The top 20 of Season 9 of So You Think You Can Dance stormed the stage last week, and the competition finally got started. I’m really excited for this season, as there were some great dancers. The ballet dancers were fantastic from what I could tell in Vegas, and anyone who knows me knows that I love my hip hop dancers. Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer showed me something I’ve never seen before with his style, and I can’t wait to see more of him. No one was eliminated last week, but two girls and two guys are going home this week. Who will it be? Let’s find out!
Group Routine: “The Beautiful People (District 78 Remix)” by Marilyn Manson
This music is intense! I like Cyrus’s two face outfit, and him being the center piece in the middle. Overall, it was dark and twisted and I loved it. Also cool to see Cyrus as the star.
The couples are introduced, and Cat Deeley shows up in a very red outfit. Nappy Tabs did the group routine! Awesome that they are here I know Tabatha is very preggers so that’s cool. The judges are the usual Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and the always awesome Adam Shankman.
Couple: Lindsey and Cole
Dance Style and Choreographer: Hip Hop by Christopher Scott
Song: “Teeth” by Lady Gaga
I thought this was a good way to start the show. Cole’s faces throughout were great, and they certainly added to the post. Lindsey was good too, but I wish there was more of them dancing in unison. It seemed like most of the routine was driven by them reaction to different moves rather then dancing in sync. Nigel thought it was fun with good characterization. He said that Lindsey should go to England so that their teeth would be better. Mary said it up a smile on her face, and that she said it was so far removed from her life style, and that she needed to bring acting to the table. Adam says Cole is freaking him out, and that Lindsey has to attack it more.
Couple: Amelia and Will
Dance Style and Choreographer: Jazz by Sonya Tayeh
Song: “3326″ by Olafur Arnalds
As expected, both are very technically sound, and the dance was great on that end. I just didn’t really get the story, and I thought the song choice was alittle slow. Their partner work was very solid though, so they have that going for them. Mary does her usual wooo, and compliments Sonya on the routine. She says they brought it, and were in it the whole time. Adam gives a standing ovation, and says Sonya and him are going to have words. He said they were lost in the piece, and were brilliant. Nigel compliments Sonya again, and that Amelia buried her quirky character to be serious for this.
Couple: Amber and Nick
Dance Style and Choreographer: Tango by Miriam and Leonardo
Song: “Tanguera” by SextetoMayer
I thought that was well done. I think they were very sharp with their turns and movements, especially in the beginning. I also was very impressed by the lifts in the routine, especially the drop move in the beginning and his turn across the stage while carrying her. Adam says that was hot and a great routine. He says Amber was fantastic, and told Nick that he was mostly focusing on her. Nigel is giddy over Amber, and said that his ballroom background showed here. Mary said it was very difficult and demanding, but that they made it look easy.
Couple: Audrey and Matthew
Dance Style and Choreographer: Jazz by Sonya Tayeh
Song: “Here Me Now” by Steed Lord
The lift part in hte middle was awesome. The movement in the piece is interesting, as it usually is in a Sonya piece, and her legs are great the whole time. Her flexibility and lines remind me of Jordan from last year’s season. Overall, I liked it. Nigel says it was a two-fer routine, as Sonya killed it again. He says they should be one of America’s favorite couples. Mary confirms that they are one of her favorites, and says they were fantastic. Adam says tonight belongs to Sonya, and that he doubted Audrey until now. He also says that if he can keep that up, it’s his competition to lose.
Couple: Janelle and Dareian
Dance Style and Choreographer: Hip Hop by Christopher Scott
Song: “My Girl” by The Temptations
Interesting song choice. Woah. The kick flip move was sweet. I like the choreo alot, as there’s much more synchronized dancing in this one, with really good athletic moves. And the kiss at the end. Oh snap. Adam said this was a character piece, and both are very important, and saying that Darian was more in the character. Nigel said they were capable of doing more then they were given, and that they are both better then they showed. Mary agrees with them, and she was nervous bout the kiss. Then Adam fake kisses Nigel. Awesome.
