SYTYCD S5 Ep. 3 Auditions - LA & Seattle

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SHOW START -

Before we start this city, I have to say it is my favorite audition city.  Yes, I am completely biased for a few reasons.  One, I'm originally from a suburb of LA and I used to dance in Hollywood.  But mostly, I love this city audition because I know people who are/have auditioned so there's a chance I might see someone I know tonight.

Yeah Yeah Yeah's Heads Will Roll playing in beginning of LA street scene - BTW, have you seen the sick video for that song...so good.  And I-Spy Twitch (Season 4) hanging with the peeps!

Oooh...2-Min in and I already see someone I know.  Hee Hee...they're in the "If they're great, they go straight to Vegas section".  Very cool.

Watching from the audience are SYTYCD Season 4 alums: Comfort, Joshua, & Katie

DAY 1 LOS ANGELES -

Judges:  Nigel, Mary, & Adam Shankman (the Hairspray guy)

Bianca Revels - Tap

• Repeat auditioner, she made it to Top 40 last year and was cut
• Nice Russian in intro piece
• A Capella tap - clean sounds, good performance.  I liked the part where she was on toe and tapped over her foot (I haven't tapped in a long time so I have forgotten what everything is called)
• They'll put her through especially because she went so far last year which means any doubts about her other skills are removed.
  

Nigel - Consumate tap dancer = BRILLIANT
Mary - Best female tapper on show ever
Adam - Hope to see BIG things from her
Vegas

Brynelle & Xavier Blanton - Contemporary

• Brother and sister duo who are SUPER close and hold hands wherever they go.  That's "cool", and a little weird (kinda old school Angelina-ish)
• I can tell from the intro that she does not have great technique
• THAT WAS SO CREEPY!  They did a LOVE routine and are related
• But besides that, their dancing was atrocious!  They were shaky, had no transitions, literally followed the music (versus lyrical, not pantomime), he didn't know how to partner her and therefore touched her in VERY inappropriate places
• NEXT
  

Nigel - Strangest couple
Mary - They don't have the technique to carry their childlike style
He dances at a Ballet School and said he'd be fine not moving on because the audition brought him closer to his sister.  She said she'd been dancing since she was 4...that's 17 years.  Let's rewind to Caitlyn (my fav from yesterday) who had only taken ballet for 5-yrs...BIG DIFFERENCE
Adam - started throwing out big technical words like Cecchetti lines (I actually know what he's talking about...I studied that when I was little)
CUT

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I recognize a dancer that may be on after the commercial.  She auditioned last year.  Let's see if they show her routine. She had a scarf and pink in her hair.
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Debra Lawson - Contemporary

• Heavy set girl dancing to Breathe by Sia
• She tried to do that moving contemporary feeling style, but had no technique and ran around the stage as if she was "lost" because the lyrics say, "Help I have lost myself".  I really hate literal dancelations of songs. 
• You know she was cut before she started dancing (sadly, this is TV and she doesn't fit even if she were fabulous)
  

Nigel - She doesn't fit into traditional dancer (body type, movements for taller thinner people)
Orthodox Judaism - her religion prohibits her from dancing on Sabbath or in front of men
Adam - He feels closest to God when he dances so don't give it up because God doesn't make mistakes (well said Adam)
Cut (She was VERY gracious and humble)

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Montage of "Firsts for the Judges"

Suzanne Fernandez - Moden (I think)
Fairy Medicine Dance - High on Joy
CUT

John Fleming - Electro Performance Art?
Scary clown makeup and mime shirt
CUT

Michael Han - Ballet
Male en pointe and not good at it at all
CUT

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Calico Sequeira - Swing

• She's 30 so this is her last shot, but she knows she'll be doing Swing for a lifetime
• She smiled and did good partner work on the floor, but where were all the crazy lifts like Benji and Heidi (Season 2)?
• I don't think she'd be able to do the other styles
  

Nigel - Feels like she's part of a Lindy Hop club, but not a professional level
Mary - Entertaining, not high enough level
Adam - Didn't have a presentation quality (lacked performance)
CUT

Adam said he'd love to dance with her and she challenged him to try it.  He did and he was awesome.  He led her through a really good Swing routine.  You can tell he's a great male lead because she didn't know what would happen, yet was able to follow as if it were choreographed.  I would be THRILLED if I were her and had that experience. 

