kicked in the head and they didn’t. It just flowed effortlessly. Paula said Stacey brings so much emotion into everything she does. The costuming was ethereal. She complemented all of them on stepping up their game. Jason said the performance was something for sure he would have paid to see himself. Nigel said that when they were in unison it was absolutely beautiful. The guys’ extensions were incredible. Nigel complimented Gaby for going outside her comfort zone of tapping and doing so wonderfully in the routine. Travis approves.

Christopher Scott choreographed the next street routine with Jaja, Burim, Asaf, and Lily. The song is “Easy (Switch Screens)” by Son Lux featuring Lorde. It was so hard to try to watch them all. It was good, but it didn’t wow me like the others. Maybe it was the song choice. I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with some of Christopher Scott’s choreography for the show. Jason thought it was beasty. Nigel thought after Stacey’s routine Team Stage was going to take the show but after this routine, Team Street has come through. Even though Lily’s strength is waacking, she should out to him. Nigel said to Asaf that if he is a good dancer and a good entertainer, too, he has the ability to win this program. Paula said this routine made her nervous. Chris had to choreograph for four different dancers and even though the boys are both b-boy dancers, they aren’t the same. She thought it was awesome, strong and powerful. They took Paula’s breath away. But Asaf had to have the last say (that might get him into trouble). Even though it was to compliment and thank his fellow dancers for working hard with him (because he had to jump into the spot). The judges teased him that now he is a judge. I know he was very confident in his audition which made him stand out, but now he has to learn humility to be part of the show.

Brian Friedman is back on the show as a choreographer. We haven’t seen him in awhile on the show. He worked with Alexia, Hailee, and Marissa. The song is “New Dorp, New York” by SBTRKT featuring Ezra Koenig. I would say Alexia is the person who stood out as having the most difficulty. While it seemed Marissa and Hailee were really putting all of themselves into the dance, Alexia seemed to be held back by something—maybe she did not feel comfortable exerting that sexy side or maybe it was something else—but Marissa and Hailee did a great job. Alexia did a lot of the pursing of the lips to appear to be sexy but it seemed force and, like Brian said, she had to get out of her competition mode. Nigel thought Hailee looked like a young Madonna. He cautioned them for a sexy kind of dance style. Sex straight out there tends not to be sexy, but a raised eyebrow, a look down the nose, the thing that just keeps people interested rather than just in your face. Paula said when you are given a powerhouse routine, it is the subtleties that make the dance. They all delivered but cautioned them to have that intellectual knowingness. Jason thought it is harder to have just a couple of steps versus many because you have to sell it. He agrees with Nigel and Paula about in the in-your-face sexiness and for a minute he thought he was in Miami.

The ballet dancers, Darion and Jim, were paired with choreographer Benoit Swan Pouffer to the song “Blood and Stone” by Audiomachine. That was a tough routine to get unison with in just the short amount of time they had to learn it. If I had to pick one over the other, Jim is the stronger dancer (very Alex Wong). It was not in unison a lot of the times it needed to be. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t anything that moved me to goosebumps. The audience was on their feet. Nigel and Jason were standing up. Paula said the amount of strength it takes. She hopes the costuming of them gets better, but they are tremendous dancers. Jason was floored by their performance. He felt like it was one of the performances that will be remembered just as Travis said and not because of their outfit. Nigel said Jim has amazing feet. He needs a little more light in Darion’s eyes. But technique wise it was so strong. They are a privilege to have on the show.

Yorelis, Virgil, and Ariana teamed up with choreographers Phoenix and Pharside for a hip-hop number for Team Street. The story is that Virgil is at the gate of heaven and he has to decide between good and evil. And what song would go perfectly with that routine? Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven” of course. I really enjoyed that. It was a lot of fun to watch. Jason said Ariana did her thing and held her own. He thought it was a dope performance. It was real fly. Nigel agrees with Jason. Paula said they were wonderful performers. They all had superhero qualities. Paula offered advice about taking those moments and turning them into a star-quality performance.

Edson and Kate are the last to perform and they got stuck with Travis Wall as their choreographer (sarcasm). I love Travis Wall. The story is about love that hurts people. The song is “Shaped Like a Gun” by Tailor. Goosebumps in the first 5 seconds. The move where her foot brings up his head was amazing. Goosebumps, goosebumps, goosebumps. I had to rewind and watch it again. It was magnificent. It was full of emotion. Nigel said beautiful dancing, beautiful choreography, but he didn’t understand what it was about. He didn’t get what the song was about from the emotions they were expressing on the stage today. There was smiling, then there was frowning. But I beg to differ. It was about a relationship that sometimes is really good and then sometimes it is really sad and bad. I don’t get moved to goosebumps without reason. Paula said there was some kind of void in the chemistry. She felt they were technically perfect, but there was something that was holding them back from giving into the routine. Jason agreed with what they were saying, and said to Kate when she has to push him, don’t just nudge him—really push him away because he can handle it. Live it.

Jason Derulo backed by the All-Stars did his new song “Cheyenne.” It was great seeing all that SYTYCD talent backing him up.

The next routine was the entire Team Stage with Warren Carlyle. He wanted to make a Broadway routine inspired by Bob Fosse. The song is “Body Language” by Queen. THAT was fabulous. To combine all their unique skills to be showcased into one cohesive routine with no prop failures and no costume failures. Wow. The judges were on their feet.

Team Street gets their chance to answer with choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon (aka NappyTabs). They danced to “Ready or Not Here I Come” by District 78 featuring Cheesa. I think it is much more difficult to get street dancing in total sync because there are so many moves that go on. The judges again were on their feet. The judges believe it went to Team Street tonight.

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Categories : So You Think You Can Dance, So You Think You Can Dance, TV shows

So You Think You Can Dance Season 12 New York Auditions

7 07 2015

The final leg of the auditions for season 12 were in New York. Virgil Gadson had auditioned in season 8. He had almost made it into the top 20 but got cut. He kept practicing and got a part in “After Midnight” on Broadway. He chose “Uptown Funk” to audition with this time for Team Street. As he got started, Paula whispered to Nigel that he reminds her of Fik-shun. He glides like ice across that stage which is hard for hip-hop. He has great star quality. Nigel said he set the bar for that day for hip hop. It was unique, great things in it, lots of different angles, wonderful personality. It was exactly what he was looking for. Paula said he was a like a day of Disneyland in a minute and a half. He is born to entertain. Jason said his technique was the dope part about it. It was amazing to watch. He gets a ticket to Vegas.

Alexia Meyer was up next trying out for Team Stage. The choreography had a lot of thought to it. I thought the eye wink was a bit odd. I really enjoyed the dance overall. Paula said she had great showmanship. The hardest thing for her is that she saw moments of great connection, and then she kind of went off and lost it a little, and then would fall back into it. Paula got booed! She thought nerves got to her. Jason got booed before he even started. He didn’t know if that was the end of Paula’s boos or the start of his. He thoroughly enjoyed it and he is not just saying that because they booed. Nigel enjoyed it, too. She gets three yeses.