Couple: Janaya and Brandon
Dance Style and Choreographer: Broadway by Sean Cheesman
Song: “Bring on the Men” from the Jekyll and Hyde Original Soundtrack by Linda Eder
I think that was my favorite performance of the night so far. They did a great job of mixing fun character moments in with great technical moves, and the rolling lift on his shoulders was amazing. Adam told Sean it was great, and that it was a huge step up for Brandon, and that Janaya was great. Nigel thought it was brilliant, and that their characters were great, a step up from last week. Mary said it was one of the most entertaining numbers of the night, and that they were a huge improvement from last week.
Couple: Eliana and Cyrus
Dance Style and Choreographer: Jive by Melanie and Tony
Song: “I’m Shakin” by Jack White
Elaina killed it. She did a good job of making up for Cyrus’s lack of training. I thought it was slowed down a bit for him, but I’ll give him credit. I thought he pulled it off fairly well given his specific skill set. Mary was silent when addressing Cyrus, and said the transitions were rough, but at times it was really good. He was great on the lifts, and that Eliana’s star was still shining. Adam said that he thought he picked it up well, and that Eliana danced her shoes off. Nigel said that Tony did a good job with getting him through it, and that she is doing a great job of making up for Cyrus’s lack of training.
Couple: Daniel and Alexa
Dance Style and Choreographer: Contemporary by Dee Caspary
Song: “So Long My Friend” by Yanni
Bathtub. Interesting. That was pretty sensual. Both dancers have great movement and lines. They are both powerhouses, but I don’t know that the choreography showed them off to their fullest capability. Adam says Dee’s routine was great, but that it was alittle cold for him and that something was missing. Mary agrees that the execution was great, but that something special was missing. Nigel also agreed that the connection wasn’t there emotionally, and that it was just technical.
Couple: Tiffany and George
Dance Style and Choreographer: Fox Trot by Tony and Meredith
Song: “I Want To Be Loved By You” by Sinead O’Connor
George is a beast. I think he might be the favorite as far as the guys are concerned. I thought overall, they handled this dance very well, as this is often considered the dance of death. Mary thought they nailed it, and that they both were a perfect fit. Adam was madly in love with the number, and that it was gorgeous. Nigel said they could be an opening act for anyone, and that they have a great connection.
Couple: Witney and Chehon
Dance Style and Choreographer: Bollywood by Nakul Dev Mahajan
Song: “Tandav Music” by Aatish Kapadia
Bollywood numbers are always exciting on this show, and this was no different. They are very synchronized, and Chehon is just an amazing athlete. I also loved the part where they spun around on different levels. Adam told Whitney to dance with a long neck, and that it was the first time he saw joy in Chehon. Mary loved that he let go and enjoyed it, and it showed in his dancing. Nigel was impressed by the knee turns. and that they were both better then last year’s performances.
Cat now brings all the dancers out, and it’s time for the results. Janaya, Alexa, Whitney, Nick, Daniel, and Chehon. These are the 6 dancers in danger. Both ballet dancers are in danger which concerns me. Nigel says they do not need to see anymore dancing, so their mind is made up. I think they will keep Alexa and Chehon.
Now it’s time for the Step Up Revolution preview. So exciting! Now it’s time for a group number with some old alumni! Awesomeness. So stoked for this movie. Great to see Twitch, Kathryn, Tony etc. Amazing as always.
Now it’s the hard part: the eliminations. Cat tosses it to the judges, and he says that America won’t be voting off, but that they will choose who will advance. Tonight, the judges have decided to keep Whitney, and send home Alexa and Janaya. Not too shocked by this: Janaya was for sure going home, but I thought they’d save Alexa, much like they saved Ryan last year.
Now we move on to the guys. I want them to keep Chehon. Nigel says they will keep Chehon. He is in tears from the decision. Daniel and Nick are going home. No shock there. Tough luck.
What do you think of the remaining contestants? Who is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
