SYTYCD SEASON 6 EPISODE 9
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for – after several weeks of auditions, who would make Season 6’s Top 20?
Las Vegas auditions started with 152 dancers, and by the end of the week only 38 dancers remained. All 38 traveled to Hollywood to find out their fate.
Did you notice the new opening to the show? What do you think?
There are 38 nervous dancers, and host Cat Deeley told Nathan Trasoras that he’d be first to find out his fate. Nathan auditioned for Season 5, but was deemed ineligible since he was only 17 years old. Now eligible, Nathan returned this year and continued to wow the judges during Vegas auditions. He walked to the stage and stood before the six judges from Vegas week – Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Adam Shankman, Debbie Allen, Mia Michaels, and Tyce Diorio. Mia gave good news to Nathan: “We feel that we’d like to be a part of your growth. You are part of the top 20.” The youngest contestant is the first member of the Top 20.
The next 30 minutes brought bad news for three dancers. Next up was ballet dancer David Hovhannisyan. He learned a lot in Vegas – including hip hop. David is not a member of the Top 20, and the dancers were shocked that David was let go.
Kathryn McCormick just moved to Los Angeles from Georgia. Being away from her family is making her homesick. She was very emotional and warned America that she might start crying and her voice might get high. Kathryn was right! As she got increasingly emotional, her voice became very high pitched. Nigel encouraged Kathryn to breathe. When Kathryn found out she made the Top 20, she cried some more.
Channing Cooke, the ice cream scooper and tomboy from Massachusetts, was the next dancer to meet with the judges. Nigel told Channing that she’s exceptionally strong but that she needs to work on relying on a partner, because the judges unanimously voted her into the Top 20. Nigel said he can’t wait to play soccer with her.
Contemporary dancer Ariana DeBose sprinted out from behind the curtain to share good news with her fellow dancers – she’s in! Following Ariana was another contemporary dancer, Ellenore Scott, who knocked her knees together in excitement after she found out she’s through to the Top 20.
Noelle Marsh and Mollee Gray were crying after seeing 2 contemporary girls make it through. They met at Vegas week and became roommates and best friends right away. Because she’s seen every season of SYTYCD, Mollee stated that they always send one best friend through and not the other, so she believes that will be the case for her and Noelle. The two girls would have to wait a while longer, because it was Billy Bell’s turn.
Billy said he had fun in Vegas (I guess he didn’t let his bloody nose bring him down!) and said that his second solo was the best time he ever had dancing. He enjoyed moving the judges to tears. This 19 year old is currently a sophomore at The Juilliard School. He mentioned that the school said they would hold his scholarship and spot in the program in order to let him take a brief leave of absence for the show. Debbie Allen told Billy that he now has to ask the school to do just that, because he’s made it to the Top 20. Billy does a little dance, and his dramatic entrance into the waiting room cracked Cat up.
Two dancers, Jake and Brandon, didn’t make it through, but the judges appreciated their talent and asked them to try again next year.
Amber Jackson was up next. This powerhouse and amazing technical dancer didn’t have the performance quality the judges were looking for during her hometown audition. In Vegas, she brought out her personality. As Amber approached the judges, Mary told her she is stunning and her technique is exquisite, but said that is not enough – the judges are looking for even more personality. Amber won’t be in the Top 20 this season, but the judges believe in her. The dancers are so shocked to find out about Amber that they jump up out of their chair and some cry.
Krumper Russell Ferguson wants to be the first krumper ever to make the Top 20 on SYTYCD. Mia told Russell, “When I first saw you dance…I was blown away because it was so authentic…and then you kept proving yourself.” During Vegas week, she announced that she’d like to see Russell in the Top 10. Russell is halfway there – he’s in the Top 20. He cried tears of joy – krumpers have a soft side too!
Kevin K’bez Hunte amazed the judges with his own style, hip hop, and his ability to tackle all of the other genres. To share the good news with the dancers in the waiting room, K’bez put his hood over his face and then flashed two thumbs up at his pals. He and Russell seemed glad to embark on the SYTYCD journey together.
Three tap dancers made it to the Top 38 and were patiently and nervously awaiting their fate – Phillip Attmore, Bianca Revels, and Peter Sabasino. No tappers have ever made it to the Top 20. Bianca and Peter auditioned for the show before, but this is the first time tappers have never made it to this point in the competition. Bianca said she’d be happy as long as one of the tap dancers made it to the Top 20. Cat told Bianca that she’s up first. It’s her third season auditioning and she’s so glad she came back for Season 6 auditions. After psyching Bianca out, Nigel admitted that she’s in the Top 20. Bianca fell to the floor, cried, and asked Nigel why he duped her like that.
