SYTYCD S7 Ep. 2 - Auditions Los Angeles & Chicago

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SHOW START -

It seems my DVR has started late because when I hit play it was already in someone's audition.  That means I won't have her name or info, and may have missed more before her.  It's been storming here so maybe there was a glitch.  Hope I didn't miss much.

DAY 1 Los Angeles
Judges - Nigel, Adam, & woman in the middle (who is that?...I feel bad, I missed intros and don't know who she is)

DVR started with girl in black bootie shorts, hot pink bra top, lots of eye makeup, & shoulder length dirty blonde hair.  She made it straight to Vegas. 

Hung Van Lam "Hella Hung" - Age 30 / Performance Artist (Hip Hop)

• Scary little Asian man standing tall at 5"1' who thinks he's some seventies soul version of a cool Martial Artist
• Honestly, he moved better than I expected him to.  He is definitely more of a "good" dancer if you put him in a room full of non-professional dancers.  You'd notice him and think he had some good moves, but really there're all elementary and more about the performance.
  
• He kept stripping off layers of his outfit which seemed strange.  He is not a good looking man so it's good he has helluva personality.  He's creepy.
  
• I say NEXT.

The judges don't know what to say to him.  Hella Hung says he's an "entertainer".

NEXT

Rachel Girma - Age 18 // Rhythmic Gymnast

• Interesting, first rhythmic gymnast I've ever seen audition.  She got a great body and rhythmic gymnasts can do some awesome bendy moves/turns.
  
• She was training for the Olympics, but injured her foot and lost her spot.
• She does have some innate dancer's moves, but her technique is slighty different.  She has a lot of control and does beautiful turns, especially that quad catch turn (wow). I would foresee her having problems with more traditional dance styles based on the fundamentals she's lacking, but I bet they put her in choreo.
  

Nigel - WOW! Never seen a ponche attitude turn before. Loved the music, dynamics, strength

2nd Judge - LOVED it

Adam - so incredible, but not sure how it translates to other dances.

People would vote for her because she's gorgeous.

STRAIGHT TO VEGAS (I think they like how she looks)
-Adam gets snubbed again.  That's so funny...why doesn't anyone want to hug him?

Montage of "California Girls" and their talent.  They showed most of the girls going to Vegas, but there was one they showed in the beginning; she was wearing a yellow top and did a triple turn into the middle splits.  Did anyone else see that her ankle was at her knee, versus her toe? That was some weird tehnique.

Cristina Santana (Age 24) & Pepe Alvarez (Age 30) - Latin Ballroom

• She auditioned Season 6 and Pepe was just her support, but he's auditioning this year too.
• She went straight to Vegas and proceeded to smack Billy Bell in the nose in their partnering. OUCH
• She made Top 40...WOW
• She has a sexy body...sadly, she looks better on stage than up close.
  
• They were good, have high energy, strong, she's sassy, but I have seen other ballroomers I've liked more. He was not strong enough as a partner in those sit/spins.  He slowed down and was not holding her center. She was strong enough to hold her own.
  
• She'll probably go to Vegas.  He might get choreo, not sure.
  

Adam - Fabulous as last year, connected body/dancing.  Pepe, presence not known that much.

Judge #2 - She's stronger, but he may not be able to last on his own.

Nigel - agreed.

Cristina - STRAIGHT TO VEGAS
Pepe - Choreo

Taylor Costello - Age 18 // Jazz

•  She's adopted and her mother died when she was 11 so she never got to meet her, but has a letter from her that say she loved to dance. She has a loving adoptive family and is strong because of them.
• YAY...she's dancing to TV on the Radio's Wolf Like Me.  Nice to see some alternative rock on the SYTYCD stage.
• She's explosive...high jumps & flips.  There's a rawness to her dancing.  She's technical and a good tumbler, but her moves aren't completely polished.  She's a little bit wild, but has a presence.
  
• I think choreo.

Nigel - Almost possessed when dancing...what drives you? Dancer - her mother who was murdered. She started dancing because of her Mom, but she loves it. Nigel goes on to say her dancing was slightly manic. She needs to be able to control it.

Judge #2 - musicality was there and it was different.

Adam - she's great

Choreo

Choreography - 23 Dancers Total

• Jason & Courtney leading it again
• Pepe Alvarez - Quit before he could even go through choreo.  That's a waste for so many others who would LOVE to have had to chance to show they could do choreo.  The show wouldn't want someone like that anyways. #machismopride
  
• Taylor Costello - Cut

13 dancers made it through to Vegas from Day 1

DAY 2 Los Angeles

Alexie Agdeppa - Age 26 / Contemporary

• She made the cut right before Top 40 in Vegas last season (and around the same place the year before that)
• She's from Dellos Dance Studio in Walnut, but I hadn't realized she was 26.  She looks so young, but hearing her speak, she sounded so mature.  It all makes sense now.  <--If you didn't read last time, I went to Dellos growing up as did Pauline Mata...and my sister for a little bit.
  
