Hey everyone. I’m here with the first power list of the season. I considered doing one last week, but this show tends to throw you curveballs with who you think America is voting for, and who you want America to vote for. I’ve been gauging some internet reactions, and I think I’ve found a somewhat manageable power list. Had I done one last week, I’m not sure Brittany would have been in the bottom 3, or Carlos as my lowest guy. Speaking of, let’s start with the guys:
I’m starting with the guys (and this is a little spoilerish), because there’s a chance that we’re going to see a very interesting show. I’m hearing that Jade has injured himself, and they might be giving Carlos a second chance in Jade’s place. It’s likely that because Carlos had no votes from America, he would immediately be placed in the bottom 3 (likely, Jade is in the bottom 3 anyway) and would have to dance for his life again. However, my powerlist is operating on “best case” scenario, which is that Jade is fine to dance.
9) Jade Zuberi
I don’t think Jade is long for this world, even if his injury doesn’t kick him out. If I’m being honest, I’m never that impressed with his solos, and he’s been painted in a negative light heading up to the Top 20, as the guy who never was good enough in any style, and always had to dance for his life. Nigel calls it “investing”, I call it “wasting our time”. Jade is the weakest dancer in the Top 9 guys, and the Bollywood routine didn’t do him any favors. A for effort, but I don’t see Jade sticking around much longer.
8) Alan Bersten
For me, I think they picked the wrong Bersten brother. I think Alan lacks charisma, and the fact that he had such a strong dance in week 1, and still landed in the bottom 3, signals to me that this is a dancer who is not connecting with America. When you’re dancing at the top of the pack, and you come out on the bottom, the problem isn’t your dancing, it’s your personality. Unless he can start radiating charm, he’ll have to rely on the judges save every week, and at some point, Nigel will let him go for repeatedly hitting the bottom.
7) Nico Greetham
The girls think he’s cute, I get that. However, his week 1 hip-hop was the worst of the night, by far. I think what Nico’s problem is, is that he hasn’t figured out how to appear “manly”, in the same way Billy Bell suffered. His boyish charm won’t carry into “strong” types, like some of the sexy ballroom routines, or any more hip hop, krump, etc. I think he can definitely shift up this list, but he’s going to need to be more solid on his routines. Last week was definitely a step up, but it wasn’t a home run. I’d call that third base.
6) Bluprint
Bluprint is benefiting right now from Jade being compared to him directly, and Jade being a weaker dancer. Bluprint also has a decent chunk of Cyrus’s fans from last season, who will vote for him simply because he’s a fellow “dragon house” member. But the simple fact, and why Bluprint won’t make the finale, is that he lacks the charisma that made Cyrus a popular dancer. He’s wooden and off-putting at times, and while he may evade elimination for a few weeks, it’s coming. That Broadway number, where he felt awkward throughout, could land him in the bottom. He’ll likely now be paired with Mariah, and there’s no benefit to being paired with a dancer in the same style as you (unless you happen to draw that one style). Two untrained dancers? Just wait till they draw the quick step…
5) Tucker Knox
Tucker is either your cup of tea, or he’s not, from what I’ve been seeing. Some people think he’s one of the weakest dancers, and then there’s an army of people who will cut you in a parking lot for saying that. He seems to be the most divisive contestant in the SYTYCD fanbase. I think he benefits from having a strong girl partner, and he’ll likely stay out of danger for a little while. He’ll need to find a way to convey his strength as a dancer to the half that aren’t voting for him if he plans on making the finale.
4) Paul Karmiryan
I don’t count Paul out, at all. I think he has what it takes to propel himself to the finale. This guy has already been through this competition before, just in another country. There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of backlash out there against him because of that, so instead he’s just getting to come in on the same level as everyone else (when he’s really not). Paul apparently had what it took to win once, can he do it again?
3- Curtis Holland-
I think Curtis is benefiting from a strong partner in Hayley, as well as a ton of upfront screentime. He seems likeable, and his personality is connecting with America. This might be the first season a tapper makes it to the finale. Both of his routines, however, have been “strong”, but neither of them have shattered the earth, so to speak. He’ll need to have an “immediate classic” soon, otherwise he’ll just be the “third guy” in the finale.
