Join me tonight for the liveblog of So You Think You Can Dance. It’s our third audition city. Will this be the best yet? Sound off in the comments!
On a personal note, many of you may not know, I am a resident of Orlando. I’m still gathering my thoughts from the loss yesterday, and my city is still healing. I did not lose anyone personally, but I have friends mourning the loss of their families and friends. It hit too close. I don’t know if that will impact my liveblog tonight, with breaking news, or anything like that, but I wanted to post in advance. I also appreciate all of you who are standing with Orlando, and have shown your support. It means more to us than you could ever know. As I write currently, a crowd is gathered in downtown Orlando for a vigil. They just read all the names of the victims. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. #OrlandoStrong #PrayForPulse
Our final auditions in New York City, which means next week is Dance Academy. Our judges are Nigel, Paula, and Jason. One kid says Nigel looks like Donald Trump. Cat arm wrestles a kid.
RJ and Jake- 11 and 12
Hip Hop brothers. They themed themselves off Magic Mike. Why do these kids know what that is? I think RJ is the better dancer, to be honest. It was solid. Not the best hip hop we’ve seen this season. I doubt it’s top 10 potential. Jason thought he was gonna have to take his blazer off too. LOL. Paula says she enjoyed it. Nigel says Jake has a good stank face, and RJ has good rhythm. They’re both through. – Click for Video
Ruby- 12
Her mom and dad own a dance studio. She’s from Miami. She’s here with her dad. Nigel asks her if she’s won competitions, and she’s the current junior latin ballroom champ. I have a bit of a problem with 12 year olds being sexy, but that’s her choreography… and I can’t pin her for that. She’s great as a soloist. Nigel says it’s awkward without a partner. Nigel asks dad to dance with her. They pull off some great lifts. Standing O from the judges. She should easily make top 10. They judges have nothing to say, just a ticket. She’s through. – Click for Video
tate- 12
Tate is from Canada, and trains in ballet. She and her brother are very competitive. She seems to be doing a contemporary routine here though. At least, it’s not a pointe routine. she has excellent technique. She could be a dancer on a normal season. There is deep talent here. Standing O from the judges. Paula is moved. She calls it perfection, and calls her a gift from God. Jason says she did things he’s never seen before. Nigel thinks the all stars will fight over her. She’s through. – Click for Video
Montage of more talented kids going through. A ballroom couple, a contemporary boy, a hip hop girl.
Valeriya and Alex- 10 and 11
Ballroom couple. They broke up before because she was too short. Now they’re back together. #kidproblems. Alex is incredible. She’s pretty good, but his hips are amazing. His movement is flawless. Paula is losing her shit over how good they are. Standing O from the judges. Paula calls them magnificent. Jason thought they had a maturity about them. Nigel says they’re very good, good technique. Nigel tells Alex not to keep his mouth open too long. They’re through. – Click for Video
Montage of unusual talents. One kid can do head spins and brush his teeth.
Lucas- 13
Tapper. He was once the only boy in his class. He’s a good performer. Nothing too flashy in his tapping. He’s adequate. His stage presence makes up for the fact that we’ve seen it all before. Standing O from the judges. Paula says he has incredible presence and incredible feet. Jason says he stood up because the taps were so clean. Nigel says he’s one of the best tappers ever on the show. He’s through. – Click for Video
Liza and Joshua- 9 and 12
Another strong ballroom couple. Evenly matched. Jason doesn’t think she’s as good as some of the others. Really? She’s 9. I think she’s definitely as good. Nigel says technique worried him a lot. Nigel passes on Liza, but says yes to Josh. Paula agrees. Jason agrees. Joshua is through, Liza is cut. – Click for Video
Kai- 11
He’s the youngest member of an adult group. He doesn’t know if he can live off being a dancer. Easily the best BBoy this season. Probably the only one. But he’s the best. His tricks are sick. The hip hop all stars are gonna love him. Jason says he can rock with the best of them. Paula says the windmills were powerful. Nigel asks his crew to dance with him. His crew is pretty good too. Three yes’s. He’s through.
Montage of more hip hop talent. Two more hip hops boys, and one girl are through. One girl danced to Jason’s song, which prompted Jason to bring his friend out who does the “get ugly” part. Basically, I thought it was Ruben Studdard. he kinda dances with the hip hop girl, whose name we never find out. – Click for Video
Douglas- 11
Douglas is inspired by Michael Jackson with his outfit. His mom tells him to be Dougie. A teacher aide made fun of him when he was younger for practicing ballet. His mom cries retelling the story. He was in Kinky Boots on Broadway and Motown on Tour. WOW. I’m impressed. He’s incredible. They saved the best for last. He’s such an amazing dancer. Might be my favorite this season. No standing O? What? Paula says he’s born to be doing this. Nigel says he’s a ball of energy. He says he wants less club dancing, and more professional work. Jason says the technique seems amateurish at times. He scrapes by with three Yes’s. Whatever. That kid was great. – Click for Video
Olivia – 12
She’s incredible for a contemporary girl. Her extensions. She had a great choreographer for this solo. She dances with a lot of maturity. Nigel remarks on her control. Her leaps are great. Standing O from the judges. Nigel compliments her on her control again. He says she’ll inspire the choreographers. Paula says she’s that good. Jason says it seemed limitless, like a painting. She’s through. – Click for Video
We get a brief preview of next week. Dance Academy! Join me then, as we narrow down to our Top 10.