Korey Cleveland had a tough road in getting to the audition. His dad was never there and his mom was battling her addiction. He, too, has struggled with crack cocaine to the point where he was incarcerated for 2 years in Missouri. Dance saved him. He would rather dance than do drugs. He said if he made it to 30 days clean he would come to the audition. He danced to Keys and Krates “Treat Me Right.” That was wicked. When he was moving his upper trunk around his head (or is that the head around his upper trunk) that was phenomenal. It has been awhile since I saw someone do that so well. Paula said she is proud of him because he proves you can live your passion and inspire people. Jason said he was inspiring. A lot of people can relate to his situation. He felt his passion. Paula and Jason both say yes. Nigel said that it is 2 months before Vegas. That means he is going to have to stay clean for 90 days. He said he’ll bring his 90-day key to show them. He gets a conditional ticket to Vegas.

“Hoofing” dancer Justin Ballasy wants to show what he can do to the song “Love Ain’t Gonna Let You Down” by Jamie Cullum. His tapping was insane. I didn’t see the tapping story translate into the song being played however. Paula said she felt like she just saw the movie “Whiplash” with tap. It was very impressive. Great timing, fast, clean. She didn’t know where the music and the tap made sense. Nigel asked him what time signature he was using. He said 4/4. Nigel said, no, and Justin asked three-four? That was Nigel’s complaint to him. He loved his tap and loved what he can do but it had absolutely nothing to do with that music. Justin said it was difficult to hear himself up there in his defense (not sure that was a good idea—the judges don’t like excuses). Nigel said he is so against people coming in and laying down machine-gun tap. Jason said it made him feel something—his heart started to race. But at the same time the musicality in it means so much to tap. If they didn’t say something, all the tappers out there would have been saying “What?” He is worried. He asks to do something a capella. They say no, but they say yes to Vegas.

The next auditioner’s family call him “Mr. Hollywood.” I smell trouble. Thomas Condello chooses “As Long As You Love Me” by Justin Bieber. He has some rhythm and some moves, but they were sloppy. The competition is fierce this year and he dances fine for entertaining, but not to win the show. All the judges were smiling but you know they are just going to thank him for making them smile. He said he did impressions, like Jason Derulo, and they invite him to show them. Paula said he has a lot of heart. He is not through.

Angely “Cookie” Deaza and Angela “Angyil” McNeal try out together for Team Street. I don’t know why they reminded me of Japanese robots that I saw on an episode of Almost Human on Fox. I loved them. Jason looked like he was really getting in to it (and, in fact, gave them a standing ovation). Jason said he would pay money to see that. Angyil and Cookie are a yes for him. Angyil is a yes for Paula. She thinks Cookie is limited in her style. Paula advises her to lift it and elevate it and get out of that monotone aspect and add character. She doesn’t think Cookie is ready. Nigel says a yes for Angyil and a no for Cookie for this year.

Allyson Wilcox works on the Vegas strip as a dancer in a show that is similar to Medieval Times. She is trying out for a spot on Team Stage. She chose “Wasting My Young Years” by London Grammar. Some of her moves I liked. I thought she spent too much time on the ground. Sometimes her lines were fabulous; other times they weren’t. Paula thought she had tremendous control. The start of her choreography was spot-on, but then she felt like her ability was far better than her choreography. Jason thought he saw things he hadn’t seen yet that day. Her arabesque was beautiful. Nigel gives her a ticket to Vegas.

One of the last auditions for this day was from a special man named Alain “Hurrikane” Lauture from Haiti. He chose Jeremy Joshua’s “Thinking About Your Face” to show his locking routine for the judges. His routine demonstrated a great command for choreography and the nuances of the music. He has a lot of talent. I was drawn to him. Employing the stairs as a prop to his routine was different in a smart way. Nigel liked it because it was fun. Paula thought it brought back the 1980’s fun and saw influences of Shabba Doo and Boogaloo Shrimp. All agreed his smile was terrific. He gets three yeses.

Kenya Welch and Connor Bermingham decided to audition together versus separately. They chose A Great Big World’s “Say Something.” Their decision proved to be the right one. I felt the choreography of the number as well as the performance of the number was something you would actually see on this show. I loved their emotion. Well done!!! Paula said she didn’t expect that and it was a very nice surprise. Paula kind of got lost in it. Nigel chimed in that it was one of the best they had seen all day. Jason thought it was awesome and a joy to watch. He said more like a fan than a judge. Both of them are through to Vegas.

As day two begins I am not sure who I like better, the contestant or his mother! Ryan Raffloer decided to try out without a partner in Latin ballroom to Tom Jones’ “Sex Bomb.” He was a surprise! I felt certain he was stoned out of his mind, but he turned into someone else while he was dancing. I could have done without the overindulgence in facial grimacing but his dancing for a Latin solo was unbelievable. I had a feeling Nigel was going to compare him to Dmitry Chaplin. Nigel thought he was excellent. It was over the top and too much but it is what you have to do when you are auditioning yourself. Paula thought he has this “je nais sais quoi”, a presence about him, it stands for something important. Jason felt he brought this grand presence. Jason thought “expensive” was the right word and Paula went “ooo”. He gets three yeses.

Bobby “Anime” Major dances to District 78’s “I Need an Explosion.” Wow!!! He is FANTASTIC! The judges were on their feet. There was no feedback; just a ticket to Vegas.

Eliazer Chapman brought “The Bronx” break dancing to the SYTYCD audition stage with a song from Madcon called “Beggin.” He had some really great moves. Nigel said it was raw and exciting. Paula thought it was entertaining. Jason said he was a strong b-boy and he wants to see what else he has. He is going to Vegas.

The next audition combines break dancing and ballet to form his unique style. Ian Williams surely doesn’t lack confidence as he dances to “Clocks” by Coldplay. His extensions and lines aren’t even there for his ballet. I saw no waacking. Jason looks like he is trying hard not to break out laughing. Nigel is a no. Paula said he is not ready yet. Jason said it was a no for sure.

Darius Drooh has a huge crush on Paula Abdul. She inspired him to dance. He chose Michael Buble’s “Cry Me a River.” He was fabulous. Jason said it was awesome. The choreography didn’t have a lot of the bing, bang, boom, but he liked the straightforward choreography a lot. Nigel said it was beautiful, but he just wanted the flow to stop every now and then. But it was magnificent. Paula thinks he has a beautiful technique and strength. Darius calls up a friend from the audience to do Paula’s “Coldhearted Snake.”

