Top 10 show has finally arrived! I am resisting all urges to dress like my favorite dancer right now – I’ll save that for the finale show. It’s dancing time!
I may or may not have cheated already and looked at the pairings…ok I did, and I am stoked! I was almost right about all of them! I can’t wait to see how these new couples work out, and I also can’t wait to see some solos!
They’re saving time with no intros, so here it goes. *Disclaimer after having watched – I missed the explanation of the dances/ stories behind them!
Noelle and Ryan are up first with a NappyTabs hip hop. I miss our apartment’s usual “guess what song they’re going to use” game that results from NappyTabs descriptions, but oh well. They’re doing some kind of sexy office scandal dance, which is pretty cool. I thought Noelle was great, but Ryan was a little stiff for me. They did a lot of cool lifts (which of course played to Ryan’s partnering strengths), but I thought it was a little lacking in hip hop steps. Noelle hit the ones that were in there though – damn girl! Judges all loved it, although Nigel did mention that Ryan didn’t really get the feel of the dance as much as just the moves.
Ashleigh and Legacy are next with a contemporary routine (by Gary Stuart, he’s from Australia apparently). It’s a bit little “Karate Kid” at first, but they are both dancing very well. I love that they really showed off Ashleigh’s physical strength with her lifting him, Legacy jumping off her leg and back, etc. It was a little bit abstract, so I don’t know how much people will be able to connect to it, but it was definitely cool to watch. Legacy’s headstand at the end was crazy! It was a really physically demanding routine, as proven by the fact that they were both huffing and puffing during the entire critique. The judges all loved it and praised the choreography as well.
Mollee’s solo is up first. They’re doing little profiles on everyone, and they seem more indepth and intense than I’ve seen on this show before. Her solo was good, very fast paced and different. I liked it, but I don’t know how memorable it will be by the end of the show. I wouldn’t vote for her based on it, but I think that’s because I’m already a little biased against her.
Russell is next for his bio/ solo extravaganza. His parents are absolutely adorable despite the extremely staged clip of them watching him on the show from 6 inches away from the TV. Um hi, did he just take his sweatshirt off with his foot? Yes I think he did. He is just insanely good. And the way he plays to the crowd and just performs and entertains everyone? AMAZING. He is a true star!
Kathryn and Nathan are the next couple, and they’ll be doing a Spencer Liff Broadway routine. This is cute and classic Broadway choreography! Kathryn looks gorgeous, and I could see her on a Broadway stage for sure. She has this perfect, pretty, classic look that would be great for the stage. Nathan looks like a new dancer without Mollee on stage with him. He FINALLY looks like a man, not a little boy! This number was really cute and light and fun. I really enjoyed it! Nigel put it best when he said that they found the style perfectly, but he said the chemistry wasn’t there as much as he would have liked.
It’s Noelle’s solo turn now. I have to say, the heavy makeup look just doesn’t work on her. This solo is reminiscent of her first fight for her life solo, but not as good in my opinion. It was still really impressive, but I thought the reaching for the sky parts of it were a little cheesy.
Jakob and Ellenore (POWER COUPLE, I totally called this!) are up next with a Quickstep by Tony and Melanie. I’m thinking this will not be the kiss of death for these two. I also really like that the choreographers are now adding a story to these dances! OK this definitely won’t be the end for either of them because ith is just too much fun! They are so bouncy and light on their feet! I loved when they both leaped across the stage together, perfectly in unison. Usually the guy just guides the girl in that move, but they are both such good dancers they can handle anything! Also, I have to say, nothing looks better than a man in a tux. Mmmmmm…Jakob! Ellenore looked gorgeous tonight too! Judges loved it, although apparently Jakob’s feet were a little turned out. Whatever, that was fantastic. Mary especially praised the fact that they stayed in close-hold.
Ryan’s solo is up next. Ugh, I hate his solos, and let’s be honest, we’ve seen a lot of them. He really just like to show off his strength/ muscles, and yes, there’s a lot to show off, but this solo might be his worst yet. There was pretty much no dancing, just some weird sliding on the floor and arm waving. I think he might be the one I want gone the most out of the Top 10.
The spotlight is on Kathryn now for her solo. We haven’t seen one yet, so I’m excited to see what she can do on her own. Man, there are a lot of tears on these video packages. I like her purple dress! Her technique and lines are just gorgeous, but I would have liked to see a little more passion. It was definitely good, but definitely something we’ve seen before.
The last couple to perform is Mollee and Russell, and they’re starting off the night with a Mandy Moore lyrical jazz. Mandy is back to her 80’s power ballad best, and I love it. She just keeps it coming with new lifts every time! This is definitely the most I’ve ever liked Mollee; she finally looks like a competitor on this show. Nigel was right, she and Nathan just needed new partners. Both Mollee and Russell were absolutely amazing in this routine. The chemistry was really believable to me, and I especially loved the look in Russell’s eyes as he looked at her. He’s a great actor too, I have to say! Nigel loved it and praised them both, Molle for her maturity and Nathan for his partnering and strength. Mary and Adam loved the piece as well, as gave well deserved praise to the pair and to Mandy.
