IMO, should have been Kupono and Evan. Hm.

I was really shocked and disappointed to see Ade in the bottom two. I was very bummed to see Melissa down there too.

Melissa’s one of my favorite dancers on the show over the past few seasons, actually…I really think people underestimate how difficult it is to do what she does. Her technique is impeccable, and she’s delivered on everything she’s been given–contemporary, jazz, waltz, rumba. (Remember that rumba??? whew! lol) Maybe it’s because she makes it look so easy? I dunno. I guess that’s why ballet isn’t so popular here in the states…as a (retired) dancer, I think what she does is the most impressive. Maybe that’s why it is America’s Favorite Dancer…everyone’s got different opinions.

I am not impressed with Janette. I mean, her tango was unreal, but she was always the weaker dancer than Brandon. I also think her hip hop was lacking and her solos aren’t that “wow” for me. She’s cute as can be, and has a great personality, but she just doesn’t do it for me. Neither does Kayla. Oh well.

But was anyone else as shocked as I was about Ade? Come ON Evan fans…really?

lol Gotta love this show.

I do think it’s fascinating how we click and like/dislike people’s personalities based on the teeny interviews, etc. we see. I will go ahead and out myself by admitting that Melissa is a friend so I know more than we see on the screen (and she’s really sweet and fun, I promise!).

Someone else wrote that they appreciate that this is billed as “America’s FAVORITE Dancer” and not necessarily the BEST dancer, so our opinions/impressions make all the difference.

Still thinking it’s Randi/Kupono tonight. Must run to the gym to be back by go-time!

Stephanie, I certainly agree that the solos mean different things to different people. I know very little about dance whereas I enjoy musical theatre so I like to see the acting and emotional parts of a performance. However, I watch with my mother, who danced ballet for years and does know about the technical aspects of the style. She isn’t overly impressed with Melissa or her solos either, despite noting that she has excellent technique. She did comment on Jeanine’s solo from the week before though, mentioning that one of the moves was very hard to do.

I feel the same way as Mrs. I know she’s a good dancer, but something about her rubs me the wrong way and I don’t know if that’s personality or what. I hope that Melissa proves me wrong like Jason did last night.

I think it is time for Evan to go. He is great at “his thing” and tons of fun to watch, but he’s out of his element now. I think either he or Kupono should go home. I wanted Kupono gone at the very beginning, started to like him more in the middle, and now he’s dropped again. I’d like to see him one more time just in case…but either he or Evan need to go.

Been a fan of Janette from the beginning; she’s sexy, talented, a great performer. At first I thought Jeanine was lucky because of her pairing with Phillip…but then she is the one who started standing out! I think Kayla is amazing, but I do agree with the observation that she seems a bit too reserved. I totally agree with all of you who think Randi is the one who needs to go.

So…I don’t agree with the original rankings (and will be really annoyed if Evan’s fan base keeps him in much longer), but I do agree with many of you!

Chelsea, I definitely agree. Evan is by no means the most talented dancer if you’re speaking about technicality. But (and this could be the actress in me) he dances with such character and such style, it’s easy for me to overlook his shortcomings (ha! no pun intended) and still find him endearing. And you really have to admit that in his own style, the man’s a genius.

I felt last night was great…that Jeanine and Jason piece was my favorite of the season (and that’s saying a lot because I’ve loved some of the pieces this year). I loved the hip hop, but I don’t think Janette really held her own so much. I felt she struggled with the “funkiness” of it, though she hit it hard. I guess that’s all you can ask for. I feel like Kayla is starting to come out of her shell, but I still don’t feel as much from her when she dances. I think it’s likely her immaturity…I think that she’ll grow into it so that her technique matches her soul.

I love Melissa, so I don’t agree with Emilie on that one, but to each her/his own, right?

I think that Jeanine won me over though, now. Melissa is still one of my favorites, but Jeanine has surpassed her in my mind now.

Here’s my rankings:

Girls:
1. Jeanine
2. Melissa
3. Janette
4. Kayla
5. Randi (which bums me out, because I love her power…but she can sometimes short cut her moves and not finish them completely, which hinders her, I think.)

Guys:
1. Ade (speaks for itself, doesn’t it? lol)
2. Jason (I kinda felt he may have gone home last week, but I’m so glad he finally was able to show why he was on the show…he’s really phenomenal.)
3. Brandon (I’m up in the air between him and Ade as best guy dancers, but I def like Ade’s personality better!)
4. Evan (He’s cute as a button, and his style is impeccable, but he’s just not as strong as the others, I think. But his fan base is crazy strong, so I think he’ll be around for awhile!!)
5. Kupono (amazing personality, but he just doesn’t have the technique that the others do.)

Emilie- Oddly enough I don’t have a problem with Kupono’s masculinity in his dancing, I think he looks quite masculine when he dances. Sometimes I just don’t think he has the technique or something that some of the others have to really get the choreography, which is a shame because in other piece’s he’s brilliant. I’ll be sorry to see him go but I know he deserves to leave. The only dance where I didn’t feel he was “masculine” enough was last night’s paso doble.

It’s so nice to have another Evan fan around! I know he’s not the most technically gifted dancer in the competition but there’s just something about him that I love and when he dances his solos he makes me smile. He remains my favourite of the guys.

Brandon
Ade
Jason
Evan
Kupono

Janette (although I agree last night’s piece was lacking)
Jeanine
Melissa
Kayla
Randi

I would be pretty surprised if anyone other than those two went home tonight (although I know one of the other dancers was convinced that he/she would be headed home instead).

Kupono has never quite cut it for me, aside from the fabulous crash-test piece. He’s just too femmy for much of the material, which the judges totally called at his initial audition.

Randi is, I think, held back by something and I can’t put my finger on what. I don’t dislike her but the last two weeks have not been good. Of the 5 gals remaining, I’d be least sorry to see her go.

I think the most technically proficient and versatile girl left is Kayla, but the passion and story are missing, except for the addiction piece. Kayla’s execution is always flawless and effortless but without heart/soul, it just doesn’t make the grade for me.

It’s hard to look at some of these dancers in terms of “growth” because I don’t think any of the remaining girls has really grown on the show. And I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. I think they’ve each always been competent but I’d be hard pressed to come up with a recipient for the “most improved” award.

I do have to pipe up for Melissa. I don’t know what anyone could find that would merit words like “limited” and “obnoxious”. She’s held her own in the group hip-hop numbers, especially last week, so she seems to be able to tackle everything she’s given. It would be nice if she had the opportunity to do a more passionate piece a la Travis’ one or Mia’s addiction number. I think she would deliver as well as the others have.

They don’t really talk about this on the show, but some of these dancers have been rehearsing/performing through illness and injury. Maybe if the audience knew about that, it might influence votes because I think it takes additional skill to be able to deliver despite those challenges.

*stepping off soap box*