LOL - Faux Judging using Katie, Comfort, Lauren, and Joshua
Katie - He has spunk
Joshua - You know...this competition is about...
Adam - BE CAREFUL, I PUT YOU THROUGH LAST YEAR!
Joshua - Ticket to Vegas!!!

Adam is so much fun!  Always the performer no matter what!  Loved it!

Asuka Kondoh & Ricky Sun - Ballroom (Latin)

• Repeat auditioners - Asuka made it to Top 40.  I don't think Ricky made it to Vegas.
• She lost out last time to Chelsie Hightower
• They seem unassuming when they are just standing there, but when they start dancing...WOW.
• She has a very flirty style and he looks very masculine.  They are great together. 
• I know she's a shoe in for Vegas.  Last year, I think he was cut in choreography (or in Vegas, can't remember).  I think they may put both through (Like Jannette and Romulo yesterday).
  

Nigel - Ricky has a tough job because Asuka steals the show.  Ricky held his own and he improved since last year
Mary - masterful
Adam - He couldn't keep his eyes off Asuka. 
Vegas for both!

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Montage of good dancers that make it to Vegas

Devin Oshiro - Contemporary

• They don't actually show her name, but she's shown in a "evening rally of good dancers" segment
• She auditioned last year and was the first audition they showed for the season.  She is well known for standing still when Barracuda starts playing because it wasn't her song.  She's also known for pink hair.
• This year she dances with a scarf and is beautiful
• Great extension and turn sequence
  

Nigel - Your work is superb

Jason Glover - Contemporary

• I think he is the guy who danced for his life last year in Vegas to "Baby's Romance"
• I really liked him last year and was sad when he was cut (maybe Top 60-80)
• I have been informed that his name might be Jason Glover, but I am not 100% about that.  If anyone can confirm, I'd appreciate it.  Thanks!
• He is a beautiful dancer and has a cute face =)
  

Melissa Sanvig (aka Naughty Ballerina) - Ballet
Sexy ballet en pointe, but without the straps so really it's 1/2 demi

All three are shown going to Vegas
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Nathan Trasorio - Contemporary

• He goes to Dance Precisions.  I've seen his YouTube videos and may have seen him compete, not sure.
• He is really good.  Love that he is very boy when dances, yet can make the movements seem soft too.
• It's obvious his strength are his turns.  Amazing pirouette into a fouete rondejamb (sp?) while slowly lowering to the floor, or the 5 or more turns that slowed down until his toe dragged behind him while on demi pointe.  
• Really nice emotion.
  
• I'd say he was a definite except for one main problem...Age 17
  

Adam - great technique and center
Mary - extraordinary (contrast, technique, performance)
Nigel - one of the best centers they'd seen (cited Danny & Travis hee hee my favorites of all time on the show), and great exit control from turns, brilliant dancer
Age 17 - Not eligible, but he BETTER come next year
HE GOT A TICKET FOR SEASON 6 VEGAS!!!


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Choreography Round (? Dancers) with Lauren Gottlieb

In the end, 30 dancers from Los Angeles Day 1 made it through.



DAY 2 LOS ANGELES -

Judges:  Nigel, Mary, & Adam

Sammy Ramirez - Hip Hop

• Former wrestler / has crazy red & black hair
• Holy crap he had some crazy isolations.  He barely moved and yet you saw every little change.  
• Cute smile.
• I love hip hop that freaks me out it's so good
• I think choreo because we don't know if he can "dance"
  

Adam - I love you, please tell me you do more styles
Mary - Love your look, love your ticking
Nigel - Beaming smile that lights the stage up (LOL hair choreograhy)
On to choreo

Stacey House - Spazz Dance?