Tap dancer Phillip Attmore was next. He talked back to the judges after the group round of auditions in an attempt to stick up for his group. When Phillip greeted the judges, they openly discussed his defensive nature. But thanks to his smooth dancing and a killer solo, Phillip was sent through.
Peter Sabasino was not discouraged by the news that two tap dancers are now in the Top 20, saying that the only thing better than two in the top 20 is three. Despite having a few ups and downs during Vegas auditions, Peter gets to join the other two tappers in the Top 20. Phillip and Bianca looked crushed and nervous as they waited for Peter to emerge from behind the curtain. After Peter announced the good news, his fellow tappers rushed him and celebrated.
Although the tap dancers were successful, five other dancers met with the judges and were sent home.
Next up was contemporary dancer Victor Smalley. The judges talked about him often during the course of Vegas week – first because they didn’t like his distracting hair. He shaved his head after the judges confronted him about his hair style, which caused the judges to focus less on his hair and more on his strength. Nigel said that this season saw some of the strongest contemporary guys across all six seasons of the show. Adam told Victor he’s in the Top 20, and Victor was so excited.
Another contemporary dancer, Jakob Karr, also made the Top 20, and he kicked up his legs in celebration.
Noelle and Mollee were still nervous. There were only 5 spots left, and it was Mollee’s turn to find out her future. Mollee has gone through the motions today, and now she’s just ready to find out what the verdict is. The judges want her to dance like a 20 year old instead of a 14-15 year old. Nigel fooled her and then revealed to her that she’s in the Top 20, but she has to grow and mature. She skipped down the hall and followed Nigel’s suit by tricking the waiting dancers. When Mollee revealed the truth, Noelle was thrilled for her new BFF.
Pauline Mata was up next. She didn’t get to perform her Broadway number or her final solo for the judges because she sprained her ankle and was carted off to the hospital. Adam told Pauline, “not getting to perform your final solo was a disadvantage, but only for the TV audience,” because the judges think she’s fabulous and she’s a part of the Season 6 Top 20.
Then it was Noelle’s turn to meet with the judges. She tried out last season but was cut during Broadway choreography. The judges thought she improved since last season. Noelle emerged from the hallway and announced that she made it. She and Mollee embraced each other and jumped and screamed. “I’ve never been so excited,” Noelle said.
After four more dancers were cut, it was b-boy Legacy Perez’s turn to meet with the judges. He was unsure of his fate since a hip hop dancer and a krumper were just put into the Top 20. After a fake-out from Mary Murphy, Legacy learned that he made the Top 20. Mary reminded him that he needs to “bring it” in all of the other dance styles. Legacy was in shock until all six judges announced simultaneously, “You’re in the Top 20!”
Paula van Oppen made it this far last season, but she did not make the Season 5 Top 20. The judges love her and invited her into the Season 6 Top 20. Paula said that means the world to her.
A total of 18 dancers were through – 9 guys and 9 girls. Four dancers remained in the waiting room, and all four were ballroom dancers. Husband and wife Ryan and Ashleigh Di Lello were two of the hopefuls. Ryan and Gene went in first. Ashleigh said she was going to cry, so Ryan ran back to give her a hug. Ballroom expert Mary told the men, “Ryan, those guns are going to be moving into the next round.” Ryan and Gene embraced. The last spot was for Karen Hauer or Ashleigh. Karen auditioned with her husband, but he was cut during Vegas week. Nigel told Ashleigh that Ryan got through, and she began to cry. Nigel said that through out the auditions process, Karen didn’t do anything wrong and Ashleigh grew. Ultimately, Karen made the Top 20. As Ryan waited anxiously with Cat he said, “If Ashleigh doesn’t make it, she can have my spot.” Karen shared her good news and Ryan was shocked but cordial. He attempted to fight back tears. There was a long wait before Ashleigh came out. Ashleigh said, “I made it too!” All 20 dancers began to cry. Here’s what happened – Paula politely turned the judges’ down because she was offered a contract for a movie. She wished she could be part of the show, but she is unable to do both. As Ashleigh and Ryan kissed, Bianca said, “Now you have 18 kids!”
America, your Top 20 is:
Channing (contemporary), Nathan (contemporary), Russell (krump), Kathryn (contemporary), Billy (contemporary), Ariana (contemporary), Ellenore (jazz), Jakob (contemporary), Bianca (tap), Kevin (hip hop), Mollee (jazz), Phillip (tap), Noelle (contemporary), Victor (contemporary), Pauline (jazz), Peter (tap), Karen (ballroom), Legacy (b-boy), Ashley (ballroom), and Ryan (ballroom).
What are your thoughts on the Top 20? Any surprise eliminations? Do you have any early favorites? Throughout Vegas week we saw a clip of Mia saying “Season 6 will blow Season 5 out of the water.” Do you agree?
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