SYTYCD S7 Ep. 1 - Auditions New York & Miami

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*Sidenote - I failed at watching SYTYCD S6. It started so soon after S5 and I was so invested in that season because it was my first time blogging it.  Also, all the Fall shows started and I ran out of time.  I am so happy SYTYCD is back during the Summer.  It just fits so well as a Summer show.  I have all of S6 DVRed and I was slowly making my way through.  I'm a bad supporter because my sister is really good friends w/ Kathryn & Philip and danced w/ Pauline at one point.  I should have watched it at least for them.

SHOW START -
Show begins w/ a more interesting intro including dancers who are auditioning this year.  I instantly recognize Alexie Agadepa from Dellos Dance Studio in Walnut, CA...home of Pauline Mata, and former dance studio of my sister (and my past dance home as well).  Alexie (forgive me if I've spelled her name wrong) has auditioned for the past two seasons and has made it close to the Top 20 in Vegas. 

Cat announces that this season will be the hardest yet because they are only taking the Top 10 dancers for the season.  I'm actually pretty stoked about the show changes.   All-Star dancers from seasons past are returning to dance with the Top 10 contestants.  Please note there are 12 All-Stars.

They are:

• Allison (S2)
• Pasha (S3)
• Neil (S3)
  
• Anya (S3)
• Lauren (S3)
• Dominic / DTrix (S3)
  
• Twitch (S4)
• Comfort (S4)
• Courtney (S4)
• Mark (S4)
• Ade (S5)
  
• Kathryn (S6)

Let's get this show on the road shall we...
 
DAY 1 NEW YORK
Judges - Nigel, Adam Shankman, & Mia Michaels (Both Adam & Mia are now permanent judges and Mary is a choreographer this season, not a permanent judge)

Sarah Brinson - Age 22 / Contemporary

• Saw herself as the "big" girl dancer and was self conscious growing up
• Danced to "Stand By Me"
• She had pretty and had a real breath in her dancing.  She could hold some parts and wait until the last second to release to other moves or hold another until she melted.
  
• It was really pretty to watch.
  
• I also thought she had a beautiful face and smile.
  
• I say she'll go to Vegas, but honestly, she probably wouldn't make the show because they always choose small girls who can be tossed for partnering.  "Big" girls don't last forever on the show. 

Nigel said she looked like Charlize Theron and he said she was amazing, great lines, great use of music, and good performance. Strong / excellent.

Mia said she dances like a mature dancer, not a 22-yr old.

Joke made because her parents were professional golfers and Nigel asked if her Mom played w/ Tiger Woods which sounded bad.  Contestant blushed.

Adam said she was self assured and knew exactly who she was as a dancer.

STRAIGHT TO VEGAS

Giselle Peacock (Age - 28) & Henry Byalikov (Age - 24) - Latin Ballroom

• DAMN GIRL, put those boobs back in your leotard before you poke someone's eye with them!
• They toured with the dance show Burn the Floor and were on Broadway for 6-mo.
  
• Alright, just finished watching them dance and I have to say I have seen better.
  
• First off, she has a HORRIBLE boob job.  I think dancers really can't pull off the big fake tatas because they don't have enough fat on their chests to hide the outline of the implant.  And, she looks kinda old.  Melissa was almost 30 last year, but looks younger than her.
  
• Secondly, they know how to perform, but there was fake chemistry between them.  He was too pretty and slightly flamoboyant and she was too altered. Most of what I felt was from the great Samba beat they were dancing to more than them.
  
• I say choreo for both.

Mia said they were smoking hot and they did it so right. 

Adam said they tore up the floor and he was turned on.

Nigel said they were sensational and he saw them in Burn the Floor and thought they were the stars of the show.

STRAIGHT TO VEGAS (I disagree w/ this, but they're sometimes nicer to Ballroomers because there are less of them competing and they're needed).

Mike Perlman - Age 27 / Fake Dancing

• Dancetastic Furious Footwork from the 80s = 1-2-3 Party "The World's #1 Renegade Dance Troup"
• Yeah that was pretty lame and ridiculously not even funny.
• He's Lazer and his teammates are Ice & Ultra.
  