The last contestant of the day is Alyssa Guerrieri. Her grandmother was a dancer. Alyssa dances to “Take Me to Church” by Sofia Karlberg. She has beautiful lines and great personality in her dance. Paula said she is a breath of fresh air. Her technique was beautiful and her choreography was seamless and yummy. Jason felt her confidence was through the roof. Her acrobatics were right on. And it fit right in with the contemporary. Nigel said she is like a little ray of sunshine. Three yeses.

And this concludes the auditions for season 12. This gives Team Travis 114 hopefuls for a spot in the top 10 for stage dancers and 105 would join Team tWitch for a spot in the top 10 for street dancers.

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Tags: Alain "Hurrikane" Lauture, Alexia Meyer, Allyson Wilcox, Alyssa Guerrieri, Angela "Angyil" McNeal, Angely "Cookie" Deaza, Bobby "Anime" Major, Boogaloo Shrimp, break dancing, Connor Bermingham, contemporary, Darius Drooh, Dmitry Chaplin, Du-Shant "Fik-Shun" Stegall, Eliazer Chapman, hoofing, Ian Williams, Jason Derulo, Justin Ballasy, Kenya Welch, Korey Cleveland, Mr. Hollywood, New York, Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Ryan Raffloer, season 12, Shabba Doo, So You Think You Can Dance, Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, tapping, Team Stage, Thomas Condello, Travis Wall, Virgil "Lil'O" Gadson
Categories : So You Think You Can Dance, So You Think You Can Dance, TV shows

So You Think You Can Dance Season 12 Los Angeles Auditions

28 06 2015

Part of the programming was interrupted by the coverage of Tropical Storm Bill that was headed our way. However, it finished up by the time the first contestant’s audition started in Los Angeles. Asaf Goren does “Hebrew Breaking” as a style of dance. It was really interesting. It had an element of B-boy dancing that I don’t think I have ever seen before. Just when I thought he was done, he threw water on the ground and wowed me even more. All three judges were on their feet. Asaf was so emotional, he was getting all teary eyed. Nigel thought it was, in the British vernacular, bloody great B-boying. Paula thought he had a wonderful personality. Jason thought he is a star. He believes he is going to create something special that is going to change the world. He said sometimes people come in with that kind of confidence and it is off-putting, but after seeing him perform, he understands why, because it is the truth; it is not being cocky. Paula added that he danced from his heart and everyone could feel it. Nigel said he looked like a very young…and Jason chimed in Aladdin at the same time Nigel was saying Rock Hudson. He is through to Vegas.

Avo Karapetyan is formerly from Armenia but currently living in Boston. He came to try out for a spot on Team Stage with Travis Wall. He chose “Stay with Me” by Sam Smith. Instant goosebumps. His height was tremendous. His technique was terrific. The judges again were on their feet. Paula was crying. She said she would love to critique him but she cannot critique perfection. He is smashingly brilliant. Nigel thought he was a joy to watch. It was stunning. Jason said his hat went off to him. He was through.

Jana “Jaja” Vankova, an animator who made it to Pasadena last year but then got cut. Jason was already yelling at her. She is a tremendous animator. Right up there with Cyrus I think. I think she will give the Queen of Detroit a run for her money. Again the judges are standing on their feet for a standing ovation. Jason said that is bananas, that she became another being. He would pay money to see her. Paula thinks she is a perfectly wrapped gift that puts smiles on people’s faces. Nigel said it is a gift to watch her. She is through to Vegas.

Allen Genkin was trying out for Team Stage. He is a very young man who was diagnosed with testicular cancer and is now 3 years down the road from all of that. He chose “Land of 1000 Dances” by Will Pickett. I loved it. Paula said he lit up the stage with his high-energy routine. Paula was sarcastic about how terrible he was. It was so “off” in the right way, and that he was so fantastic, phenomenal, sexy, etc. Jason said before he started moving he knew he was going to be great. Nigel compared him to Benji Schwimmer. He is also through to Vegas.

A bunch of performers go through for Team Street. Brothers Illijaz and Burim “B1” Jusufi wished to join the team with their breaking moves. Some of their moves were typical moves we’ve seen before but some were unique. I think they deserve a ticket to Vegas, but I don’t think they’ll make the top 10. The judges liked it though. Nigel wasn’t sure why they had to take their t-shirts off to do their head spins. He thought they were incredible. Paula mirrors what Nigel is saying. Jason thought it was entertainment at its finest. They had a great connection between each of them and to the audience. They are through.

Mary Kate Lavoir called her dad out as a dance dad who bedazzles costumes. She danced a jazz routine to “As Long As You Love Me” by Justin Bieber. She is beautiful and definitely has star quality. She has great strength in her legs. There was a lot of self-glorification with the touching of herself that the judges have ridiculed them about in past seasons. Her routine was average. I think with a good choreographer, she could improve. I would say that most of her routine was about the self-touching and the rolling around on the floor. Nigel invites dad up to the stage to show his dad’s unique style. His name is Patrick (I like his name). He dances to “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul. Mary said she wasn’t feeling it; she has seen better at the kitchen table. Dad said it would be a long flight home. Paula thought it was the best walking she has seen. Jason thought he connected with Paula really well. Nigel thought he needed to be stronger. Nigel thought Mary, on the other hand, was tremendous. No for dad to Vegas but Mary will be going to Vegas.

Krump. I love krump. Krump started in 2001 in South Central Los Angeles. Krump was derived from clown dancing in 1992 (who knew?). I must have been asleep for that style of dance. The movie “Rize” inspired this next young man to get out of a gang and start dancing. James “B-Dash” Derrick hopes to take his game to the next level to make a career out of his moves. He dances to Glitch Mob’s “Animus Vox.” He threw some animation in there as well. He was on fire. I thought it was less krump though. Jason said he loved it because it is so different from what they are used to seeing. It didn’t feel angry but more like entertainment. Paula thought he was phenomenal. He is through to Vegas.

The next performer’s story was cut off due to more Tropical Storm Bill coverage. Shaolin from Mortal Kombat (?) was the song of choice for this ballet dancer. Jim Nowakowski owned that stage. It was like samurai ballet. Nigel compared him to Alex Wong. He felt they had the same strengths and technique. Alex was from the Miami Ballet; he is from the Houston Ballet (Woo-hoo Houston!). The performance was remarkable. Nigel thought it was one of the best dances he has ever seen on the show. Paula said he was exceptional. Jason asked him how many hours a day does it take to become a dancer like him. He replied “Forty hours?” They all giggled with that. Then he realized what he said and corrected himself saying eight hours. Jason felt it was amazing to have watched something like that. Jim obviously makes it through.

The last contestant on day one of the LA auditions was a young man with Down syndrome named Cody Carlson. He wanted to audition for Team Street with some freestyle hip-hop. Jason Derulo was his inspiration. Jason cheers him on. He is a terrific dancer. Jason said he is a born entertainer. Nigel shares that for the first time ever they are entering dance into the Special Olympics. Nigel is honest with him that this competition might not be the right one for him to be in because the dancers at this level are so technically trained, but he might be representing America in the Special Olympics. Paula said he is magnificent and not to forget that. Jason said he was an inspiration to him and a lot of people watching him. I don’t think Cody cared about a ticket to Vegas. He just wanted to hug Jason and it was a beautiful moment that made me cry. But Jason also hands him a ticket to Vegas.