• Woah, I totally agree w/ Adam's voice over commentary when he says she's gotten better.  She wasn't a stand out to me before, but this time she had so much control and poise.  She owned that stage and really drew you into her performance.  Her technique looked strong too.  When I saw her before, her extensions weren't pushed all the way through her toes, but this time she really did dance with her whole body.  Love her musicality too.  She took a page out of the Paula Van Oppen handbook on that solo. 
  
• VEGAS

 Nigel - LOL He jokes around and tells her she basically sucked and got worse than before.

Judge #2 - Joyous, light up the stage

Adam - VEGAS

Lindsey McLevis - Age 26 / Contemporary

• Pretty dancer...looks older than 26

Missy Morelli - Age18 / Contemporary Jazz

• I don't know if it was her outfit or her choreo, but it made her look squatty when she's not

Cheryl Smith - Age 21 / Contemporary

• Great turns, projected personality (was that an homage to Glee w/ the "L" loser on the forehead move?)

STRAIGHT TO VEGAS

Melinda Sullivan - Age 22 / Tap

• She likes tap because she's a drummer with her feet.  Her toes are the snare drum and her heels are the bass drum.
  
• Part of a tap company since she was 15 w/ a guy who has been a featured performer on the show before.
  
• I love that she put taps on combat boots.
• She danced to a ballad and used her taps to accentuate the music.  At times it was really good, other times odd, but overall she makes beautiful noises w/ her feet. 
• I think choreo

Adam - Interesting: beautiful, danced to a ballad, love her tapping, some transitions didn't work well

Judge #2 - Interesting, great, liked

Nigel - Not sure if he liked what she did. Loved her rhythms, but didn't need Stevie Wonder in the backgound because it wasn't his rhythm, it was hers. Rude to Stevie. He liked her, not her choice. Trained in other styles

Choreo

Montage of BAD guy dancers.

Ryan Ramirez - Age 18 / Contemporary

• I recognized her before they even announced her.  She's a star in the Pulse convention circuit...protege.  I saw her perform in NYC when she was probably only 14 or 15.  She's definitely grown up physically since then, but same pretty hair. 
  
• Lost her house in a down economy and almost had to stop dancing.
• Mia Michaels asked her to become an assistant when she was 16...she was shown in the "bed" routine that Twitch and Kherrignton did in S4 (John Mayer's "Dreaming with a Broken Heart")
• FYI - Mia is one of the Pulse convention creators.
  
• She seems really humble and appreciative.
• She's definitely a "Mia" dancer...more organic than "trained".  She has the training, but her perfomance "feels" like it comes from within versus someone putting it on her.  It's not to say that I am that impressed w/ that style always.  Honestly, she wasn't that impressive to me, but Mia likes her so the judges will probably like her also.
  

Adam - VERY VERY talented dancer. She didn't connect w/ the audience, but felt real & intense

Judge #2 - connection missing

Nigel - "All the best dancers in my opinion haven't been the winners of this show. The best dancers who are the better performers have won this show." <-- SO TRUE Nigel (I just wish the best dancer was also the best performer too sometimes.

She needs to find that.

Choreo

Choreography - 28 Dancers Total

• Melinda Sullivan - VEGAS (she was good)
• Ryan Ramirez - VEGAS (she wasn't that good)

Ummm...they forgot to tell me how many people made it Vegas from Day 2 >=|

YAY ECLIPSE TV SPOT! Boo to Riley and newborn crew coming out of the water and always freaking me out.

DAY 1 Chicago
Judges - Nigel, Adam, Stacey Tookey

Kent Boyd - Age 18 / Contemporary

• Wapakoneta, OH - graduating class size of 33
• Going to NYC for college for dance - how scary, but glad he's going to spread that dance joy
• How the heck did he learn to dance that wonderfully in his small little town?!?? He was so good.  Amazing technique, great tumbling, and understands the performance aspect.  Yes, it didn't always feel "organic", but he's young and will be so good with more experience.
  
• Vegas

Fact: Neil Armstrong is from Wapakoneta...who knew? Kent is VERY excited about this.  He is adorable.  When asked if he's ever traveled to a big city, he answered, "Oh yeah, Columbus!"

Nigel - great personality - needed to show that in his dancing - needed the honesty - good potential

Stacey - fantastic height on jump, good control on turns, need to add his likable personality to his dancing, but she likes him

Adam - He need to get into the music and understand it

Choreo

Andrew Phillips - Age 18 / Contemporary

• Fraternal twin born with spinal bifida (rods in spine).
• From age of 12 helped take care of his brother.
  
• He dances for the both of them and his brother inspires him because he's positive
• I really wished I liked him more.  He was so stiff in his upper body.  He didn't move his shoulders or head and kind of looked like a robot or tinman dancing.  He had some odd technique yet was able to bust out a beautiful pirouette which confuses me.  He needs more ballet training and to work and extending his body.
  
• Next   

Adam - How much training have you had? Training at a studio since 1996, but took 2 yrs off. (He's been dancing for 12 years? Now I really feel bad for the poor guy.  His story is so moving, making me feel awful about my critique)

By posture and his body Adam knows he hasn't finished growing yet.