NEXT

Montage of bad dancers or weird dancers or freaky dancers.

Teddy Tedholm - Age 18 / Contemporary

• Returning auditoner from S6.  He was the guy w/ the loud plaid pants. He went straight to Vegas last auditions and he really wants to return there.
  
• I actually didn't see him audition last season so not sure what his style is, but I didn't really like him.  He had that spastic contemporary style that almost looks like you're not really dancing, but rather flailing around.  It's kind of like Mia's style, but less organized.  It's controlled chaos because every flail is set to music, but it didn't feel organic to me.  He didn't fit the choreography to me.
  
• Not sure what the judges will do because they're comparing him against what they already know of him and I don't know what they think at this point.
  

Mia is crying and says he reminds her of the unpopular kid and the pain he taps into is genius.  Mia really likes him.

Adam said he put himself out there and connects emotionally and he's really special and Adam feels honored.

Nigel said he's a beautiful whimsical dancer, but he didn't live up to expectations in Vegas.

STRAIGHT TO VEGAS
(I am rewinding and trying to "feel" what the judges felt during that performance)

Briana De Falco - Age 20 / Ballet

• She has a nice body, great feet, good technique (only showed a snippet)
• She probably would be prettier w/o all the makeup on
• STRAIGHT TO VEGAS

Daniel Baker - Age 21 / Ballet

• Shown doing grand jete turns around the room (reminds me of Danny Tidwell)
• He's from Miami...wonder if he's from the Miami Ballet, like Alex Wong?
• Great dancer body..masculine and hairless chest
• STRAIGHT TO VEGAS

Montage of people who have put their "day jobs" on hold to audition.


Scott Vogel - Age 25 / IDK Style Dance (AKA Country Line Dancing)

• Guy who cleans up bodily fluids from homicides...GROSS!
• Dance is his escape from blood and brain matter...YUMMY
• Surprise surprise...it's hard for him to find a girlfriend.
  
• I think this is some kind of line dancing that's partially country, but mostly looks strange w/o the rest of the people in the line. - he confirms this

After telling the judges what he does, they're grossed out.  He says he loves it because he can help people and Mia said, "but they're dead." Oh, he also runs a "cereal bar"...yes, I see the connection.  Please watch out for brain matter in your oatmeal when eating at his cereal bar.

NEXT (I love that Adam and Mia won't say "NO"...they say, "It's not a yes, sorry."

Chris "Isolock" Dixon - Age 23 / Hip Hip - Isolocking

• How funny that he came with his mentor and they dressed like twins.
• His arms looked like those blow up air creature things at car dealerships where they move all crazy.  The stripes really helped make it look cool.
  
• I say Choreo.

Nigel - the eccentricity was good.  He's seen better isos, but not w/ locking.  Toni Basil would love it. Great fun.

Mia hopes he can do more. 

Adam saw some aspects that showed he could do more.

CHOREO

Choreography - 34 Dancers total

• Choreographed by Courtney Galliano (S4) and Jason Glover (S5)
• Ooooh, Christen, your boyfriend is on stage ;)
• Yeah, so Chris Dixon kinda sucks pretty bad. NEXT

15 dancers made it through to Vegas from Day 1

DAY 2 NEW YORK

Jamie Greco - Age 30 /

• B Horror films maker
• Cross-dresser
• Wearing a big Carmen Miranda-esque fruit head-dress
• Danced to "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" and proceeded to strip. Under the jacket was a pink tutu thing over some small panties and broccoli taped over his nips.  He threw the real broccoli to Mia and she caught it. 
  

Adam said "I get it, I feel the same way," and Jamie responded, "Thank you, I'm not the only fruit here."  Called you out Adam! LOL

NEXT

Montage of dancers that go "boom" on the stage.  Spills, slips, and falls time.

Wadi Jones - Age 23 / Hip Hop

• Free running - he's like the Matrix jumping off objects and up walls doing flips.  They're actually playing Matrix music in the background. He spoke about what he does as a metaphor to tackling life.
  
• This reminds me of some crime show I saw where a guy went missing and they found out what happened to him because of his crazy shoes.  He was into jumping off things while sorta dancing.
  