Day two of the LA auditions commenced. Jacy Jordan was up first. When she was 7, she and her family were in a car accident. She was ejected out of the window despite her seat belt. She was bleeding to death and she might lose her leg. They told her she would never walk again but she refused to accept that. She is from Manvel, Texas? Wow! That is just south of Houston. (I looked up the story and it indeed happened). James Vincent McMorrow’s “Cavalier.” I really enjoyed her dance. It had a lot of emotion and wonderful technique. It was a great song choice, too. Jason said he felt attached to her because he had a near-death experience as well. He said he is not a crier, but he had to hold back his tears because that (her dancing) was such a moment for him. Paula said that dance, if you have experienced it, keeps you going through the hardest of times. She didn’t see any disability; she saw incredible ability. Nigel said the fact that she is dancing is, in fact, a miracle. Nigel said as far as Vegas, he was going to pass because he felt they had stronger dancers. Jason said yes and Paula said yes, so she is going through.

Jessica Rabone has a Japanese heritage and has been living in the shadow of her sister Becky who is a celebrity over there. Jessica decided to combine waacking and “house” for her audition. She had previously been in a battle with Comfort Fedoke, a contestant from season 4. She and Comfort were a team and they won the battle. Jessica has such a stage presence and has a face of a star. Her dancing was fierce! It was so fluid and–I’m not kidding–my dog while sound asleep was moving rhythmically to the song. When it was over, he stopped (he was sleeping). Nigel thought he saw a lot of Toni Basil in her. Jessica said Toni had trained her. Paula said she was like a mini superhero. She was representing quirky and fun with an amazing infectious smile and she knows how to work it and play her character well. She only suggested she incorporate more of a vocabulary with her movement but it was wonderful. It was very special. Jason said he loved it too. He was about to have some coffee but he had his fair share of caffeine right there–with a little cream, of course. Nigel said she lit up her stage. The smile lights up the entire theater. He thinks she needs more steps but this is not “so you think you can choreograph” so she is going to Vegas.

A group of female hip-hop dancers who were just hitting it hard on stage, and who I can’t wait to see in Vegas, all made it through.

Kareem “Anointed” Ali came with a unique dance style: All-style spiritual vibrational dance. I hope his dance style lives up to his hype. I’m not sure how this is different from the usual street dancing, but some of the moves were unique. The whole dance was indeed entertaining. Some of those moves made my biceps hurt. Nigel said what was great about him is that he was performing and his great personality came across. He did some really brilliant b-boy stuff. Paula said he has a gift. He dances in his own lane and that is what she is looking for. Jason said being a street performer you have to have a special something to stand out in a crowd. He brought that on stage. He lived up there. He is a gift. He gets a ticket to Vegas.

The last contestant is Brandon Armstrong. In 2012, he wasn’t old enough at that time and he was given a ticket to come back in 2013 but he went on a mission. During that mission he had to talk about Jesus from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. No TV. He was not even allowed to dance. He chose “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson. The year off did not harm his dancing ability in any way. He needs to back off on the facial expressions a bit. I think he deserves a ticket to Vegas. Jensen, his partner who is underage for the show, gets her own ticket to come back next year. Paula thought he was stunning. He has a lot of flair and wonderful style and is very well trained. Jason said his father said, “you gotta know how to handle a woman” and Brandon knows how to handle his woman. In ballroom you have to know how to dominate and that is exactly what he did. Nigel cautioned him on the mouth “oo” expressions. He also cautioned him on overextending in some of his lines. He is going to Vegas.

After four cities now 84 stage dancers and 84 street dancers were going to Vegas.

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Tags: Alex Wong, Allen Genkin, Asaf Goren, Avo Karapetyan, Benji Schwimmer, Brandon Armstrong, Burim “B1” Jusufi, Cody Carlson, dance at Special Olympics, Fox Broadcasting, Illijaz Jusufi, Jacy Jordan, James “B-Dash” Derrick, Jana "JaJa" Vankova, Jason Derulo, Jessica Rabone, Jim Nowakowski, Kareem “Anointed” Ali, Los Angeles auditions, Mary Kate Lavoir, Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Rize, season 12, So You Think You Can Dance
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance, So You Think You Can Dance

o You Think You Can Dance Season 12 Detroit Auditions

19 06 2015

The auditions move on to Detroit where 18-year-old Christine Shepard from Columbus, Ohio danced to “Settle Down” by Kimbra hoping for a ticket to Vegas and an ultimate spot on Team Travis. While I developed no goosebumps, I did find it very entertaining. I felt like she incorporated some movements of African jazz into her own eclectic jazz performance. It had so much personality and had Paula on her feet. Paula said she is a bright light, a breath of fresh air, hashtag everything. She adored her. Jason said it was a hell of a start. He thanked her for blessing the audience. The nuances were everything for him. It makes such a difference when you have the bing, bang, boom, and then you hit them with a little nuance, a little ornament. It’s those moments that make a performance special. He commented as well on the African vibe that made it a little different. Nigel said everyone has a light inside of them that there is something in life that will make them turn it on. Sometimes they don’t know they have it or what will make that happen, but she has it and it is shining out like a beacon. It was the little things like the side-split contraction, then the shoulders, and then the contraction. It was magical and a great way to start the day. Of course, she made it through to Vegas.

Animator Kenya Sutton is the Queen of Detroit, Queen of the Streets, S.O, Standing O, just O. She is almost as good as Cyrus. All three judges were on their feet. That is just so difficult to do (animation). Jason said now he knows why she is called Standing O because there is no better response than a standing ovation to her performance. The fact that she brought sexiness to animation he has never seen that. She made it hot, sexy and feminine, and that is dope. Paula said she is everything they have been looking for in this competition. She is unique. She is clever and witty, tongue-in-cheek, great flirting with Jason. She is pretty darn special. Nigel asked her why it has been so long since she came to audition. She was afraid of being overlooked. Before she would have had to go through ballroom and contemporary and she didn’t train yet in that. She wasn’t even going to fool herself. So Nigel says now that there is just stage and street side she is going to climb up and up that ladder. She gets a ticket.

Kelly MacCoy met Tyrell Noll in line at last year’s auditions in Atlanta who is now her fiancé. I think that makes two couples (tWitch and Allison Holker got married). She chose “A New Day Has Come” by Celine Dion. It was done well but there were only some moves at the end that made it special. It’s hard when you have other people like Christine. I think she deserves to go to Vegas because she will only get better. Nigel said that she reminds him of Ginger Rogers. She had fabulous technique, great feet, loved everything she did. He felt her connection with the music as well. Paula said what is special about her is that even in the moments where she is not dancing there is such a different emotional connection. She was outstanding. Jason said it was a stunning performance and he loved everything about it. Her kicks were way up and her altitudes were some of the best they have seen. Three yeses.

