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.
Embodiment – Upper Team – Contemporary – The choreographer currently performs in Jlo’s Vegas show. Conflict of interest? No? The entire crew seem to be back up dancers for various famous artists. Contemporary, but their moves are precise and robotic. Very muscular. Jlo acknowledges him “Now I get to tell you what I really think.” She compliments their technicality. Derek really appreciates the power and masculinity. Ne-Yo thought it was both elegant and masculine. Rudy wants to make a mark, not necessarily win. That remark is likely why Ne-Yo marked them down. What a dumb thing to say. Jlo tells him he’s got to be a killer if he hopes to get ahead. – Ne-Yo – 80 Jlo – 88 Derek – 86 – 84.7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5Y0xjKY-04
Daniel & Mishella – Junior – Ballroom – They’ve won 14 championships in all. Daniel looks like Derek when he was a kid. Or so they say. Little pros these children are. It’s scary. “It’s like looking in the mirror,” says Derek. They are both only 10. Derek says he wasn’t that good at the same age, and that his partners were always a foot taller. He advises the duo to push themselves. Jlo says it’s like watching two grownups. “really outstanding.” Ne-Yo loves their fashion. He notes a couple of tech issues, but says that overall it’s really good. – Ne-Yo – 80 Jlo – 87 Derek – 81 – 82.7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odl7wF_eYjA
Marissa & The Heartbreakers – Upper Team – Heels – They dance like everyone else but on “tiny little heels.” OK then. The group is all about lifting each other up! Empowerment! The group is dressed head to toe in black. They dance to Kelly Clarkson’s “Love So Soft.” They seem like NFL cheerleaders, with the sexy moves. They are wearing more clothing, however. Jlo says they didn’t have a glamour group like that last year. Turns out the lead auditioned for Jlo’s Vegas show. She thinks they were good, but capable of more. Derek calls them superheroes. Ne-Yo warns them not to overplay it. But super clean and tight, he says. – Ne-Yo – 83 Jlo – 86 Derek – 82 – 83.7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXIxs9j2FHg
Madison Brown – Junior – Contemporary – Her family moved around a lot because of her dad’s job. Mom, who found dance studios in every city where they moved, becomes very emotional talking about how dance makes her daughter happy. She’s only 12, but looks older. Jlo thinks she has a “womanly” quality. Ne-Yo complimented her unique moves. Derek is amazed by her maturity. – Ne-Yo – 84 Jlo – 88 Derek – 89 – 87
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Anb31EtDa-U
Freshh – Junior – Hip Hop – This quartet of dancers does not get a video package, which seems like a bad sign. Their moves are very frenetic. Calm down! Ha. Ne-Yo says their name fits. “Clean and tight, love the transitions.” He tells them to have more fun. Yes. They are super serious. Out of all the hip hop dancers Jlo has seen, they are the most funky, she says. Derek is really impressed by the footwork, but wants more personality. – Ne-Yo – 83 Jlo – 84 Derek – 85 – 84
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGMYzQl3WPU
Silver Beat – Upper Team – Afro Dance – This crew is bringing African dance to the stage, says the choreographer. The talent is from all over the world. They use the money they earn to build schools and pay for medicine in Africa. Her father was killed in Rwanda during the war. Jlo loves their energy and adrenaline, but feels their dancing needs to be at another level. Ne-Yo was waiting for the “wow” moment. Derek wants them to hit harder, but loves their spirit. – Ne-Yo – 80 Jlo – 77 Derek – 79 – 78.7. They don’t make it through. While they had a ton of energy, the routine just wasn’t at the highest level. Ne-Yo tells them–take all of our notes and come back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vE3FieWd_8
Royal Flux – Upper Team – Contemporary – They were cut at the duels last year. So they are back. Uh oh. One of the dancers is injured during rehearsal. The group NEEDS her for the routine to work. Unfortunately, she has a fractured foot. She’ll just dance on one foot! Hm. She’s carried out on stage piggy back. It looks like they changed up the routine so she’s either being lifted or flat on the floor. Clever? Derek compliments their transitions and athleticism. Ne-Yo applauds the injured dancer for soldiering on. Jlo calls them great technical dancers, emotive. They need to be cleaner, but she thinks they’ll go farther this time. – Ne-Yo – 82 Jlo – 91 Derek – 88 – 87.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twmfq6bz20w