• Very athletic and strong.  Lots of tricks and he made all them look easy.  He's like a b-boy, but different.  I liked him.  I say choreo.

The judges were amazed by how light he was on his feet.  They never heard him "thud".

CHOREO

Anthony Burrell - Age 29 / Contemporary

• LONG lines and extensions. Very rhythmic.
  
• Nigel says he'd be great in the competition and one of the best dancers he's seen in NY. 
• VEGAS

Megan Davis - Age 24 / Contemporary

• Dancing to Kate Nash's Nicest Thing - Gah, I love that song so much...makes my heart hurt.
• Gorgeous...evoked a lot of emotions.  She may not have had the best technique, but her performance was captivating. 
• VEGAS

Edward Spots - Age 20 / Contemporary Ballet

• Was featured on S6 auditions (I didn't see)
• Woah, look at those pearly whites!  Looks like he has more teeth than a normal person.  What a great megawatt smile.
  
• Beautiful second turns in the intro for him.
  
• Wow, beautiful upper body port de bra (arms) and movement.  Great expression on his face.  Nice control on pirouettes. My only fault on him is his weak arches and slightly stiff limberness.  But overall, I really liked his performance.
  
• I say Vegas.
  

Confirmed he's currently dancing with Alvin Ailey (nice).

After his dad finally saw him dance for the first time on the show, they have a relationship now.  Awww...that makes me so happy.

CHOREO (WHY?  Boo...honestly, knowing them it's probably because of his slight flamboyancy)

Megan Carter - Age 18 / Contemporary

• She's the "thick" dancer who is always judged before she dances because she's not "small".  She's a dance major in college.
  
• Mia inspired Megan because Mia isn't one of the "small" dancers either.
  
• That was beautiful  The way she moved was so natural and evoked emotions in me. She has really good technique and I am sure it will solidify with age, but it was the performance that I loved the most.
  
• Vegas (maybe)

Mia & Adam are crying again...I'm going to love them as permanent judges because they're so about the art and not just the flash.  They "feel" dance so deep in their guts.

Adam said she just blew all stereotypes and it was gorgeous.  She loves to dance to she showed her joy. Fantastic.

Mia talks about how she was told she wouldn't dance because of her body, but as a choreographer she looks at the dancer and their spirit, no matter their shape.  She looks at the artist.

Nigel said it will be difficult to make it as a dancer and Mia didn't book jobs, but that spurred her on to be a choreographer & a creator.

CHOREO (Yeah, I kinda figured they wouldn't send her straight even if she was good).

Choreography - 31 Dancers Total

• Wadi Jones & Megan Carter CUT
• Edward Spots - VEGAS

16 dancers made it through to Vegas from Day 2

31 Total for New York

Hmmm...we spent 1-Hr 20-Min in NY and will only be in Miami for 40-Min.  Must not have as much talent to showcase.

DAY 1 MIAMI
Judges - Nigel, Jason Gilkison (Ballroom expert), Sonya Tayeh (she's so awesome)

Michael Petr - Age 30 / Ballroom

• Inspired to dance because of Dirty Dancing
• Hey look Devin, this guy has the same outfit on as Ballroom Lil E...well, maybe just the same open shirt look. ;)
• I have a hard time w/ male ballroom dancers because while they're "sexy", they always seem so cheesy too.  He kept pulling his face in this "o" move.  He seemed more masculine than some though.  He does look old though.  He looks older than 30 to me.
  
• Maybe Vegas...I never know w/ the ballroomers

Nigel said he liked him because he wasn't pulling his face...uh, Nigel, you think that "o" face is a natural face? Great lines, technique.

Sonya - very electric

Jason - fantastic

STRAIGHT TO VEGAS

Tyrell Rolle - Age 24 / Contemporary

• Awww, his dad is proud of him when he watches him dance.  I love when fathers can be so open w/ their emotions about their sons dancing.  
• Grew up in a poor neighborhood and while most people in his neighborhood took up hip hop, he became a contemporary dancer.
• I wish he wasn't wearing those shorts. They're killing his perfect lines.
  