Her fiancé Tyrell Noll performs freestyle to “Habits” by Maria Mena. The music is beautiful. He was animating so well it sort of glided. It was beautiful. Paula said he went against the grain and picked music not typically used for street dancing and that was very intelligent. His movement reflected a story. Nigel said it is very rare that they disagree. He didn’t find a lot of dancing going on. He has seen the puff and walk done so many times and it done better. Tyrell makes his case that dance is about emotion and pouring your heart out on the stage. Jason gave it two thumbs up. There was such an element of acting to it and dancers need to be actors as well. He gets two out of three yeses which gives him a ticket to Vegas.

Break dancer Corey “Mission” Whitfield, age 30, is from Detroit and works for the Pistons. He chose “Latch” by Disclosure featuring Sam Smith. He reminds me a little of Legacy. Jason thought it was very impressive. Paula loved him. Nigel invited his godchildren up on stage to dance with him. The kids were awesome. How old are they? Can they go through to Vegas? Mission is going to Vegas.

Then came a large montage of people going through to Vegas for Team Street.

Brooke Fong came to do a jazz routine from California. She chose “Fever” by Beyonce. I like her. Her spin moves were pretty phenomenal. Jason said they talk about those special moments where they can go home and still talk about and she had them in those pirouettes. Paula thought she was a very smart dancer, very sharp and in her control of her core. She thought she was a contender. Nigel said she was sharper than the spikes on a porcupine’s ass. He felt like she was raising the standard again this year. Three yeses.

Next was a montage of people trying out for Team Stage.

Two dancers from The Bronx came together to try out on opposing teams. First was stage dancer Chelsea Harold, age 26, dancing contemporary to “Brain” by Banks. Her flexibility did not seem to be there like the other dancers we’ve seen. She looked like she was struggling. Her legs were not high enough in her jumps. I love her spirit and I loved the concept of the dance, but I’m not sure what happened in the other. Paula said she is a proficient dancer—she could see her training—but there were areas where she needed to extend more. Nigel said her legs appeared tensed. Jason felt that her emotion was more internalized. She received three no’s.

Her friend Samantha Reyes was hoping for a different answer. She dances in the subways. She is going to freestyle street dance. She chose “Faded” by Zhu. It was good. I think she needs some help perfecting her style a bit though. Jason likes her passion but he thinks she needs to add more to her repertoire. Paula said she sees softness in her but Paula reassures her that it is a beautiful thing. Paula said she needs to be taught structure and choreography so she can start building her dance vocabulary but she shows a lot of promise. Nigel says he sees a girl who has to be tough in her life but agrees with Paula that there is a softness about her. She gets three yeses.

Jessica Southwell (aka J-South) auditioned doing a tap/Charleston. OUCH! She fell. It was interesting. He said the routine was juvenile but the outfit made him short for words. She said, “It’s ironic.” Paula thinks she needs to work on the cleanliness of her taps. Jason thought it was like a dirty Snow White. All three were a no, but Jason called her “babe” so she can go away with that I suppose.

At the end of the day ten dancers were joining Team Street and five more were joining Team Stage.

Day two in Detroit. Miranda Wilking just turned 18 on the day of her audition with District 78’s “The Antidote.” That was some hard-hitting dancing there. She was not going to be denied a ticket! I’ll remember the intensity, but not so much signature moves. There was no critique other than Nigel saying “she’s fierce” while she was dancing. She has a ticket to Vegas.

Aaron Viland describes his style as pop-and-lock-a-mation. He dances to “The Creep” by The Lonely Island. He had the judges up dancing. Nigel thanked him for making everyone so happy but it wasn’t strong enough for them to put him through. Paula predicted he was going to become an internet sensation. Jason said they needed a little wakeup call and thanked him.

Michael Manson came on stage to perform the legendary Detroit Jit. That is one FAST dance!!! I wonder how many calories you can burn doing that? Nigel thought it was good. Paula said, “Jit happens.” Michael said that is their slogan. Paula thought what he is doing was extraordinary but he needed to change it up. Jason was there for it. He gets a ticket to Vegas.

Kelsey Rose Young is performing a tap routine to “Bang Bang” by Jessie J. WOW!!!!! She is fantastic. She intermixed some krump into her tap routine. Nigel said she is a born performer. He loved the track she danced to because it was fresh and modern. Her performance was outstanding (a little over the top if he is being honest). Her performance reminded him of Paula. She was double espresso coffee in the morning. Paula wants to carry her in her purse everywhere she goes. She thought she was a little firecracker and she surprised Paula. Jason felt that tap is a dying art and it needs to be brought to current times, like what she did. She gets a ticket.

There was a montage of unnamed stage performers who received a yes for Vegas, followed by a montage of both street and stage dancers who received a no.

Gabby Diaz got cut after her solo in Dallas (a week ago). She completely changed her solo based on the judges’ feedback. She chose “Endangered Species” by Dianne Reeves. I loved it. It was a great tap song. Jason said “now that was amazing” before the actual critiques occurred. Nigel said her auditions were like night and day for him. Her song choice was right, her expressions were right, her interpretation was right. Paula said she took the constructive criticism that they gave her, she took it and it paid off. It was very smart of her and Paula is very proud of her. Jason is proud of her as well. She was almost like a new dancer. She gets the prize—the ticket to Vegas.

Krumper Roydell Shannon blew up the stage with his performance. His son BamBam was called to the stage. BamBam gets a standing ovation from the judges. Nigel thought he was just as good as Russell. Paula thought he brought other dimensions into his routine, not just krumping, and it was incredible. Jason said he was more than a krumper—he is an entertainer. He became a beast and he’s got buck. Definitely going to Vegas.

The tally is 55 dancers for Team Travis and 60 for tWitch

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Tags: Aaron Viland, BamBam, Brooke Fong, Chelsea Harold, Christine Shepard, Corey "Mission" Whitfield, Detroit, Fox Broadcasting, Gabby Diaz, J-South, Jason Derulo, Jessica Southwell, just O, Kelly McCoy, Kelsey Rose Young, Kenya Sutton, Legacy, Michael Manson, Miranda Wilking, Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Queen of Detroit, Queen of the Streets, Roydell Shannon, S.O., Samantha Reyes, season 12, So You Think You Can Dance, Standing O, Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Team Stage, Team Street, Travis Wall, Tyrell Noll
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance Season 12 Memphis and Dallas Auditions

19 06 2015

I am looking forward to Jason Derulo joining the judges’ panel. When he was a guest judge last season I was impressed with his detailed and constructive feedback. I was very sad that Mary Murphy’s contract was not renewed. Paula Abdul will be taking Mary’s spot. This season it is stage versus street. The person trying out will have to tell the judges whether they are trying out for #TeamStage or #TeamStreet. By the time Vegas week is over, there will be 10 dancers of each style who will be paired up for the show. Travis and tWitch will be the mentors. One dancer from each team will be sent home based on our votes.