Stacey - lot to work on technically, but he's inspirational

Nigel - strange technique, wonderful center, but yet fell out of easy turn after preparation,

Choreo (but may not make it to Vegas this year)

Melinda Jacobson - Age 28 / Hick Hop

• Hip Hop, Breakdancing, Line Dancing, Square Dancing - she's the originator
• Crazy hair, not very attractive, hey she tries, but it's pretty awful.  I'll give his points for the kartwheel and handstand, but her hip hop moves are pretty funny
• NEXT

Nigel - Unique - looks & dancing

Stacey - WOW, out of control, impression left

Adam - Heart in the right place - music choice was off putting

NEXT

Montage of BAD dancing.  Oh how I love those two Prince guys w/ their big hairsprayed mohawks and lace shirts. "I stand for more than this competition."

Adrian Lee - Age 20 / Contemporary

• He's from San Diego...wonder if he got cut there and is trying his luck in Chi-town next.
•  That was pretty.  He made all his moves seem light and subtle, yet they had power, technique, and purpose. I didn't love him, but he was a good dancer with nice lines and great feet for a guy. 
• Vegas
  

Stacey - The best contemporary of the day - controlled in a good way, subtlety of movement - perfect for competition

Adam - have potential to be a great artist

Nigel - watch your hands - bit flappy hands in wrists

STRAIGHT TO VEGAS

Choreography - 16 Dancers Total

• Kent Boyd - Vegas
• Andrew Phillips - Vegas (proved them wrong - I admit he looked better doing the choreo than his solo)

Cat mentioned 5 dancers going to Vegas...is that total for Day 1? If so, WOW that's kind of bad.

DAY 2 Chicago

Kellen Borchers - Age 25 / Freestyle Hip Hop

• Go White Boy! Go White Boy!
• Hey, this guy is from Edwardsville, IL.  I know someone else from Edwardsville, IL.  Yo @SLSandi, do you know this guy? =)
• Oh yeah, he FEELS the beat, but what is that thing he's doing with his body? Dancing...um, no.  I'll give him an A for effort and a D- for execution.
  
• On second thought Sandi, please DON'T tell me you know this guy.
  

Nigel asked him if he's seen the show and if so, who does he dance like.  Kellen answered Brian...like a Brian maybe?  Well, no Brians ever competed, but maybe he means, BFree Brian Friedman, and if that is true...poor Brian. Or Ryan. He admits he's only seen a few shows.

He's an auditor/accountant in real life.

He wants to have fun and gain respect.

NEXT

Christopher Gilbert - Age 21 / Hip Hop (Spider Legs)

• Enters the stage like an old man with a cane wearing a very Urkel-ish outfit and glasses
• I liked him.  He did crazy isolations and had bendy double jointed arms. He was entertaining and made you want to watch what he did next.
  
• Unknown if he can do more.  I think choreo.
  
• (Haven't seen much hip hop on today's show)

Adam - great to watch w/ storytelling and humor, and how he hears music and moves his body to it

Stacey - wonderful, thoroughly entertainment

Nigel - Is this look you...yes, he's a huge dork and embraces it

Choreo

Montage of dancers asked to go to choreography

Jarrod Mayo - Age 20 / Contemporary

• Another SoCal person...possible second audition
• Huge performance, big jumps and lots of leg kicks.  Had an African/modern dance vibe with its low center.  Not sure if he's been trained that much.  He definitely has a raw talent.  He does know how to draw in an audience. 
• Needs to work on his feet and POINT your toes!
  
• Choreo

Nigel - You are amazing - shocked him - good extensions/lines, shoulder up to his ears too much - good facility

Stacey - He's so sweet and good

Adam - So special and good

STRAIGHT TO VEGAS (personality wins again)

Jarrell Robinson - Age 25 / Hip Hop 

• He was born hearing and became deaf
•  Started dancing to feel music.  Only way to "hear" music is to turn up the bass & follow the rhythm.
• Auditioning for the deaf community to let them know they can do anything. Stay positive.
  
• Wow! If he had his hearing and did that performance he would be great, but knowing he "felt" that beat and was that good is amazing. Great personality and use of the rhythm to tell a story. 
  
• I don't know what they'll do with him.

Stacey - Extremely musical for someone who can't hear the music.  Because he can't hear the music he can be the music.  Vocabulary of his steps not enough yet.

Adam - incredibly special, inspiring, deeply talented man. appreciates him.  fascinated by his interpretating the song properly

Nigel - Asked him how he feels the music.  Jarrell explains how he interprets the bass. Other dancers need that ability. Competition not right for him, but he can succeed in other areas.

Choreography - Didn't say how many made it to choreo (come on SYTYCD, let's keep consistent for us anal bloggers!)

•  Christopher Gilbert - CUT
• 4 girls made it from choreo

Seriously, did only 9 people make it through from Chicago?  They had better dancers when they went to Utah.

Dallas & Nashville tomorrow...see you then