• BEAUTIFUL.  Loved his fluidity and lines.  One of the few dancers that made me go ooooohhhh when I watched him dance.
  
• I think Vegas.
  

Nigel said fabulous arms.  Only been dancing for 7 years (wow)

Sonya - Your lines are stunning, port de bra gorgeous. Masculine and believable.

Jason - beginning to end fantastic. strong, secure, emotional, loved it.

VEGAS (aww, his family crying for him...so sweet)

Henry Rivera - Age 19 / Contemporary

• I think I remember him from S5 auditions.  I think I liked him, but he got cut in Vegas.
• YES, it is him....I still love his dancing.  So pretty.  Oh man, that develope a le second where he slowly tilted his body off center in the opposite direction was like watching chocolate melt. I hope he gets his personality quirks under control because his nervousness won't bode well on camera.
  
• I think he used to go by Henrico if I check my notes from Miami last time.
• I say Vegas.

Nigel - Brilliant, technique & performance

Sonya - every single movement was accounted for and mattered

Jason - Phenomenal

Best dancer in Miami so far

STRAIGHT TO VEGAS

Montage of Family Affair...about how the whole family is in on the act

Darla Kopylova - Age 19 / American Ballroom (I think)

• She's auditioning w/ her dad, but she's doing some inappropriate lifts and acting like she's "in love" with him.  It's distracting for this type of performance. I don't think I actually paid attention to "her" as a dancer.
  
• Quote "Nobody has ever done it with their Dad before." Um, yeah, that's gross...don't say that again (even if you meant it differently)
• NEXT

Ami Aguilar-Riley - Age 27 / Contemporary

• Married with a 6-yr old son named Donovan who she taught to do the robot.  Her kid is adorable and his hair is jealz-inducing.
  
• Danced to The Postal Service's The District Sleeps Alone
• She has some good qualities and is in ridiculous shape, but I kind of felt like her routine was more "fitness" dancing than dancing.  I wanted to see more movement. She's really pretty though.
  
• I think Choreo.
  

Nigel - started looking like exercises and her technique/intensity draws people in

Sonya - likes an aggressive dancer

Jason - Intense

CHOREO

Choreography - 17 Dancers Total

• Ami Aguilar-Riley = VEGAS

10 dancers made it through to Vegas from Day 1

DAY 2 MIAMI

Candace Craig - Age 21 / Jazz

• Girl group like the Spice Girls and each has their own personality and she's the sexy one.
  
• Dang, another girl with some boob action going on, but these are definitely iNatural.  However, they were distracting a little.  She's actually a beautiful dancer, but under the facade of uber-sexiness you might miss that she has technique, control, and poise.  I think if she toned it down, and still kept that personality, she'll do well.
  
• Vegas (for her personality)

Jason - She's a likable performer and doesn't need that sensuality so much

Sonya - Has the sensual/sexual fire in her and doesn't need to be overdone

Nigel - Old fashioned style / burlesque style, but needs to progress past that.

They said Choreo and have given instructions to strap down the "girls".  She's going to add a sports bra for choreography.

Rose Neptune - Age 25 / Ballroom

• Oh my, that was so funny to watch.  1> tummy too soft for that top, 2> your partner just stood there and occasionally picked you up 3> some of those lifts were hilarious 4> That was club salsa with some lifts added
  
• NEXT

Montage of bad dancers

POWER - PERSONALITY - PERFORMANCE - BRING IT!!

Jose Ruiz - Age 21 / Hip Hop B-Boy

• Inspired by Legacy (S6)
• It's too bad his skin is really broken out and he'd look better w/o the braids
• Nice smile...and really smooth - good transitions between tricks, but also really nice tricks
• Choreo round I think

Nigel - Exciting, unexpected, good looking kid, good audition

Sonya - Nice smile, liked his bellymills

Jose says he's better than Legacy.  Jason reminds him that Legacy was successful because of his journey and growth.  He is likable.

CHOREO

Choreography - 13 Dancers Total

• Candace Craig - CUT
• Jose Ruiz - VEGAS

10 dancers made it through to Vegas from Day 2

20 Total for Miami

Next Tuesday = Chicago & Los Angeles

See you then!