SLC, NYC, LA Auditions

SLC/NYC
SLC is up first, and, as much as I don't like it there, it really is a hotbed of dance talent. I really liked having the pussy cat dolls creator on the panel. She was actually a good judge, and it's nice to see the perspective of someone casting a different type of performer.

Devon McCullough and Micah Clark were two steppers that were really fun! I loved their routine because it was super in sync, very intense movements, but still incorporated some humor. Fabulous! Both got to choreo, but only Devon made it through to Vegas. I like him, so hopefully he does well.

Chyna Lee Smith is clearly someone that everyone who’s been on the show knows already. Name drop much? She’s absolutely gorgeous, but I didn’t really love her audition. It didn’t showcase that much dancing, but since they obviously know her and she has technique, she’s through to Vegas. I can see myself being impressed with her more in Vegas.

I really liked Annie Gratton. There was something about that little redhead that just stood out to me. Her dancing was athletic but she showed a wide range of moves and flexibility. Not the most technically impressive I’ve seen, but definitely a great audition! And then she got to dance with her dad, and I liked her even more! Vegas!

Good girl montage showcased a ton of talent!

Tadd Gadduang was a fun little breaker. He showed a ton of personality and some really unique moves! Such an entertainer should be off to Vegas, and he is!

Samantha Hiller’s story is something a little nutty. She apparently danced so hard she fainted and then got amnesia…3 WEEKS AGO! She’s been slowly getting things back, but it could take up to a year. She clearly remembered how to dance though! She’s not super great technically, but you can tell it’s because she’s young. Her spirit shines through beautifully though, and they send her to choreo. She doesn’t make it to Vegas this year, but I can see her coming back for sure.

Chase Thomas is approximately 1% body fat. And, he’s wearing baby bicycle shorts. He’s also married? To a woman? Ok then. He’s an amazing dancer, but he’s seriously so unlikable. I could see myself hating him on Top 20 and then he’ll get farther than he should.

And now for a good guy montage with a ton of good guys. Seriously I don’t know how they can possibly choose only 20!

The Brittney Starr/ Ringo Starr thing was pretty entertaining, but they kept it going for way too long. I can’t complain though because they’ve shown essentially no bad auditions this year, which I appreciate!


New York started with Princess Lockeroo who was pretty cool. Her arms fly around, and she’s got some pretty cool isolation/popping movements going on as well. She’s very unique, and I think she has other types of training as well. Judges loved her and sent her straight to Vegas!

Brandon Jones got thunderous applause as he approached the mic, so clearly he’s pretty well known in the New York dance world. I loved every second of watching him dance, and I definitely want him in the Top 20! I can’t even describe what grabbed me so much, but something did, and I liked it! I think he held back with his personality until he broke down about losing his father, but I can see him being very relatable and loveable on the show. Jason Gilkison described him perfectly – strong male dancer with so much softness. Vegas, of course!

I enjoyed the montage to the guys playing guitar. Nice change + they probably ran out of songs with dance in the chorus already!

Brian Henry the krumper is HOT. He’s also amazing at krump. I’m not sure that what he said about Russell and Lil C was that bad, maybe it was the editing? I think he was just trying to say he does it different. Clearly, because he krumps for Christ apparently. I really loved his audition though, and they sent him to choreo and then Vegas! I feel like we’ll be seeing a lot more of him.

Mary Kate Sheehan the Irish Step dancer is just as cute as a little button! Amazing audition piece too! She used the whole stage, showed much more than the usual “jig” I associate with Irish dancing, and exuded the most amazing spirit and grace! Judges loved her, but obviously they had to send her to choreo, but she nailed it and is going to Vegas!

Virgil Lil O Gadson was a fun breaker/ hip hop dancer. His perfectly balanced spins (while on his feet) make me think he’s had plenty of other training as well. He really got me with his smile though – so adorable! Straight to the Veg!

Jess LeProtto is a nice little combination of Evan and Nathan! He says oke doke, which normally would make me gag, but on him it’s adorable! He’s a musical theater/ jazz dancer, and he’s ridiculously talented, definitely more so than Evan. He’s going to have to work on his personality and sense of fun if he wants to be successful on this show. The serious ones never do well! He’s great though, I’m rooting for him. He’s sent to choreo first then Vegas, and I can assume he’ll be around awhile for the sake of one Tyce Diorio!

Kristen Dobson has the exact look that they love, and she’s a Latin dancer, which has been pretty non existent thus far. I like her, but it’s not the best audition I’ve seen, which makes sense since she’s only been doing this for 3 years. I have a feeling she’s got more to her though. They send her to choreo to test her other styles, but she makes it through to Vegas. Not surprising, we need ballroom people!