• I don't even know how to classify that.
• It was uncomfortable to watch like Elaine from Seinfield, yet strangely intriguing as if it was so different maybe it was good?
• But then back to this planet we know she's just a spazz and would never make the show
• NEXT
  

Adam - What's your training (She lives on a farm and they make up their own styles)
Mary - Not a dancer
CUT

Sad...she's crying =,(

Amanda Kerby - Contemporary

• Dad has had MS for 13-yrs, but has been symptom free for 6-yrs
• Daddy's girl, but in a sweet way
• I know her...she used to dance at JPD in Riverside (where my sister used to compete as well).  Great technique.  Haven't seen her dance for at least 2-yrs, so not sure how she looks now.  You can find lots of her videos on YouTube.  
• She has not lost any technique.  Her turns are exquisite and she has great feet.
• I think her choreography was a little choppy and not as smooth on her transitions, but a really good performance technically.    
• Nigel had his dirty old man smile on when he watched.  I think he has a thing for blondes (Kherington & Chelsie last year always got the perv comments from him).
• Amanda is a beautiful girl, so no doubt she's going to Vegas.
  

Nigel - Grabbed by her beauty, but not her dance. 
Mary - Extremely talented and beautiful.  Good center.
Adam - Connect to emotions - Her Dad makes her feel empowered to do anything.  Adam said he saw that part, but not the song's message (Breathe Sia again).  Beautiful dancer.
Vegas

Phillip Chbeeb - Hip Hop

• Made it to Vegas last year, but got pneumonia and couldn't go.
• Judges gave him a straight ticket to Vegas without having to audition.
• He is such a sick dancer.  He moves like he's jelly.  
• He did do a dance off with Robert Muraine and lost during the regular season last year, but Robert was all about flash whereas Philip has style.
• I hope he does well!
  

Arielle Coker - Contemporary

• They became friends over a bond after a car accident and Phillip Chbeeb is partnering her.
• She looks really familiar...did she try out and go to Vegas last year?  I swear she looks like a girl who partnered with a guy that didn't make it (he was older and a friend).
• OK, while I am supposed to be watching her, I was MORE impressed by Phillip's partnering skills.  That will bode well for him in Vegas because he showed aptitude like Gev (Season 4) and Dom (Season 3).  
• I can tell she's a good dancer which makes me wonder why she doesn't do a solo to showcase her skills.  There were a lot of tricks, but few dance moves.  
• I think they'll make her do choreo...not sure.
  

Nigel - Phillip stole the performance
Mary - Clever, she is a good dancer
Adam - She's a good dancer, and brought out an even better dancer in Phillip
Vegas  (I guess the Phillip touch helped instead of hindered...because they really didn't watch her)

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Montage of "good"

Alexie Agdeppa - Contemporary

• Rowland Heights Baby!
• She had good technique and a really pretty style
• (Have been told she teaches at Dellos in Walnut.  That's my alma mater dance studio!)
  

Mary - lovely

Diana Vaden - Jazz
Strong dancing

Mary - Magnificent Body
Nigel - Great potential

Chanel Smith - Contemporary

• More ballet, than contemporary
• Seemed competition dancer
  

Adam - I love her, she's crazy

ALL THROUGH TO CHOREOGRAPHY
(Nigel is EVIL - "See this ticket?  This is something hopefully you'll earn after choreography)
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Kevin Cormier - Latin?

• Nickname "Shakiro" - His Hips Don't Lie - they scream suckage LOL
• Please don't butcher Magdalena!!!
• Woah!  He CAN shake those hips can't he.
• I really could have done without the closeups of his crotch gyrating.  That image will haunt my dreams
• Made me smile, but not because I liked it
• NEXT
  

Nigel - Kevin thinks he's mastered bellydancing and hips like Shakira.  Insular - nothing besides hips moved
Mary - Not dancing besides the gyrating
Adam - Not competition ready
CUT

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Choreography Round (? Dancers)

I see Paula Van Oppen in the choreography round (grey sweats, yellow shoes).  I wish I could have seen her solo to see why she went to choreo versus straight to Vegas because I tend to think her solos usually kill it and make people stop and stare (google First Time Ever I Saw Your Face...gives me chills). She's also a Dance Precision alumni and won all the time.

