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 Lab – Junior Team – Hip Hop – These kiddos from West Covina California are back after being eliminated last year. The participants all come from broken homes. A very colorful routine. They’re well rehearsed. If they had issues last year–they are a pretty tight team this year, with decent tricks. Derek got chills and calls them “laser sharp.” Jlo calls them a “force to be reckoned with.” NeYo says they danced like one person. He can’t believe how young they are. – Ne-Yo 95 – Jlo 92 – Derek 95 – Total 94
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JHfbEhqz3o
Pasha and Daniella – Upper – Ballroom – They’ve been married for a few years now. Daniella says they break the ballroom rules. They live in New York but emigrated from Russia. Aw. The family had to leave their adult brother behind. He’s still not able to emigrate. They dance a very slow and slinky tango. Whoa. There’s a flip that’s so fast! Cool tricks. Jlo compliments their quality of movement, “Very sexy, dramatic interesting routine.” Ne-Yo wasn’t totally wowed. They need to be more competitive, he thinks. Derek calls Danielle “stunning.” Derek had a few quibbles with the choreography, however. – Ne-Yo 79 – Jlo 93 – Derek 87 – Total 86.3 I’m betting they do a more traditional ballroom with the lifts and glitter next time in order to win over Ne-Yo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPoET9G1KLs
Connection – Upper Team – Hip Hop – The team is from Chihuahua, Mexico, where dance is an escape from crime and the gangs. The choreography is tight, but they aren’t holding my attention. The judges really love them, though. Jlo calls it “clean and dynamic.” She loved their “suave moments.” Derek loved their humor. Ne-Yo also appreciates their clean precision. “This is how you win a million dollars,” he says. – Ne-Yo 90 – Jlo 92 – Derek 90 – Total 90.7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR3P7CLOhmo
Charity and Andres – Junior – Contemporary – The two are 17 year olds from Utah. Charity was inspired to audition for WOD after watching season 1. They dance to “Say You Won’t Let Go” with a routine that’s full of impressive moves that borrow from various styles of dance. “Could you be any cuter?” says Jlo. “It was so magical.” They are very sweet, along with being talented. Derek is impressed by their athleticism. Ne-Yo would assume they are a couple because their “connection was that strong.” Welp. I wouldn’t assume that. AND I’LL JUST LEAVE IT THERE. After making a typically teenaged face, Charity attributes their chemistry to ACTING! – Ne-Yo 97 – Jlo 96 – Derek 93 – Total 95.3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBceZNnob7g
Bdash & Konkrete – Upper – Krump – The duo meld choreography to Krump, which is notable for its freestyle. The two recently became fathers are are newly committed to their craft–so much so they even took choreography classes. The routine is super watchable. Loved the slick hat tricks! Jlo called it both sickening and smooth in addition to being at “another level.” Ne-Yo called it clean and synchronized. The style is hard to choreograph, he says. Derek admires their dedication. – Ne-Yo 96 – Jlo 93 – Derek 94 – Total 94.3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keqRqAxLBjc
Fabulous Sisters – Junior Team – Urban Dance – This female troop is from Japan. They don’t speak English. Oh. They are victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan in 2011. They lived near the nuclear plant that leaked radiation. They couldn’t go out and play, so they stayed inside and danced. The girls explode on stage in a burst of color. It’s chaos, energy and precision all at once. Derek felt like he was in an opera house. “It was so theatrical and dramatic…magical.” Ne-Yo can’t wait to see what else they have. Jlo calls it “very special…riveting.” The girls bow and thank the judges with each compliment (there’s an interpreter on stage relaying the comments). But when they learn they advanced, the girls erupt with emotion. – Ne-Yo 94 – Jlo 93 – Derek 97 – Total 94.7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSJEGAcHkhY
