Season 10’s top 20 contestants were revealed last night, and they showed their stuff for the first time in an exhibition episode on the SYTYCD stage.
The 33 contestants remaining after the Vegas rounds came to L.A. to walk the notorious green mile, to find out if they would be a part of season 10’s top 20, and dance on the SYTYCD stage to compete for the title of America’s favorite dancer. There were emotional eliminations and routines, but the result was the most varied top 20 in the show’s history.
Hip hop
Du-Shaunt “Fik-shun” Stegall has been a stand-out from the very beginning, so it’s no surprise that he was the first to make it into the top 20. Though the judges did say they are taking a chance on him, because while his personality is great, his technique needs work.
Emilio Dosal also stood out in his first audition, and has been impressing the judges ever since. They chose him for the top 20, but it was later revealed that after the selection, he was injured and had to withdraw from the competition.
This is not Marcus Shields‘ first time auditioning for SYTYCD, and as he walked the green mile, all those memories were coming back to him. Unfortunately, it was bad news again, as the judges wasted no time in telling him this was the end of his journey.
Mariah Spears was like a ghost all through the audition rounds: they kept showing her repeatedly, mastering dance after dance, but they were always talking about her partner at the time, or showing her in a montage of dancers that made it through. They never focused on her directly, but the judges certainly did, as she’s the first female hip-hopper to make it to the top 20 since season 4’s Comfort Fedoke.
So Fik-shun and Mariah kicked off the top 20 showcase, representing hip hop with a Luther Brown routine to “Ball” by T.I. feat. Lil’ Wayne. The performance ended up being more of a showcase for their personalities than their dancing. It wasn’t a very difficult routine, which gave them a lot of opportunities to play to the audience and the camera.
The judges have been raving about Fik-shun’s personality from his very first sudition, but Mariah proved to be the standout in this routine, as not only was her attitude a surprise, but her dancing was stronger than Fik-shun’s. The judges made it clear to Fik-shun that he cannot survive in this competition on personality alone, and that his dancing will have to be stronger.
Keep reading to find out if there’s a spot in the top 20 for any contemporary dancers.
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.
Animation
Animators Jade Zuberi and Dorian “BluPrint” Hector have had an interesting road to this point in the competition. They both blew the judges away in their initial auditions, but struggled, in their own ways, to handle the choreography in Vegas. Jade struggled with partnering, because he is so small, and BluPrint’s face tends to be expressionless.
Mia Micheals disagreed with Jade’s height being a problem, saying if a choregrapher can’t choreograph a routine to accommodate different sizes, that’s the choreographer’s problem. The other judges agreed, and therefore, Jade was through to the top 20. After a major fake-out, they told BluPrint he was in as well, and his rival Jade was thrilled.
Christopher Scott choreographed an awesome routine to “Trigger (Original Mix)” – Kezwick feat. Mel Presson, in which Jade and BluPrint were mannequins come to life (Mannequins that model Ugg boots, apparently.) The concept was obviously perfect for the animators, and the entire performance was absolutely captivating.
The judges are also taking a chance investing in these two, and they’re not sure how they’ll perform in the other genres. However, as Nigel said, the reaction they got from the audience tonight completely justifies their decision to include Jade and BluPrint in the top 20.
More Contemporary
Carlos Garland sucked up to the judges from the get-go, offering massages and back scratches for all the judges if they helped him out. Whether it was the promise of pampering or Carlos’ dancing, the judges chose him for the top 20. Carlos promised to come through on the massages and scratches, which thoroughly weirded Nigel out.
Though Hayley Erbert characterized herself as a sexy dancer, insecurity issues have plagued her dancing for years. Making it through Vegas has done a lot for her self-esteem, so you can imagine how thrilled she was to make it into the top 20.
Malece Miller has been a favorite of the judges from the very beginning, in spite of being dropped on her head in Vegas. Though the judges mentioned she declined a bit after that injury, it wasn’t enough to keep her from the top 20.
Wearing adorable poofy dresses and tear-streaked mascara, Hailey and Malece were two distraught women fighting over one man: a very smug Carlos, in this Mia Michaels routine set to “Stay” by Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko. It was a very emotional and passionate routine, at times both seductive and violent.
The judges were pleased with all three dancers, but felt there is room for all of them to grow. Nigel said that Malece, in particular, reads very young, and she will have to grow more than her competitors.
Who will fill out the rest of the top 20? Keep reading to find out.
Ballroom
Ballroom dancers Brittany Cherry and Serge Onik auditioned together in L.A., and hoped they’d be able to make it into the top 20 together. It was good news for Brittany, but unfortunately, Serge didn’t make the cut. He was very gentlemanly as they returned to the waiting room, and he spun her out and presented her to the remaining contestants as part of the top 20.
Jenna Johnson has been a standout ever since her first audition, but her family seems to be cursed, as two of her sisters have previously auditioned for the show, and have both been cut at this very same point in the competition. Fortunately for Jenna, the curse has been broken, and she’ll be joining the top 20.
It was also good news for jive dancer Paul Karmiryan, who has already won So You Think You Can Dance: Armenia. Time will tell if he’s able to sweep the competition in two countries.
With nine guys through to the top 20, that leaves just one spot left, and two Bersten brothers. Gene and Alan Bersten have made it their family business to dominate the Vegas rounds, supporting each other the entire way. All of this affection made it very difficult for Mary Murphy to tell them that little brother Alan was in the top 20, while big brother and mentor Gene would be going home.
Louis van Amstel choreographed an energetic ballroom routine to Little Mix’s “Wings.” The routine overall was great, but these two very strong girls kind of left the boys in the dirt. They’ve set the bar high, and the boys are going to have to work hard to catch up to it.
Jazz
There were six girls left in the waiting room, and only two spots left for them in the top 20. The judges have raved about Amy Yackima since her audition, so it was no surprise that she took a spot in the top 20.
That left only one spot for friends Megan Branch and Jasmine Mason. Both girls had tried out for season 9, and were both cut from the competition at this same spot. This time, it was more of the same for Megan, while Jasmine made it through to the top 20.
Sonya Tayeh choreographed a powerful routine to Bjork’s “Enjoy,” and there is no artist more perfect for Sonya’s offbeat choreography than Bjork. The girls were badass “princess warriors,” as Mary called them, and were so sharp and passionate throughout the entire routine. Jasmine is beautiful but still needs some work, while Amy lived up to her Vegas nickname of “The Truth.”
Check out the top 20 in action on the next page.
Top 10 Guys
Christopher Scott choreographed an absolutely incredible routine for the top 10 guys, to “Sand” by Nathan Lanier ft. Karen Whipple, using sand itself as a prop. It was a real show-stopper, and sure to be the first Emmy-nominated routine of the season. The routine incorporated and showcased each individual dancer’s strengths and style, all while making the sand itself a participating dancer in the routine. A very striking routine, and a great start to the season.
Top 10 Girls
The top 10 girls came together for a Ray Leeper jazz routine to “Let’s Have a Kiki (Guwremix)” by Fanny Pak & District 8. The girls looked great, with mod-meets-futuristic black and white outfits, and colorful streaks in their hair. It was a fun routine, and the girls had a great time with it. This was certainly a great way to show off the top 10 girls, and as Adam said, “America cannot wait to have a kiki with you this season.”
Top 20
Sonya Tayeh’s final routine for the top 20 was very hard and very physical. She had her work cut out for her, trying to fit so many different dancers from so many different genres into one routine, but she likes a challenge. The routine was powerful and dark, but a striking display of the talent we can look forward to seeing from the top 20 this season.
Tune in next Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox for the first of the live voting rounds.