World of Dance season 2 Qualifiers auditions continue tonight. Jennifer Lopez, Derek Hough and NE-YO are back on the judges panel, while Jenna Dewan serves as host.
In the end, there will be only one million dollar winner. That’s right–the last act standing wins $1 million dollars.
A total of 72 acts compete this season in the four age-based categories: Junior (17 years old and under, 1-4 dancers), Junior Team (17 years old and under, 5-15 dancers), Upper (18 years old and older, 1-4 dancers), and Upper Team (18 years old and older, 5-15 dancers).
The acts need 80 or above scores from the judges to advance to the Duels.
The Ruggeds – Upper Team – Breaking – The group is from The Netherlands. They explain that their moves are all self-taught. They have competed all over the world and have worked with artists like Justin Bieber. There’s so much going on at times, I don’t know where to look. Yet there are stand out solos as well. Great choreography. Very entertaining. Ne-Yo feels they need to work on their transitions. Jlo agrees. Derek feels they need more finesse. Ne-Yo – 82 – Jlo – 83 – Derek – 85 – Total – 83.3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0DpbncXS90
Josh & Taylor – Junior – Hip Hop – He’s 17 and she’s 14. They have known each other for five years–training together at the same studio. They don’t date, by the way. It’s a lyrical hip hop routine–they use a chair as a prop. And it’s pretty creative. At one point Josh slithers through the gap in the back like a snake. Cool. Oh. they both auditioned last year in two different groups. Jlo is impressed. Ne-Yo appreciated the small moments. Derek loved the use of the prop. Ha. Derek discovers he can fit through the chair. Barely! – Ne-Yo – 94 – Jlo – 94 – Derek – 92 – Total – 93.3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFYVZsLlsmY
Lock N Lol Crew – Upper Team – Locking – From Seoul South Korea, they love to Lock! They love to LOL! Oh gosh. Dressed in bumble bee colored suits they perform a funky, big band tinged routine. Fun. Ne-Yo loves the jackets. Jlo calls it “pure entertainment” but are in danger of being repetitive. Ne-Yo was impressed, but felt it lost energy part way through. Derek loved it. – Ne-Yo – 80 – Jlo – 79 – Derek – 84 – Total – 81.0 The group squeaks by. There are lots of tears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ7SXOsIFZk
Michael Dameski – Upper – Contemporary – He started dancing at the age of 10. He won Australia’s So You Think You Can Dance. The opportunities down under are limited, he says. He’s a very athletic and dynamic dancer. Derek is freaking out, he’s so impressed. Michael moved to LA 3 years ago. He doesn’t have a plan b. Jlo calls it “gorgeous…it was really beautiful.” she says, “It felt dangerous.” Ne Yo felt the performance was very musical. Derek appreciates his strength, “Fantastic..exactly what we’re looking for on the stage – Ne-Yo – 90 – Jlo – 95 – Derek – 93 – Total – 92.7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TRLttF3Zk0
LD Dance Company – Upper Team – Samba – Las Vegas showgirls have come to World of Dance. They have the headdresses to match. Actually, it’s a flashy Latin routine. There’s only one dude dancer. He used to be the drummer. Ne Yo tries on a new hat. Ha. Derek felt the moves were limited. Jlo appreciated the energy and entertainment, but felt it lacked artistry. Ohhh. Low scores. They don’t make it through. – Ne-Yo – 79 – Jlo – 73 – Derek – 71 – Total – 74.3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jl6T8cj_R4
Rascals – Junior Team – Hip Hop – The group is from Hawaii. Not many dance opportunities in Hawaii, and they can only afford one dance competition a year. It was a little too cute by half, but they are talented dancers. Derek says they danced clean and their execution was great. Jlo call them “adorable.” They need to calm down a bit though, she says. More polish. Ne-Yo liked the little one, who begins crying and exclaims that she doesn’t know why. – Ne-Yo – 83 – Jlo – 83 – Derek – 88 – Total – 84.7 SO MANY TEARS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj99AL3gHSs
Elektro Botz – Upper – Popping – Robotics is all this trio thinks about! The piece was inspired by one of the member’s mom who died from cancer last year. It’s very emotional for him to talk about. Impressive routine. Incredible moves. Wow. Ne Yo was impressed that they managed to bring out personality amid the robotic moves. Jlo loved the narrative, “You smashed it.” Derek called the separation in their movements “crystal clear” and “clean.” The only criticism–he would have liked it to end with a bit more of a flair. – Ne-Yo – 93 – Jlo – 88 – Derek – 86 – Total – 89.0. I’m surprised the scores weren’t higher.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8MgPnPv3wg
