This week on So You Think You Can Dance, we learned a bit more about each of the dancers, and we learned a little about their first dance performances.
The first to perform was Christina Santana. She told a story about her first dance performance when her costume ripped and she ran to her mom in embarrassment. How cute? Christina joined Pasha on a Jean-Marc Genereaux Pasa Doble number. The couple danced passionately to “Ira Deorum/Sanctus” by James Dooley. Christina hoped the number would be “Passionate, and paso, and Pasha,” and it most certainly was. Christina not only mastered the steps of the paso doble, but she mastered the feeling and the character. The judges commended her on a fantastic performance.
Up next was Adechike Torbert, who talked about his father being a dancer. He joined contemporary all-star, Allison, for a Mandy Moore routine. Moore brought out a different side of Adechike; he put a huge grin on his face and actually tried to be in love with Allison. The routine, danced to “Listen to Your Heart” by D.H.T. feat. Edmee, was passionate and beautiful, and for once, lacked a story. This week, Adechike made the improvements the judges needed him to. They did tell him to try to hold his performance and his character even through the difficult choreography, but other than that, he was beautiful.
Alex Wong was next to talk about his childhood. He started out as a tap dancer but as he got more into dance, his teacher forced ballet on him. He hated it, but eventually became a professional ballet dancer. Ironic? Alex was paired with Lauren Gottlieb for a Tyce Diorio Bob Fosse-styled Broadway routine to “Summertime” by Sylvester. The routine was sexy and Alex proved his incredible strength and technique. However, the judges were unimpressed with his emotions and performance. They asked him to do more research on other styles of dance and really become the characters he is asked to be.
Ashley Galvan was next to talk about her girly-girl past and her incredible first competition as a four-year-old. She took on a Travis Wall jazz routine with all-star Mark to “Wonderful” by Annie Lennox. The judges were harsh on the choreographer, saying the piece was contemporary and not jazz. The look on Travis’s face was pure hatred for the judges at that moment. However, Ashley proved again that she is a beautiful contemporary dancer.
The next dancer was Billy Bell, who surprisingly used to be a fat baby. He talked about his first performance wearing a black leather outfit with fire lining the bottom when he thought he was a Backstreet Boy. Billy was paired with hip-hop dancer Comfort for a Lil C krump routine to “So You Think You Can Krump” by Tha J-Squad. Lil C wanted to bring out a new side of Billy so he created a persona named Billy B. Buck. The judges were kind of disturbed by the performance. Adam Shankman even went as far as calling it “a failed experiment,” and Mia Michaels called him “Billy B. Wack”. Despite the harsh criticisms, Billy remains at the top of the judges’ list as one of the best dancers the show has ever seen. At least he tried, right?
The handsome Robert Roldan then showed us his past as the “shining star” in his first performance. He was paired with Anya for an Argentine tango by Jean-Marc Genereaux. The routine danced to “Libertango” by Bond Quartet was incredible, sexy, technically perfect, and passionate. Anya, as always, was the definition of sexy and paired with Robert, it might have been the most handsome couple the world has ever seen. As Jean-Marc had hoped, the routine was on fire. The judges adored the routine and continued to praise Robert for his talent and his performance.
Melinda Sullivan was up next. She told us she was a quirky, artsy kid. In her first performance as a four-year-old, she felt like she was dancing on Broadway. This week, she was paired with Ade for a Stacey Tookey contemporary routine with a story. Melinda played Mother Earth while Ade played mankind. The routine was about the relationship between nature and man. The dance to “Squander” by Skunk Anansie was slow and poignant. The judges were impressed with Melinda’s lines considering her training as a tap dancer. However, Mia Michaels commented on her unattractive costume.
After Mother Earth took a beating from mankind, b-boy Jose Ruiz took us back to his childhood. He grew up loving sports but started battling at 14 and never looked back. Jose was joined by Kathryn for a Nakul Dev Mahajan Bollywood routine. The routine, danced to “Marjaani Marjaani Kasane” by Billu Barber, was about a genie in a bottle. In the end, Kathryn, the genie, had Jose trapped in her bottle. The dance was fun and energetic, as Bollywood always is. The judges enjoyed the routine because of Jose’s spirit, but they all agreed that he put a groovey hip-hop spin on the style.
Next up, Lauren Froderman told us that her first dance performance was just a hyper mess. She took on a Tessandra Sanchez lyrical hip-hop routine with Dominic. The routine, danced to the song “If I Were a Boy” by Beyonce, was an emotional routine about abusive relationships. Lauren really stepped into a dark place and felt the piece very strongly. The dance was angry and sad as Lauren did a beautiful job portraying the abused. The judges praised her for taking their notes and really becoming the character she was given this week.
Kent Boyd told us about his energetic past as a dancer. As an eight-year-old, he received compliments on his crazy energy while he danced. He was paired with Courtney for a Tyce Diorio Jazz routine to “Amy, Amy, Amy” by Amy Winehouse. The routine was dark, hard-hitting and somehow, the quiet, shy Kent became a sexy man in love with the even sexier Courtney Galiano. The judges were proud of Kent’s attempts to be as sexy as possible, but they still think of him as happy-go-lucky Kent.
Thursday night, the elimination show began with a Sonya Tayeh jazz routine to “Royal T” by Crookers feat. Roisin Murphy (who sings “Ramalama Bang Bang,” the season 2 favorite). The routine was dark and twisted, as is expected from Sonya.
Nigel also talked about National Dance Day, which is July 31. A Tabitha and Napoleon hip-hop routine is up for viewing on the Dizzy Feet Foundation website for anyone to learn.
The three dancers in the bottom three this week were Christina Santana, Melinda Sullivan, and Robert Roldan. Melinda was not a surprise, but Robert and Christina were. Sadly, Christina was sent home, but she did not cry and she was very thankful for the time she had on the show. Is it just me, or does everyone wish it was Melinda who went home? I guess it’s just me.
Next week, the top nine dancers will take the stage with new, partners and we will lose yet another dancer.
Source: RealityWanted.com