2) Aaron Turner
Longtime fans were pleased to see Aaron afforded the opportunity (finally) to be voted on by America after repeatedly making Vegas week. He has an underdog fight in him, and his partner (Jasmine) is an amazing match for him. Those two have really turned into a power couple, the way Melanie and Marko were. I think they’ll be unstoppable until they reach the Top 10, and then get split up. Then it’ll be up to Aaron on his own to fuel his path to the finale.
1) Fik-Shun
Fik-Shun is proving to be one of the most popular dancers this season, on the interwebz, and it has a lot to do with something he does that Bluprint doesn’t do… smile. Fik-Shun’s personality lights up the room, and he comes off as someone willing to try anything, whereas Bluprint seems hesitant. Fik-Shun also has one of the strongest girls in the competition as his partner, so the pair of them are making waves this season with their routines. I think they are an easy lock for the top 10, and it’ll be up to Fik-Shun from there on to keep up the personality, so he can keep getting votes.
And now… The Girls:
9) Mariah Spears
Her routine last week was actually really solid. The problem with Mariah is that her competition is just so strong, and now she’s dancing with Bluprint? I’m not saying she’ll go home this week, but very soon. I don’t think she has a shot of making the top 10, and she’s the only female dancer I can say that with certainty on.
8) Malece Miller
I was surprised that she wasn’t in the bottom last week. Her week 1 dance with Jade was just so-so, and then last week’s Bollywood was one of the weaker routines of the night. She also lacks a maturity. I may have ranked her above Mariah, but I actually think she’s going home this week if she’s in the bottom. Nigel doesn’t seem to really like her very much. America needs to keep her safe to keep her from going home.
7) Makenzie Dustman
She was in the bottom last week, and saved by the judges. I was surprised to see her in the bottom, and I think there is still a chance she’ll be in the bottom this week. The judges seem to love her, and unless Mariah AND Malece escape the bottom, I can’t see Makenzie being eliminated this week. She’s going to need to find a way to connect with America though if she wants to stick around. She does have a fanbase, it exists, they just need to vote harder for her.
6) Alexis Juliano
I was surprised Alexis wasn’t in the bottom last week. I think she’s one of the weaker “trained” dancers, even though she’s probably the best female tapper they’ve had on the show so far. There are 5 girls who really seem to be knocking it out of the park every week, and Alexis already has one bad week to her name. The other girls are actually going to need to step down for Alexis to step up.
5) Jenna Johnson
Jenna’s in fifth for me, only because I’m not sure her overt “I’m sexy” attitude is helping her. Also, she’s got Tucker as a partner, and he’s dividing audiences already. I think Jenna might actually do better being broken up from Tucker.
4) Jasmine Mason
Sooner rather than later, Jasmine is going to acquire a new partner, and that could change my ranking of her either for the better or for the worst. Right now, she’s carrying Alan, and also seems to be herself the less popular of the two Jasmine’s. However, should she get a much stronger partner, like say Paul (if Makenzie is eliminated), then she could move up. However, if she somehow gets stuck with Bluprint… then all bets are off.
3) Hayley Erbert
My top 3 girls are pretty safe. I think all three have partners that are equal, and all three have partners that will make the finale. Hayley is carrying Curtis a little bit, but both of them are good enough to make the top 10. I realize that both have independent numbers, so when I say “carrying” I mean it in the terms of “who is a stronger dancer in the couple”.
2) Amy Yakima
Amy seems to be super popular, and for good reason. She’s had two incredibly strong routines, and her partner is also super popular. They are a power couple, for sure. I’m interested in seeing my three power couples do ballroom routines, because I think that could change things up a little bit for me.
1) Jasmine Harper
Jasmine didn’t start out the favorite dancer, but I think she gained fans via Nigel’s constant prodding of her relationship with Cyrus. Everyone felt so bad for her because he kept bringing it up when she was on stage. Cyrus broke up with her when he made the Top 20, it’s got to be a sore spot for her. Then, when she hit the top 20, she started dancing like a powerhouse. I think Aaron is the perfect partner for her, and he enhances her even more. She’s not the most trained dancer, but she might just be America’s favorite.