Robert Taylor Jr. is 30, so this is his last shot. I am really happy he’s good because it’s always sad to see people get their dreams crushed. He’s seriously really good though! His moves are hard hitting and dynamic, he brings humor and personality, what more could you really ask for? A ticket to Vegas? Ok!

Great auditions, SYTYCD producers. I really like where you’re going with it this season, I just hope you stay there! And don’t mess up the couples. And don’t give NappyTabs 2 routines in the first week, inevitably kicking off someone good (most likely a ballroom dancer). Just saying. Don’t do it!

LALA Land!
Just watching the scenery shots make me miss home and seeing these people all over the place! *Moment for a tiny little tear* Ok time for some good dancing! There should be plenty because EVERYONE lives there. Hence it's the only city they've been to every season!

Jordan Casanova is up first. She’s doing a super sexy routine to Beyonce, and it’s surprisingly good. I love when people can be sexy without being trashy. And clearly she’s got amazing technique. She did this amazing one footed spin into a split right in front of the stage, and I was sold. I could see her in Top 20, she’s made for TV. Loved the Nigel comment, “I’m going to have to be careful what I say, so I don’t sound like a dirty old man.” As if that’s different thatn usual, Nigel? ;) Vegas, DUH.

Derion DC Chapman is up next, and the home cameras of him and his family and his 5-months pregnant girlfriend (planned, really buddy?) makes me think he’s making the Top 20. That, plus his awesome interaction with the judges before he even starts = fan favorite, no question. Anyone who gets Nigel to get up and dance? People will love him! THANK GOOODNESS HE’S GOOD. Popping to “That’s Life”…bold and awesome! He’s this season’s Twitch. He did an amazing backflip into a worm and then came straight back up. Wow I’ve written a lot. I think I have a SYTYCD crush on him! SO GOOD. Best audition I’ve seen on this show! Ok clearly he is going to Vegas…and I’m gonna need to watch that audition again. Right now.

Ariel Koker is back again! I’m so happy that she keeps coming back, she’s just such a sweetheart, and she gets better every time she tries again. I wonder if she’s still dating Phillip…and right as I type that she pulls a total Phillip move. My goodness she’s incredible this year! Nigel called it mesmerizing, and that is the perfect description of it. I couldn’t even blink! She showed strength, flexibility, versatility, and FIRE! This has got to be her year!!!! Vegas of course, let’s just hope she can make the show this year!

Good person video montage…my god they are all so good!!!! Clearly the legit dancers know how good of a career move this show is. Just WOW.

Ok, I’m realizing that these auditions are going to be too good for me to write as much as I did for the first 3 much, so I’m gonna have to cut it back…

Hero McRae is here from Japan and she’s a popper…a very good one actually! Her isolations are so precise! And, I have a strange feeling she’s been trained in other styles as well. Total Top 20 candidate and headed to Vegas!

I guess Day 1 is the best day they’ve had in any city, and in any year. I know it’s a lot of editing, but that’s what it looked like.

Day 2 starts with weird, large, popping Santa Claus guy? Who strips and tears his shirt off? Just stop it.

Alexis Mason is auditioning, trying to continue the family legacy! She seems a little more classical and competitiony than Jeanine was, but with the same great technique. I don’t know that I like her permanent sad face though. Maybe it was her opening mouth, which Nigel told her to stop. Straight to Vegas, no brainer. Jeanine wouldn’t let her come if she wasn’t Vegas worthy, of course.

Patty Anne Miller is a hip-hop dancer in a cute little argyle sweater and hat for a bit of a preppy tomboy look. She’s a GREAT dancer. In her package she said she “feels rhythm” and that’s completely evident when she’s on stage. Fantastic audition! She is one of the most interesting people I’ve seen on this show…I think she’ll go far, but first, Vegas!

Another good dancer montage is up next, and again I am beyond impressed with every single clip they showed. I have no idea how they are going to cut it down to 20 people. I feel like I’ve seen 20 people today that would be good enough!

The Mallory sisters (Natalia and Sasha) are so cute! Their jazz/African routine is really good, and the best girl-girl duet I’ve seen, including the ones on the show because let’s be honest those haven’t been great. Tyce was a little harder on them than Nigel and Mary, but they were sent to choreo anyways. Sasha stood out as better in the choreo for me, but they both got through! I feel like one of them will make it through because who doesn’t love a good family story, right?

Vegas is next week and the previews are making me goosebumpy. Literally. I LOVE VEGAS. Going there, watching it on SYTYCD, and just thinking about its general wonderfulness. Is it next Wednesday yet???