So You Think You Can Dance: Solo Dancing Cuts Anya Loose and Lack of Diversity Knocks Off Hok.
Opening strong with Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy I once again was amazed at the hard work all of the dancers put into the show. Learning difficult routines week after week often not in their genre and sometimes with a new partner then finishing with a group dance for the results show must stretch these kids to the limit. Exiting the stage after their fun and energy filled dance Cat Deeley, who always looks stunning even though she was wearing a prom dress last night, wastes no time in focusing strongly, adamantly, and often throughout the hour show that two dancers will not make it through to the next round and they will not go on the 50 city tour. The stakes are high and everyone can feel it.
Calling forward the first two couples I am slightly disappointed to see Dominic and Sabre and Danny and Anya. My precious Dominic and Sabre CAN’T be in the bottom 3!! On the other hand, I don’t think Danny or Anya should be there either!!! They were GREAT last night. I actually liked Danny for the first time. The thought “sweet” crossed my mind as he flitted across the floor. The Danny I was used to seeing, the one I thought was so full of himself was nowhere to be found. Anya was breathtaking! How could one of them be in the Bottom 3??? With mixed emotions we see that Dominic and Sabre are safe, but I’m not happy Danny and Anya are in the Bottom 3. Didn’t the judges say they had the best fox trot the show had ever seen? They were breathless, classy, and simply fantastic last night.
Next are Jaimie and Hok and Pasha and Sara. Jaimie and Hok didn’t do so well last night. Jaimie I’ve never connected with because I think I’m always looking at Hok. Hok for the past two weeks has been given dance routines out of his comfort zone and he has not risen to the occasion. Pasha on the other hand is sizzling and a great partner and solo dancer. He too has been thrust out of his comfort zone but unlike Hok he has proven himself diverse. Sara too has amazing diversity and their chemistry cannot be denied and was apparent in their retro 80’s number. Who didn’t love it? Happily Pasha and Sara are safe. Does this mean both Jaimie and Hok will go home?
Finally Lauren and Neil and Lacey and Kameron are up. This one is tough. Lauren and Neil did better last night than Lacey and Kameron. However, Lacey and Kameron are extremely popular. Neil continues to impress me. Last week and this week he has proven to me he deserves to be in the Top 10. Kameron, not so much. After the vote we see that Lauren and Neil are in the Bottom 3 and I don’t agree. America, you got it wrong this time. But, it is America’s FAVORITE dancer, not the BEST dancer. Undeservedly Lauren and Neil join Anya and Danny and Jaimie and Hok.
As each dancer performed their solo’s and danced for their lives I have to say that I felt each of them really brought it. Anya worked it and gave it her all but it was apparent that she is a ball room dancer and shines best with a partner. Danny had some amazing extensions and real genuine emotion. Again “sweet” flitted through my mind. Jaimie really was lovely but she didn’t “spark” anything for me. Hok worked it like it was his last dance but it only shone the spotlight brighter on his lack of diversity. He is amazing at what he does but stumbles at most anything else thrown his way. Lauren was fantastic and Neil’s jumps for sure sent him through to the Top 10. So who goes home?
Looking at Anya, Jaimie, and Lauren I was split. Lauren should stay for sure and out of Anya and Jaimie it’s tough to decide. Do you keep Anya, the beautiful, graceful lady who brought it every single week no matter what but is not a strong solo dancer? Or do you keep Jaimie whose lines, jumps, and extensions are exquisite but she lacks that certain something. In the end Anya was let go and understandably. Unfortunately for Anya it came down to the genre of dance she was trained in and Lauren and Jaimie had the upper hand. Mary Murphy was not happy and sadly neither was I.
Finally the guys stepped forward. As Neil, Hok, and Danny stood their the judges didn’t waste any time. Even though Hok is unique the decision was unanimous and Hok went home. His uniqueness and personality were a delight to all but his lack of diversity made the decision fairly easy for the judges. Even though it was tough, the judges got it right and as the show closed Hok with dynamic style and charisma danced his way out of the competition with a great attitude and firmly into the hearts of America. Bravo!
© Copyright 2007 Blindigo Magazine | Article written by Niki Tschirgi
