Contemporary
Makenzie Dustman hasn’t gotten a lot of screentime in the audition rounds, but she is definitely an early favorite for the judges. Choreographer Mia Michaels said, “The potential you have is almost frightening,” before congratulating her on making it into the top 20.
Jasmine Harper, another early favorite, made it through with very little fanfare, and one can only hope that they will bring back her ex-boyfriend, season 9’s Cyrus, as an all-star later this season, so the two can work out their unresolved issues onstage.
The judges called in the next two contestants at once: Tucker Knox, the car accident survivor, and Nico Greetham, who had a very supportive (and hot, according to Nigel) mother. The judges had nothing but good things to say about both men, and after trying to make it suspenseful, they put both through to the top 20.
These first four contemporary dancers took on a beautiful Stacey Tookey routine to “Goes On and On” by Sleeping at Last. It was a stunning routine, danced beautifully by all four contestants. The dancers were so connected, even this early in the competition, it was incredible to see how they worked together onstage. There were some beautiful synchronized moments as well.
After the performance, Tucker was crying, unable to get a hold of himself, because he was so overwhelmed just to be up on the SYTYCD stage, performing that beautiful routine.
After wiping away his tears, judge Adam Shankman tried to keep it real and give one criticism to each of them, but he had nothing but raves for Mackenzie, who looks to be a front-runner at this point in the competition.
Tap
There were several very talented tappers that auditioned for season 10, though tappers never seem to make it very far in the live shows. Aaron Turner, Curtis Holland, and Alexis Juliano were hoping to change that.
Alexis felt she had something to bring to the show: to prove that tappers can emotionally engage with their audience, and not just make noise with their feet. And the judges look forward to her doing just that, as they put her through to the top 20.
Curtis had a very emotional week in Vegas, as he felt he had to prove himself as a tapper. In fact, the contemporary round brought out a whole new side of him, and he was moved to tears. He hoped the judges saw something in him, and as it turned out, they saw enough to make him a part of the top 20.
Aaron was cut at this same point last season, and was nervous to be back in the same position. He made an impassioned speech at the end of Vegas week, saying he was tired of just being the good tapper, that wasn’t enough anymore, and that he wanted to be an all-star.
While the judges praised him, they emphasized that it’s all about how the puzzle fits together, and unfortunately he didn’t fit into the top 20 this year. They assured him it was not the end of his journey, and hoped he would come back again. Aaron was so disappointed; he felt he just wasn’t right for the show.
Fortunately for him, when hip-hopper Emilio had to drop out, Aaron was number 11 on the judges’ list of guys, and he got the call, hopped on a plane, and joined the top 20.
Alexis, Curtis, and Aaron tore up the stage in what was the best tap routine in SYTYCD history. Choreographed by newcomer Anthony Morigerato, to Jason Mraz’s “You Really Did It (Live),” the tappers showed off their unique style and energy in what was an incredibly entertaining performance, earning a standing ovation from the judges.
Nigel pointed out that choreographing a tap routine is incredibly difficult to do, and yet these three looked like an act that had been together for a number of years. A long-time supporter of tapping, Nigel is thrilled to have so many talented tappers in the top 20.
Will the judges take a chance on an animator this season? Find out on the next page.
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