The first contestant is Peyton Albrecht from Robert, Louisiana. He will be dancing for a spot on #TeamStage with a contemporary routine to Steed Lord’s “Ghost of Sky.” There were some interesting elements to it and I was on the verge of goosebumps, but not quite there. I definitely think he deserves a ticket to Vegas. Paula thought he was a powerful dancer with wonderful technique. He has it all (but she is very stoic about her delivery of the comment. Maybe Paula wants to try playing the serious one and keep it as she would with choreography try-outs versus trying to make off-the-cuff comments which sometimes get her into trouble). Jason said it was a hell of a song choice. Jason said that is what performers strive for—to create something that is your own so there is something remaining to remember you by when you are gone. Nigel thought he reminded him of a young Travis Wall (well, I wouldn’t go THAT far Nigel). He received three yeses.

Street dancer Andre Rucker is a part of the infamous Dragon House (an Atlanta group that specializes in popping and animation). He made it to Vegas in season 9 (the season that Cyrus from his house also made it to the finals). He danced to “Special Powers” by Harikiri. GOOSEBUMPS!!! This young man has mad skills in animation. Jason said it was fire. He liked his wave and tutting that he had never seen before. Paula complimented his musicality, how he utilized the choreography right to the different beats and how he enhanced certain instrumentation. He is very special. Nigel enjoyed the hand that came around like a snake. It was really creative and his musicality was terrific. He gets a ticket to Vegas.

Trying out for #TeamStage is Jordan Hilgenberg from Claremont, Florida. She has a ballet base but is more of a contemporary person and incorporates both in her dance style. Her audition song is Julia Stone’s “The Line That Ties Me.” I got goosebumps with that routine. She had enormous control and gorgeous lines. I also felt emotion coming through as well which gave me the goosebumps. I like that the lyrics had “call you the beast.” Nigel often refers to women dancers like Melanie Moore as “beasts.” Nigel said she has beautiful feet. Her arabesque is tremendous. The penche was beautiful. The control of it all was terrific. He was impressed with her grand jeté en avant en tournant and he needs to see more movement. He felt like she was a bird held in a cage. Paula said she has extraordinary elegance. Her core is amazing, balance is amazing, feet are stunning, and breadth of her training is incredible. Jason said she is a beautiful dancer through and through. Her lines were stunning that it carried the performance. She has the potential of being very amazing. Three yeses!

The next contestant planned to showcase Memphis jookin’. It combines foot work, gliding, gangsta-ness, hype-ness. It is footwork, ankle breaking, buck jumping and bounce. The bounce is the heartbeat of the dance that gives it the Memphis attitude. Representing this was Ladia Yates, age 23, from Richmond, California? Okay. I was expecting a Memphis girl. Her song was Bow Wow’s “It’s Going Down.” I love a female hip-hip dancer. Some of her hand work was weird (not as tight as the other stuff), but I liked the rest of it. Nigel said he was proud of what he had just seen. Paula thought she was special and unique. Jason said where he comes from it’s called “a movie” and she just made a movie for them. She propositions Jason to go to the movies after this is all over. He said it was incredible. He said it was so incredible he wanted her to come in and teach some of his dancers what she does. Then we find out why she is in Memphis. She has a dance team of little ones there in Memphis. Nigel calls them up. They all said they wanted to dance to Jason Derulo’s “Talk Dirty to Me.” Jason comes up on stage to sing while they danced. That was fantastic. Those little kids are TALENTED!! Ladia comes down to hug the judges for her ticket and lingers at Jason. That will be the last allowed hug from him for the season. We know what got Paula in trouble on American Idol (allegedly).

After a montage of stage dancers who made it through, a few street dancers came to the stage but it was not strong enough to make it through.

Fifteen dancers would be joining Team Travis, and only 9 were joining tWitch’s street team (and you know they have made it impossible for me to choose between Travis and tWitch). Courtney Barnes returned after last season to dance to Meek Mills’ “Dreams and Nightmares.” Interesting song choice. And it morphed into Selena’s “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom.” He is truly entertaining. (I hope I used the proper pronoun). And then it morphed into Nick Jonas’ “Jealous.” Jason whispered to Paula, “One more hair swipe and I’m gonna lose my mind.” Jason thought it was interesting. He hadn’t seen anyone else put a mash-up together like that. It was a bit too much of hair whipping for him. Jason said it wasn’t ready for this show. Paula said she would pack him in her bag and take him everywhere with her because he adds tremendous life to everything. Nigel thought his style and flexibility were good. Nigel says he is in a difficult position because he always says that he wants them to be unique. Paula is a yes. Jason is a no. Nigel says he is going to have a lot of work to do before he gets to Vegas, but he puts him through.

An unexpected snafu occurred on day 2 of the Memphis auditions when there was an underground substation fire which made the lights go out throughout downtown Memphis and it was unknown if power would be restored. Many said they would go to the other cities to audition, but many said they spent all the money they had to get to Memphis. Mid-afternoon they made the announcement that they would be dancing; however, the auditions would be modified. They would be put into groups based on their style. They will be asked to either stay to do a solo or be dismissed. At the end of the day eight dancers will be joining Travis for the stage group and ten more will be joining tWitch for the street team.

The next stop was in Dallas. The first contestant comes from Miami and he is rather humorous as he stumbles over the word contemporary. He just started dancing 3 years prior when sports bored him. Dancing to Il Divo’s “Caruso” Guillermo Morales has some great moves, but he didn’t move any emotion inside of me. His athleticism was compelling. He received a ticket to Vegas. Nigel commented that “he’s a star.”

Jaclyn Hamric danced to “Sleepwalk.” She is a beautiful young lady and she has talent, but there was not anything special to her routine. There was a lot of ponytail turning (which annoyed Jason in a previous city). I also noted that for a contemporary routine, she had her toes pointed out a lot instead of keeping them straight. Nigel thought it was pretty and her technique was good. Paula said she is lovely to watch. The camera and audience love her. Paula likes her a lot. Jason said he liked her a lot as well. He forgot about technique and became a fan. It is a unanimous yes.

Steven Ban looks like an atypical street dancer. Honestly, he looks like someone from my community—a nerd (and describes himself that way as well). Nigel thought he looked like Bill Gates. He chose Thiftworks’ “Sky Fiyah.” He had some skills, but there have been better animators to come through the doors to audition now and in the past. He had some cool moves but was it enough to get him through? Jason said he loved his musicality. He thought he was unique and he loved the whole look. Paula said she thought he was more of an illusionist than an animator. He received three yeses.

