The World of Dance The Cut part 1 airs tonight on NBC. Jennifer Lopez, Derek Hough and NE-YO make up the judges panel, while Jenna Dewan Tatum serves as host. Misty Copeland is this week’s guest judge. Only the top two highest-scoring acts from each division will move on to the Divisional Finals.
In the end, there’s only one million dollar winner. That’s right–the last act standing wins $1 million dollars.
Handpicked from qualifying events around the nation and thousands of online submissions, competitors are divided into three divisions: Junior (any size act under 16 years old), Upper (groups of 1- 4, over 16 years) and Team (groups of 5+, over 16 years). After an initial audition round (Qualifiers), the dancers will move on to “The Duels,” followed by “The Cut” and then the “Divisional Final.” In the “World Final” the three division winners will go head to head for $1 million and the title “Best in the World.” A panel of experts score the acts using a precise point system developed by World of Dance, using the following criteria: Performance, Technique, Choreography, Creativity, and Presentation. The judges award up to 5 points in each category. The act must score at least 80 points to move on to the next level.
Tonight, the Junior Division faces The Cut! Jennifer Lopez will be mentoring the acts.
Diana Pombo – Contemporary – Jennifer Lopez is Diana’s Idol. She’s thrilled to be mentored by her. She’ll dance a contemporary routine to “Rise Up.” Watch her twist her body into a pretzel! Jlo and the 11 year old contemporary dancer share a few tears together. “You did a beautiful job,” says Jlo. Misty compliments her vulnerability. She reminds her to watch the articulation in her feet when she’s barefoot. Ne-Yo calls it “close to perfect.” Score: 92
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhtV78D8TwE&t=2s
ImaBeast – Hip Hop – The show breezes past their performance. They’re in 2nd place. FOR NOW. They’ll be gone after the next act, obviously. Score: 84.2.
Mihacevich Sisters – Contemporary – The trio is perform using a couch as a prop. They finish the act, dramatically, as one of the girls falls off the back of the couch. Their best performance yet, for sure. Misty calls it “clean, powerful” and “real.” Jlo is very proud of them. She has two sisters as well. Score: 85.5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY57XLYfjWw
Imabeast is eliminated.
There are three more acts. One or both of the Top 2 will be eliminated. Probably both.
The Lab – Hip Hop – One of the tots calls Jlo an “old age” dancer. Heh. They mean it as a compliment–a trailblazer from an older era. They perform to a 50 cent song. They’re OK but not spectacular. The routine ends with the only impressive trick. Derek felt the energy throughout. “It was sick,” says Jlo. Ne-Yo calls it “clean.” Score: 86
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OabFc1VFOk
The Mihacevich Sisters are eliminated. I’m a little surprised. But there are 3 contemporary acts in this division, so the competition is tough.
Eva Iago – Contemporary – Jlo helps Eva open up. More tears from Jlo. “Don’t be afraid to feel that emotion,” she says. The young dancer performs to a cover of “Creep.” A very precise and athletic dancer, this is easily the best performance of the night. No way she doesn’t advance. Jlo takes the stage to give her a hug. “You belong here…110 percent,” says Derek. Eva cries as she describes what the performance means to her. “Our insecurities will always be here. We have to use them to strengthen ourselves.” Misty calls her a “beautiful soul, a beautiful dancer.” The Lab know they are toast. Score: 92.5.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXItM5auTeQ
The Lab are eliminated. Diana Pombo and Eva Iago advance.
Next: The Team Division face The Cut! Ne-Yo will mentor.
Swing Latino – Latin Ballroom – They plan to bring a “Colombian dance party to the stage.” They’ve sworn off sparkles this time. Derek misses them. This group’s thing seems to be tossing bodies to and fro. Like last time, Jlo gives them notes in Spanish. “Top notch,” she says. Misty calls it “stunning.” Score: 92.5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHDEDGIZGIs
Super Cr3w – Hip Hop – They’re going for emotion this time. Ne-Yo says in order to bring it, they’ll have to allow themselves to be vulnerable. The routine is inspired by the loved ones they’ve lost over the years. Misty appreciated how they stepped out of their box, but it didn’t come together the way it could have. Derek says he became emotional watching them. Ne-Yo felt it wasn’t as clean as past performances. The choreography on that was a little wonky. They’re toast. But we won’t find out until next week! Score: 88.8.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehbrC3kyRpg
Team Division….to be continued next week.
