Some of America’s favorite dancers from past seasons returned to the SYTYCD stage to dance alongside season 10’s top 10 contestants.
This week, judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy were joined by renowned choreographer and dance legend Debbie Allen. Allen is a frequent visitor to SYTYCD, and a fan of the show besides.
Eliminations
We’ve reached the point in the competition where all the contestants left are amazingly talented, and every elimination seems like a huge injustice. This week, when the cards were dealt, they were not in the favor of Makenzie Dustman or Nico Greetham, who were sent home. It was a tough vote for the judges and choreographers, and Nigel admitted to Makenzie that he was outvoted in his choice to save her. The eliminated contestants were tearful, but luckily for them they still get to join their friends on the upcoming SYTYCD tour.
The bottom four (no longer a bottom six, as there are only 10 dancers left in the competition) were announced at the top of the show: Makenzie Dustman, Jenna Johnson, Nico Greetham, and Tucker Knox (who was automatically in the bottom, as a result of not being able to dance last week due to a knee infection). Nigel said they would not be dancing for their lives, as this was such a packed show with all the all-stars returning, because they didn’t want to hold off on the duets any longer.
Routines
Top 10
The top 10 kicked off the show with a Christopher Scott contemporary routine that started out with the dancers scattered across the stage in rocking chairs, rocking back and forth. Like old men and women dreaming of the ghosts of their former selves, the dancers broke free of their rockers and danced beautifully around the stage. The dancers where partnered up for much of the dance: a guy, a girl, and a chair, and it was incredible to watch how even the independent movements of the chair were so perfectly controlled and synchronized.
Amy Yackima and Brandon Bryant
Amy was joined by season 5 all-star Brandon for a Doriana Sanchez disco routine. Set to a disco-fied version of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” Amy and Brandon put on a hugely energetic performance in their sparkly disco outfits. There were some impressive stunts and lifts, including the closest-to-the-floor death drop we’ve seen yet. Amy has such a bubbly personality that you can’t help but smile whenever you see her onstage. She is obviously having such a great time, and she draws you in and makes sure you’re having fun right alongside her. Nigel even went so far as to say that she stood out more than the disco ball she was dancing under.
Aaron Turner and Kathryn McCormick
Aaron was joined by season 6 all-star Kathryn for a Stacey Tookey contemporary piece that was meant to represent that one person in your life that loves you unconditionally. Stacey based the routine on her own husband, but for Aaron and Kathryn, who had just met, they had to develop a closeness and an intimacy that would translate through the dance. Those worried that Aaron would fall behind without his beautiful partner Jasmine were proven wrong, as Aaron showed just how much of a star he is in his own right, tenderly supporting Kathryn as she melted into his arms.
DuShaunt ‘Fik-shun’ Stegall and Melanie Moore
Fik-shun was joined by season 8 winner Melanie, who was the perfect replacement for his previous partner Amy, who has drawn comparisons to Melanie for her bubbly enthusiasm. Fik-shun had his work cut out for him this week, as the untrained dancer had to not look like a chump next to Melanie during their Mandy Moore jazz routine. Nigel made a point of saying how proud he was of Fik-shun, for how well he kept up and did everything that was asked of him.
Paul Karmiryan and Witney Carson
Paul was at home with his own ballroom style, for a Jean-Marc Genereux cha cha alongside all-star Witney from season 9. It was a strong performance, and he and Witney were well-matched, but it was almost so good it was boring. Paul is so great in his own style, and we know that, but it almost would have been more exciting to see him blow us away in a style outside of his own for this first night by himself. That said, Paul seems to have legions of female fans, so he shouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
Hayley Erbert and Stephen ‘Twitch’ Boss
Hayley was joined by season 4 all-star and fan favorite contestant Twitch, and proved once again that Twitch makes every woman want to rip her clothes off and let Twitch take her right there on top of a table in front of all of America. In this routine, Hayley was a loan officer denying down-on-his-luck Twitch a loan. That is, until his charms won her over. It wasn’t the hardest-hitting hip-hop routine choreographer Christopher Scott has brought to the show, but it suited Hayley, and she was able to hold her own alongside one of SYTYCD’s best hip-hoppers.
Jenna Johnson and Neil Haskell
Jenna was joined by season 3 contestant Neil for a Mandy Moore contemporary routine. In this routine, Jenna and Neil are in the awkward place of not knowing if they should break up or not. Jenna wants to break up, but Neil is still hanging on. Set to Mark Masri’s cover of the always-heart-wrenching “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” Jenna and Neil played their parts beautifully, and the dancing was strong, as always. However, Jenna just doesn’t seem to connect with the audience, finding herself in the bottom week after week.
Jasmine Harper and Marko Germar
Jasmine and season 8 all-star Marko took on a unique Ray Leeper jazz routine set to Robin Thicke’s hit “Blurred Lines.” Dressed in their Janelle Monae finest, Jasmine and Marko were twins in complete sync for almost the entire routine. While it was great to see Marko back, the judges hardly noticed him, as they only had eyes for Jasmine and her miles-long legs. Not only is Jasmine technically great, but she brings such personality to her performances, you can’t help but be drawn to her.
Makenzie Dustman and Jakob Karr
Makenzie shone in the spotlight during her Spencer Liff Broadway routine with season 6 all-star Jakob. On a dark stage, dancing alongside her partner dressed in shades of black and grey, Makenzie stood out beautifully in a bright red dress and shoes. It wasn’t the outfit alone that made her shine, though, as she is an outstanding dancer, and Nigel called her “one of the best dancers we have ever had on So You Think You Can Dance.” Good words to hear when you’re basically dancing for your life, though in the end, Makenzie’s best apparently wasn’t good enough.
Nico Greetham and Comfort Fedoke
Nico and season 4 all-star Comfort had to get in touch with their inner reptile in this Napolean and Tabitha D’umo hip-hop routine. Nico and Comfort were reptiles on the prowl, and getting their freak on (to Missy Elliot’s “Get Ur Freak On”). Starting the routine hanging upside down on a cargo rope net, Nico really got into not only the quirky reptile character, but also the hip-hop groove. Mary and Debbie seemed into it, but after a huge cheer from the audience, Nigel said, “I think the audience loved the routine a little more than I did.” This was an excellent routine, however, if for no other reason than introducing us to Comfort’s weird reptile walk.
Tucker Knox and Robert Roldan
Tucker Knox was joined by all-star Robert Roldan for a Travis Wall contemporary piece that was certainly the most emotional of the season thus far, and may end up being one of the most memorable routines in SYTYCD history. As a backstory, Tucker and Robert have each been in pretty serious car accidents, and as a result, they are both lucky to be alive, let alone dancing. This routine, which Travis created with his brother and fellow season 3 contestant Danny Tidwell in mind, is the story of two brothers: one who has hit rock bottom, and has been given a second chance at life, and the other brother who is there to support him through it. The routine obviously hit very close to home for both dancers, and their emotional embrace at the end of the routine was filled with tears that were most definitely genuine and earned. It was incredible to watch.
Tune in next week when the top eight will be not only be joined onstage by the all-stars, but choreographed by them as well.