Vishona Sims is auditioning for the first time. I liked that she said she wanted to show us what she feels instead of what she can do in a freestyle routine to Eryka Badu’s “The Healer.” Wow she is great. Nigel thought it was dope. He felt it was a little static but still enough to go “wow.” Jason said wow as well. He felt he was alive inside watching her. He thought she told a story. Paula said she is a little star. She was poetic with her movement and thinks she is very, very special. She gets three yeses to Vegas.

Kiosh Monroe from Pleasant Grove, Texas takes the stage to Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk.” There was no technique in his dance but it was entertaining. Paula felt like she was watching multiple personalities. He is enjoyable to watch and a lot of fun. She does not know if he is right for the competition. Jason was honest and said it was not for him. He thought he was like the good cousin that could dance. Jason steers him to workout tapes. Jason and many women join him on stage to see if he could have a workout video.

Thirteen will join Team Travis and 16 will join Team tWitch in Vegas.

Tailor’s “Shaped Like a Gun” was the song choice for Lily Leyva, a 19-year-old from Las Vegas. She is a beautiful dancer. She is through.

Jaden Ziarha danced to “Big Spender” and fused ballet with hip-hop. His appearance is deceiving. Paula thinks he marches to the beat of his own drum. Nigel thinks he should be Stephen Colbert’s dancing double. He does not get through to Vegas.

The All-Stars got invited to do the #GimmeFive challenge with Michelle Obama to celebrate the anniversary of her initiative.

The final audition was Tank Hope’s “This Makes You Love Me.” Edson Juarez from Mission, Texas tried out in season 11 but didn’t make it; however, he has worked on those issues since. It was lovely. Jason thought it was the best routine they’ve seen all day. Paula agrees. Nigel still wants more connection. He is through.

Next up: Detroit

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Tags: #GimmeFive, Andre Rucker, auditions, Courtney Barnes, Dallas, Dragon House, Edson Juarez, Guillermo Morales, Jaclyn Hamric, Jaden Ziarha, Jason Derulo, Jordan Hilgenberg, Kiosh Monroe, Ladia Yates, Lily Leyva, Mary Murphy, Memphis, Memphis jookin, Michelle Obama, Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Peyton Albrecht, season 12, Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Steven Ban, Team Stage, Team Street, Travis Wall, Vishona Sims, White House
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance

American Idol Season 14 The Winner Is….

20 05 2015

And the winner is….

Just in case people have not heard who won this second to last season of American Idol, I will put the info at the end and discuss tonight’s hits and misses with musical guests. In some cases we were reminded that the voting for some contestants to leave was indeed the right thing to do.

Nick and Clark joined Fallout Boy to sing “Centuries.” In terms of performance, Nick was jamming right along with Patrick Stump while Clark still hasn’t been able to just let himself get completely out of control. He looked happy but he needs to get some rocking-it-out lessons.

Tyanna Jones joined three of the Jackson brothers to sing a medley of songs including “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “(Dance and Shout) Shake Your Body Down to the Ground“. It was a fun opening and got people energized, but I would have liked to see her sing with Janelle Monae who is appearing later in the show. “Tightrope” was one of Tyanna’s better songs she covered over the course of Idol, but I could see the allure of singing with the Jackson brothers.

The top six ladies joined Nile Rodgers and Chic to do another medley including “We Are Family” and “Le Freak,” then their new record “I’ll Be There” and back to the classic “Good Times” and ending with “Rapper’s Delight.”

Ricky Martin took the stage to do a medley of his songs starting with “Mr. Put It Down.” He was joined by Nick, Clark, Qaasim, Quentin and Rayvon for “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” “She Bangs,” and “The Cup of Life.” I just love Ricky Martin. I have adored him since his days on General Hospital. I wonder why Daniel wasn’t performing with them?

Adanna performed with Janelle Monae. Janelle sang with “Yoga” featuring Jidenna. Adanna seems to fit right in and maybe this is a good niche for her. Maybe working with Janelle has shown her how to control that exuberant energy she has although she didn’t do much singing.

Prince Royce was joined by Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull to sing “Back It Up.” That was incredible.

Echosmith performed “Cool Kids” with Joey Cook. I think this was a good match up. I have missed Joey.

Ryan polls the judges to see who they think will win. Jennifer quietly says Clark. Harry is noncommittal. Keith thinks Nick has a slight advantage. Keith Urban performed his hit “Even the Stars Fall 4 U.” If anyone could make me like a country song, it is Keith Urban. There is no doubt he wrote and performed that for Nicole Kidman who was in the audience. I may just go buy that song.

I thought Jamie Foxx was an odd choice but after hearing him sing “In Love By Now” with Rayvon, I thought it was a perfect match. I didn’t realize Jamie sang so well. It was a beautiful pairing.

Ford gave a car (Festive) not only to Nick and Clark but also to their mentors (Focus). Nick chose fellow bandmate lead guitarist Nick Abraham. Clark’s mentor Pastor Jim Phillips was his choice.

New Kids on the Block were looking for a new band member and they chose Daniel Seavey. Their medley included “Please Don’t Go Girl” and “You’ve Got It (The Right Stuff).” It was the worst one of the night. I know Donnie Wahlberg later tweeted that it was about having fun and that is fine. It made Daniel happy I am sure as well as his family, friends and fans. Even with the lyrics on two big screens it was obvious that when Donnie put then microphone out to the audience for them to the sing “the right stuff” no one sang back. Ryan puts them on the spot and asks if Daniel could go on the tour with them.

Quentin Alexander teamed up with Vance Joy for his song “Riptide.” Quentin needs to learn about singing a duet. You don’t mouth the words that the other person is singing. Grooving like you did was good; mouthing the words was distracting. And Quentin, I adore you so it is hard for me to say something critical. Otherwise the song was lovely.

Scott shared with Nick and Clark what will happen to the winner. One of them will go back to Nashville where their boots are going to hit the ground. They are going to hit reset and go to visit radio and retail. They will go to the CMA Music Festival with him to perform. One of them will be a presenter at the CMT Awards. And that just scratches the surface. They will start recording their first album. He said both of their songs were top 15 (which was inaccurate because when I checked at that precise moment, Nick’s song was at 21 and Clark’s song was at 42).

Chris Brown and Pitbull performed their new single “Fun” with Qaasim. That indeed was fun!!!

Steven Tyler performed his new song “Love Is Your Name.” Jax came up from the audience to sing “Piece of My Heart” and like the superstar she is she held her own with him. That gave me goosebumps and the Idol judges were with them all the way, even when they finished the performance on the judges’ table. Jax thanked the fans and the judges to thunderous applause.

Clark joined Michael McDonald to sing “Takin’ It to the Streets.” They played side-by-side pianos. Where has THIS Clark been?? I haven’t seen him so passionate and animated in weeks. THIS is a winning performance. He needed to have captured this many episodes ago.