Chanel Smith - Cut (She lost her "special" during choreo) / She tried to be brave for the cameras then broke down.  I hate that part.  =(
Sammy Ramirez - Vegas (YES!)
Diana Vaden - Vegas
Alexie Agdeppa - Vegas


In the end, 21 dancers from Los Angeles Day 2 made it through.

THAT'S 51 DANCERS TOTAL FROM LOS ANGELES



FINAL CITY!!!!!
DAY 1 SEATTLE -

First time in Seattle, ugh...SEX is here

Judges: Nigel, Mary, & Mia Michaels (The Goddess of Contemporary)

Christopher Keller - Ballroom (mixed)

• Argentine Tango, Swing, and other styles
• Will play with gender roles and be lighthearted 
• Oh I am sure She Wants Revenge will LOOOOVE that their song was used for something silly.  Adam doesn't seem like the type that likes "silly" very much
• That was really bad.  They barely moved and he kept making these comical sarcastic faces that seemed out of place with the number. He'd be a better actor than dancer. 
• NEXT
  

Nigel -Not good, like dancing with a stiff ironing board / Keep dancing socially
Mary - (Can't stop laughing) Not good
Mia - Strange - Did it feel like major energy expenditure and performance?  Response, NO.
CUT

Nick Salzman - Hip Hop

• Aspiring Tattoo artist (pierced and fully tatted).  His nickname is "Nick Nasty"
• Mia looks like she likes the way he looks (She's such a dirty old lady LOL)
• He was better than his appearance, but he wasn't a great BBoy.  His feet were sloppy and he didn't have the finesse in some of his moves.
• He fell out of some moves and seemed to get frustrated and gave the "cut" the music movement.
• You NEVER give up during an audition.  This is your one shot to impress.  Fake it till you Make it!  
• Maybe choreo?  IDK what the judges will think.  He does possess bad boy qualities.
  

Mia - Why stop?  He ran out of energy.  
He's just happy to be there...why do people do that? If that were the case, you wouldn't have auditioned hoping to make it.
Nigel - Counters him
He then disrespects the judges
Mary - You were a YES until you opened your mouth and your true personality came out.
Mia - You cannot disrespect the executive producer because what will you do with the other dancers and choreographers.
CUT

Let's review again - Be respectful and take the criticism so you can grow.  DON'T TALK BACK!  When will people learn?

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They don't seem too excited about Seattle's talent from the teaser

Promoting battle with SEX...bleck...I hate that he keeps getting airtime.  He just won't GO AWAY!  There are so many more qualified dancers who should get that time.  But, they don't bring ratings like SEX.  Ugh.
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Demetrious Bistrevsky - Breakdancing (?)

• HUGE Giant Guy (for a dancer that is)
• Can do splits
• Overheard Mia "He makes me nervous...he's going to hurt himself"
• There was movement, some strength moves, but no dancing, SCARY
• NEXT
  

Mary - How long have you been breaking?  3-Mo (OH, that's what that was...I couldn't tell) / Not enough strength and didn't match the music
Mia - Scared her
LOL - Sh*t fest
Nigel - Nothing there
CUT

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Montage of bad - filled with snooze fests, spills, weirdness

Judges rant - City pisses us off, no guts, not inspiring, just GO FOR IT

GET ON THIS STAGE AND PERFORM OR GET OFF BECAUSE I DON'T EVEN HAVE A TV SHOW RIGHT NOW

Ouch...I think I recognize the guy they show at 1:32.  They don't show his dancing (he's actually a decent dancer), but to be shown with this segment is not good.
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Kelsea Taylor - Contemporary

