Last week, I had Alan in 6th. Even though I ranked her higher, I did also say that the judges would cut Malece if she hit the bottom. And they did.
THE BOYS:
5) Tucker Knox
Tucker got lucky last week. They could have cut him. But Alan couldn’t make the top 10 with 4 bottom 3 appearances. This week, Tucker is guaranteed a bottom two slot. The question is, can he survive a bottom two placement… against anyone? Maybe Nico…
4) Nico Greetham
I suppose my biggest question is whether or not they will cut Nico or Tucker this week. I feel like Tucker is the weakest guy left, in their eyes. It will likely come down to the routine they do this week, which we haven’t seen yet. A blind prediction has me sending Tucker home, but Nico could just as easily be gone this week too. I think it’ll come down to the routines this week.
3) Fik-Shun
I’ve been noticing the judges have started nailing Fik-Shun on his technique and stuff, and trying not to praise him as much as they used to. I think they have started to imagine a Paul/Aaron final two in their minds. Listen carefully to the feedback he gets this week. It’ll probably consist of a few backhanded compliments.
2) Paul Karmiryan
Paul has been getting “finalist” compliments now, while Fik-Shun is getting “if you just had more training…” compliments. They’ve stopped grading on a curve, which is opening up the door for Paul. PLUS, Paul is now dancing with All-Stars, instead of with dead-weight Makenzie (not because she’s not pretty, but because she’s been in the bottom way too much to win). It’ll be interesting to see him paired with new dancers, as it could really push him further in the competition.
1) Aaron Turner
This week could be an awkward struggle for Aaron. Unless he’s dancing with Twitch, all of the female All-Stars are significantly shorter than him, which makes for a partnering nightmare. He won’t be able to do ballroom this week with any of the announced girls, who are at least 8 inches shorter than him. Can Aaron find a partner each week who is about his height? Can Aaron have a successful dance with a much shorter all-star? I think Nigel has finally realized that Aaron is his “Great White Hope”, in that he’s a tapper who (finally) might win.
THE GIRLS:
5) Jenna Johnson
Jenna has now been in the bottom equally as many times as Makenzie. I’m actually looking forward to a bottom two of Jenna/Makenzie, because it will force the judges to “pick one” of the two girls that repeat in the bottom 3, and the judges refuse to acknowledge it. Last week, Jenna didn’t even have to dance for her life. Instead, the two girls who had never been in the bottom were forced to dance, while Jenna skipped over to safety. In a fight between Makenzie and Jenna, I think Jenna would lose because her bottom three appearances would be back-to-back, whereas Makenzie was safe last week. It could also come down to the routines, which we haven’t seen.
4) Makenzie Dustman
Makenzie’s fans rallied and saved her last week, at the expense of Malece. Amy’s fans likely will push to make sure she’s safe this week, so unless Hayley makes a shocking debut in the bottom, or Jasmine reappears too soon, it looks like Makenzie will dip back down. The one thing that has me worried for Makenzie, is that Jenna is the only girl left who is not a contemporary/jazz dancer. The other four girls are essentially the same style. Could Jenna stick around an extra week just because she originated in ballroom?
3) Amy Yakima
After dipping into the bottom last week, Amy had an absolutely fantastic solo. I feel like we have a really strong top 3 girl group. I have felt a little that Amy has been carried, at least in part, by Fik-Shun. That’s the reason I’ve stuck her in 3rd, is that now she’s on her own, and has to rally her fans independently, instead of getting Fik-Shun’s fans to vote for her, so the couple doesn’t break up.
2) Jasmine Harper
Jasmine still has a bottom three appearance that Hayley doesn’t have. Jasmine also is losing her epic partnering with Aaron and will also have to stand on her own. I think she brought a bit more to her pairing than Amy did with hers.
1) Hayley Erbert
Hayley is primed and ready to go for this week. Prior to All-Star week, she had already danced with three different partners. Curtis, the pro dancer, and Nico. She’s been carrying herself this whole competition, and hasn’t been relying on the help of her partner. That’s important, because with rotating all-stars, the weight is all on her shoulders. She’s got the best chance of sailing through this next step of the competition, because people are used to seeing her with different dancers anyway.