Andy Grammer and Nick sang “Back Home” and moved into “Honey, I’m Good.” It was enjoyable. I preferred Clark’s performance with Michael McDonald.

The judges played together on stage, Jennifer on vocals, Keith on guitar, and Harry on keyboards. Jennifer started off with “Diamonds” and moved to “Locked Out of Heaven” with Keith and Jennifer on vocals.

And the winner is….. NICK! And he looks a bit stunned. Congratulations!

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Tags: Adanna Duru, American Idol, Clark Beckham, Daniel Seavey, Harry Connick Jr., Jax, Jennifer Lopez, Joey Cook, Keith Urban, Maddie Walker, Nick Fradiani, Qaasim Middleton, Quentin Alexander, Rayvon Owen, Ryan Seacrest, Sarina-Joi Crowe, Season 14, Tyanna Jones, winner
Categories : American Idol, Fox Shows

American Idol Season 14 Top 2 Finalists Revealed

13 05 2015

The final 2 are revealed right out of the gate tonight. Between two of them the percentage is 0.4% (but they didn’t say if that percentage was between the top 2 or the bottom 2). The person leaving the competition tonight is…..WHAT THE???? Jax???????? No fracking way. Scott Borchetta–Sign her NOW!!!!! I am heartbroken. She has superstar written all over her. That still will be her fate.

Round 1: Contestant’s Favorite Song from the Season

I never liked this category. I would prefer to see something like “pick the song you did your worst on and here is your chance to improve it”–a variation of a theme I enjoy on Project Runway.

Clark picked “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles from his repertoire on Idol, which is a song he did very well on a very long time ago. And it is exactly the same right down to the same head movements and eye tics. Not saying that is a bad thing but I like to hear and see something a little different not just from Clark but from anyone. Keith said it was like flapjacks drenched in syrup–southern and soulful. Jennifer said he was reminding them why he is here. She thought it was better than the first time he sang it which she didn’t think was possible. Harry David there is always an undercurrent of drive with him that he always wants to push it. It was a great way to start the show. Clark is a really nice guy (so it seems). I don’t begrudge him a win, but I think Jax is more current and unique.

Nick picked “Bright Lights” by Matchbox Twenty. I definitely think this is better than the first time he sang it. He took all the comments the judges gave him and applied it. Nick also brought the intensity up a notch. It was fabulous. I felt like I was watching a rock concert. Jennifer said that when Simon Fuller was thinking up this competition all those years ago, he was probably thinking of someone like him, someone who can be a true American Idol–someone who has the voice, who has the look, who has the presence–who has everything it takes–of what an American Idol would be. That was another performance that brought him up to another level. Harry said his (Harry’s) time was short so it was fabulous and people need to vote. Keith said the audience’s reaction says it all. It isn’t about having a great voice and being a great performer, it is about “can I relate to you?” Keith said he can relate to him.

Objectively in my opinion round 1 goes to Nick. Jennifer thinks it was a tie for round 1. Ryan says it is a cop-out to say it but she can. She refuses to change her mind despite the pressure by the audience to make the choice.

Round 2: Simon Fuller’s Choice

Simon Fuller chooses Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” for Clark to perform. I remember when this put Kris Allen into the category of a serious contender. And right when he starts to sing, a child abduction alert cuts him off my TV. I heard the last 15 seconds of it do I cannot tell you how I feel about it. Harry said it took a lot of guts to sing a slow song first and follow it up with another slow song. It was an inward, soulful performance. It was great. Keith said it was fantastic. Jennifer said the audience wants to know–who was he singing that to? It was awesome, beautiful, heartfelt, amazing.

Update: I found it posted on You Tube. It really was amazing.

For Nick, Simon picks “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz. I think this is the first time I have seen him at piano. It was lovely. It is a hard song to sing and to sing it well like that is impressive. I think I would have taken the last chorus up a step into a key change for impact. Keith mentioned the piano as well. He thought it was incredible. His heart and soul were connected. It was beautiful. Jennifer said she loved the way he sounded on that. She feels like Clark and he are toe to toe on this. Harry said he just lays it all out there on an emotional level and that is huge; they could feel it in the room.

Round 2 for me ~~is undecided since I didn’t get to hear much of Clark’s performance~~ This definitely goes to Clark. Ryan asks Harry who won round 2. Harry says, “It’s a tie.” Jennifer choked him. Harry said this is why–unquestionably Nick won the first round and unquestionably Clark won the second round.

Round 3: Winner’s Song (the song the winner will release).

If Clark wins, the song he is going to release is called “Champion.” I like the song, but I think it reinforces for me that Clark can sing songs others have created better than he can sell a new song. I truly love the lyrics and it could be a new anthem song, but it was lacking for me the passion of a winner. He sang it well but it was awkward in the delivery. The end part is where he found his magic but like he has been told all season, he has to channel the passion he finds at the end into the entire song. An anthem song needs to involve the audience. They can be involved even if they have never heard the song before. Jennifer said he sounded great on it; it is going to be a tough night. Harry said it was good but it obvious it is a new song and Nick will have the same disadvantage. Keith said the song was a great song. The song is inspiring. (I am noticing they are not saying much about his delivery of a new song though).

If Nick wins, his song will be “Beautiful Life.” When Clark was performing, it again was an inward type of performance. Nick worked the stage and looked comfortable doing so. He had the audience eating out of his hands. That was perfect and I am going to go buy that right now. Jennifer said before Harry commented that felt great. Harry said he really enjoyed it and it was really, really strong but he got lucky because it sounded like it was tailor-written for him and that is a big, big deal. Jennifer said it felt amazing. Her favorite part was when the audience was moving along with him with their hand up in the air, and he pulled the mic away and was like “wow.” it was him in the moment. That is what is beautiful about him and the way he performs. She loved it. Keith said this is the kind of song people will go out and buy. Keith wants to buy the record and see him in concert.

Round 3 for me hands down goes to Nick. Ryan asked which one of the night was their favorite. Clark picks the round 1 choice (which he has probably sung so many times I’m his life. Nick picks the last. That kind of tells me that Clark likes the stay in the comfort of the past. Nick looks forward. Ryan asks Keith who won round 3. He leans a little bit into Nick’s camp by a narrow margin.

Clark sings like a street performer (watch me, like my voice, drop money for me, I will perform for you). Nick performs like “you’ve paid for a ticket and I’m not going to make you regret that; this is an interaction between us).

My Jax votes will go to Nick. I also downloaded his song. As I type this up this morning, Nick’s song is 31 on the ITunes chart and Clark’s song is 41.

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Tags: American Idol, Clark Beckham, Harry Connick Jr., Jax, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Nick Fradiani, Ryan Seacrest, Scott Borchetta, Season 14, top 2 revealed
Categories : American Idol, Fox Shows

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