Let’s find out about Nathan, shall we? Ok! Well we know that he’s danced with Twich because he makes a guest appearance in the package! The dance world really is a small one! Nathan has this unbelievable power to suck you in with his dancing. It’s like I don’t want to blink. It’s like this whole buildup, and it ended so soon! And now Nathan’s crying – looks like he took what Adam said last week to heart.
Noelle and Ryan are dancing a JT & Thomas smooth waltz for the second number. I have to say I am loving the ballroom outfits this year. The girls all look like angels. Noelle has really good ballroom carriage for a contemporary dancer. I’m totally buying it. Ryan is in his element in movement and partnering, so he looks especially impressive to me right now. I still don’t like him, but the man can waltz. It was a beautiful dance, but I didn’t really feel the chemistry that much. Nigel praised Ryan’s carriage but wanted a little more softness. Mary loved Noelle’s movement, footwork, and grace. Adam loved it and called them a power couple? Not sure about that one, but ok then.
Time for us to learn a little more about Ellenore! I love her music choices. This quirky bluegrass beat is perfect for her. She finds a new movement for every single note. I love her! There really is no one like her, and it’s so refreshing to see her dance!
Ashleigh and Legacy are doing a Dave Scott hip hop routine. His routines are usually really hard hitting and musical. They are super out of sync, despite some really slow choreography. I also really hate the song. Legacy’s cape is ridiculously distracting, and I think it’s preventing him from doing his thing. I agree with Nigel yet again – he didn’t feel it, and neither did I. He also pointed out that the musicality wasn’t there. Mary and Adam weren’t feeling it either. These two could both be in trouble tonight if that’s their lasting impression.
Kathryn and Nathan are doing a Tony/Melanie rumba next. They always put the girls in blue in the rumba - Chelsie, Courtney, Sabra…right? This song is a little too fast for me, and not as smooth and sensual as I would expect from a rumba. Nigel felt that the chemistry wasn’t there, and I kind of agree. Mary praised the technical aspects of it, especially for Nathan and his rumba back walks, but she wasn’t feeling the chemistry either. Adam loved that Kathryn was really competing in this dance. Poor Nathan looks so broken and sad up there, I just want to give him a hug! This was just so-so for me.
Legacy is up next for his solo. I really can’t believe he didn’t start B-boying until he was a teenager! I also love his friend “Flea” and his mullet. Oh man. WOW that was an amazing solo! The stuff he can do really does defy gravity. It also defies description because I don’t even know what to say! Definitely worthy of a phone call…
Ellenore and Jakob are up with their second routine, and it’s a Sonya contemporary one. Could there be a more perfect choregrapher or these two? Um NO. This is fantastic! It has the feel of her Courtney and Mark garden piece, but the technique is just on so much higher of a level. The audience reaction says it all – they can not shut up! That was incredible. They were mesmerizing. Ellenore’s quivery movement, Jakob’s flexibility, Sonya’s “poses” that completely showed off everything that is great about these two dancers. I am in awe. All three of them are like artists. I think they give the Katee/Joshua/Tyce holy trinity of SYTYCD a run for their money! Nigel loved it, Mary loved it, Adam loved, and they were all screaming like nut jobs! THAT WAS SO GOOD OMG.
Now it’s Ashleigh’s turn to try and impress me. She’s going to have to work hard, especially after that Dave Scott dance. I’m glad she explained a little more about her illness – a rare parasitic infection – because I was not enjoying her vague comments about some mystery illness. I have to say, that was definitely a better attempt at a ballroom solo than her hubby’s. She actually showed off her…I dunno…dancing skills?!?! It wasn’t the best ballroom solo I’ve ever seen (that honor stays with Heidi and her flying feet), but it was definitely decent.
Anya and Pasha are choreographing Mollee and Russell’s jive! And I love this song! These two are so good together! There are so many adorable Anya “shake your booty” moves in this, you can just picture Anya and Pasha doing it! I hope that was enough double bounce for Nigel because I loved it! Russell was a total charmer and worked the audience, worked his partner, and worked the camera perfectly, Mollee was so cute, and in no way annoying! She definitely won me over tonight. Nigel said they were the only ones that could have followed the amazingness that was Ellenore and Jakob’s routine, and he’s totally right. This is an amazing partnership – they should have been together from the start. Mary and Adam loved this as well, and consensus was that Mollee is back!
It’s Jakob’s turn to shine, and I hope they double his solo time because I could watch him forever. That was just pure beauty. What that boy can do with his body will never cease to impress the crap out of me! That was a truly great solo. He manages to put in so many jumps and turns without it seeming too cramped.
Wow, I need a minute to soak in the gloriousness of that show. In my opinion, it was one of the best overall episodes across all six seasons. My predictions for the bottom:
Girls: Ashleigh, Noelle
Guys: Nathan, Ryan
My HOPE to go home – Ryan and Noelle
My actual predicition – Nathan and Noelle
I won’t have time to watch the results until late tomorrow night, so nobody tell me anything, ok?! Can’t wait to find out the Top 8!
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