All of our finalists are gathered in Vegas for a long, strenuous elimination process, where they must master choreography in the styles of hip hop, jazz, ballroom, contemporary, and Broadway. They also must break into groups and choreograph an original routine to a song chosen at random.
In the Vegas round, the cameras follow many of the dancers from the auditions, including many of the judges' early favorites. But as we learn early on, no dancer is safe.
One of the first to be cut is Natalie, who showed exceptional talent in the auditions and even came thisclose to making the top 20 last year. And after a solid performance in rehearsals, I thought she would breeze right through. But when she faltered during the actual performance, the judges were ruthless and sent her home. Brandon, who auditioned with her, is clearly upset, but pulls through his routine, and stays, despite Mia's being unimpressed by him.
Although Natalie was cut right off the bat, the judges gave second chances to several dancers, like Gabi Rojas, who screwed up not one, but two routines. The judges let her dance for her life anyway and -shock!- kept her despite her inability to pick up the choreography. Can we just say double standard?
Caitlin Kinney, who performed after her sister Megan made it through, also fell flat on her contemporary, and was also given the chance to dance for her life. Although her solo was kind of boring, she got 3 passes from the judges, and after the Broadway routine, was ultimately chosen over her baby sister. I was also disappointed that Priscilla, one of my faves, was presumably cut for falling at the end of her routine, although I thought she covered quite nicely.
Others that got second chances were Eric "Silky" and Tony, who was asked to repeat his Mia Michaels routine. Silky was sent home, but Tony was saved.
Many of the dancers from the auditions were nowhere to be seen, like Anna Dunn, so I'm assuming they were cut early, while many others who made it through to the end I had never seen until this point. The Kasprzak brothers also made it through, but if the previews are any indication, one of them won't make the top 20. If that's the case, my bet is on Evan, who is a bit younger and seemingly more likeable than his schticky brother. I also caught a glimpse of Kupono, who I would love to see through to the Top 20.
Tonight, the Top 20 dancers will be revealed- who do you want to make it? How did you feel about last night's cuts? Did you think the "second chances" were fair?
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I just watched their choices for the Top 20. I think I was saddest about the guy from the Miami ballet. I was blown away when they showed him dance. That and he reminds me of my good friend Blake, who isn't Asian, but is built just like that kid and moves very similar.
I was sick that they cut Natalie (SICK I SAY, SICK!) especially that they cut her AFTER the choreographer used her and Brandon to show everyone how it was supposed to be done. So are we to believe that Sonya can't judge the performance of her own choreography but Mary Murphy, et al can? PLEASE.
I was quite pleased that when the discussion about Brandon came up when choosing the Top 20 that Mary and Nigel basically told the naysayers to shut it.
I think that maybe the whole thing about Natalie and Brandon was that there was so much buzz about them that when they actually performed, Mia and Lil C were expecting the heavens to open and the greatest dancers that ever lived would be on the stage, rather than two kids who were SO good. How could anyone live up to the crazy hype.
I will really miss Natalie, but was happy that Brandon made it. I hope that calm heads prevail and that he continues to wow us.
Was sorry that one of those two brothers got cut. And really hated to see some of the others fall by the wayside - many of whom I loved in the preliminaries.
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