• Scary when Nigel says, "Please be good, please"...NO PRESSURE NIGEL!
• Cool modern broken doll style - cute face
• I LOVE YOUR HAIR - Black with white bangs and blue (like mine) in the back - 40's hairstyle
• She has nice feet, and OK technique, but her modern and performance were outstanding.  Great style
• I think Vegas
  

Nigel - Didn't want her to stop - Sonya Tayeh would love her zaniness
Mary - Love musicality, smart - not the strongest, but didn't show weaknesses
Mia - Beautiful weird destructive dancer
Yes to choreo (guess they can't be sure, especially with so many bad dancers)

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Choreography Round (23 dancers)

Kelsea Taylor - Vegas (Unusual and entertaining)

In the end,  4 dancers from Seattle Day 1 made it through.

(WOW...Only 4 dancers?  That's Crazy!)




DAY 2 SEATTLE -

Judges: Nigel, Mary, & Mia

Kuponohi'ipoi Aweau - Contemporary

• Hawaiian Name (Child of Cherished Honesty) - Awww...reminds me of my other favorite SYTYCD Hawaiian, Markie (MKiK Season 4)
• Funky hair, but the dancing in the intro is NICE!  I'm excited!
• I think I am in love!  =)  He was sooo sexy (looks and dancing) and made me feel his dancing.
• I swear he dances like MKiK too and is from Hawaii...I wonder if he danced at the same place as Mark?
• I really hope he makes it because I REALLY LIKE HIM!!!!
• Vegas Please!
  

LOL - His nickname is Pono or "Porn"

Mary - She thought some was great and some was effeminate.  (I disagree)
Mia - I have faith in you.  I like your look and I think there's more
Nigel - Quirkiness reminds him of MKiK.  Yes to choreo
On to choreo (Please do well Pono...for me!)

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Summary of rest of audition:

Girl - contemporary - on to choreo
Guy - contemporary - Vegas
Guy - Hip Hop (high hopes...where did he go?)
2 more guys (contemporary & hip hop)

Don't know results of them...
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David "SEX" Soller - Crapstyle

• He thinks he is a celebrity because people cheer for him.  He doesn't get that they just like watching him make a fool of himself.  -Sigh-
• What pisses me off more is he is 35-yrs old and not even eligible.
• Stop pandering to him
  

Leonid Knyshov (Show listed his name as Leonard, but he goes by "Wiseleo") - Another unknown style

• Ukranian, recovers data off failed harddrives and is like a grief counseler
• He also runs webpages like how to improve your dating profile
• Crazy feet and orchestra arms
• Weird club bouncing dance
• Lots of flailing
  

Nigel - What style is that? Made up...trained in ballroom, jazz, hip hop / Rave dancing
Mary - Juvenile dancing
Mia - Battle between him and SEX

They pan to SEX whose mother tells him it's OK and he should battle.  Nigel is game (all for ratings)

OK, let's endure this dance-off between SEX and Wiseleo
Round 1 - SEX
Round 2 - DRAW
Round 3 - LEO

Judges decision -
Mia - LEO
Mary - LEO
Nigel - SEX

WINNER = LEO!!!  Nigel asked Wiseleo if he'd feel better calling it a draw and Wiseleo said he'd take the win.  Good for him!

(BTW, you can find Leo on Twitter at @wiseleo)

Nigel will let SEX go to the choreography round.

SEX thinks he is like Twitch (Season 4) and should be appreciated because he keeps trying even after not making it.  Nigel retorted with I will appreciate it when I see improvement.
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Choreography Round (22 dancers)

SEX - CUT (But Nigel ackowledged he didn't give up)
Pono... (can't spell it) - Vegas (YES!!!)

In the end, 9 dancers from Seattle Day 2 made it through

THAT'S 13 TOTAL DANCERS FROM SEATTLE

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TOTAL 172 TOTAL DANCERS MOVING ON TO VEGAS!

NEXT TUESDAY = VEGAS CALLBACKS