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Awesome SYTYCD Canada Promo with Nico and Tara-Jean

This is amazing… I saw it on tonight’s SYTYCD commercial break and had to record it to share with everyone… I LOVE NICO!!!

So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 3 Promo with Nico and Tara-Jean.

August 15 SYTYCD Canada starts, and I will be posting regularily here for those of you unable to watch via Much Music or CTV. (Don’t worry I fast forward through Jean-Marc too… and sometimes Leah Miller, though she is fun to make fun of…)

July 29, 2010 I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

What is Tara-Jean up to?

What is Tara-Jean up to since her win?

CTV caught up with her to see….

The reality of being Canada’s Favourite Dancer still hasn’t sunk in for Tara-Jean Popowich. “It’s been amazing, everything’s been amazing, but it still totally catches me by surprise!” she laughs.

It might not have sunk in for Tara-Jean, but it certainly has for her hometown of Lethbridge, Alta. This week, in a special ceremony, Tara-Jean was given the key to her hometown, but not before Mayor Robert Tarleck waltzed with Tara-Jean around City Hall.

“He’s a really good partner. He was leading me really well,” Tara-Jean laughs.

“The weirdest part is seeing my face everywhere and my name,” she says, adding she’s seen her photograph on billboards and on the front lawns of schools. “Even on a McDonald’s sign,” she laughs.

“Lethbridge people are so excited for me!” she says. “After Halloween, I got a whole bunch of messages about kids dressing up as Tara-Jean for Halloween! They were wearing blonde wigs and were wearing hats with dance outfits. It’s so crazy!”

Family time: Perogies and cabbage rolls

After her exciting win at the end of October, Tara-Jean headed home to spend some time with her family. “It was pretty late when I got in, but all my family surprised me. We ended up staying up until 3 o’clock in the morning,” she says.

After what she calls “the best sleep I’ve had in the last four months,” Tara-Jean indulged in a feast of her favourite foods.

“We’re such a Ukrainian family and I really missed having perogies and cabbage rolls, so that was the first thing my mom cooked for me,” she says.

Busy, busy, busy

Tara-Jean hasn’t had too much time to relax since her win, but she’s not complaining. She gets her 2010 Mazda 3 Sport next week and this week, she walked the red carpet at Flare magazine’s 30th anniversary.

“I brought three different dresses, but until the very last minute, I hadn’t picked which one I wanted to wear,” she giggles.

Though she still hasn’t figured out exactly how she’s going to spend all of her $100,000 prize money, she is helping her mom pay off the rest of her mortgage and also helping her brother with his education. With the rest of the funds, she hopes to start her own dance company and produce her own show.

Motivational speeches

Tara-Jean believes in giving back to the community that supported her throughout her SYTYCDC journey, and has been visiting Lethbridge schools to chat with excited students.

“It was kind of overwhelming at first, because all the kids just run up to you and want to take pictures and get autographs, but it’s so amazing,” she says, reveling in the position of role model.

At many of the schools, there were boxes of woodchips that said ‘Knock on wood for Tara-Jean.’ “How cute is that?” Tara-Jean beams.

“‘If I achieved something, so can you,’ she tells the students. “‘I was exactly like you, I was an average student, I didn’t come from a lot of money, just a small-town girl from Lethbridge.’

“It’s really nice to see kids really have faith in themselves,” she adds. “I love that the message is out there that you can do whatever you want no matter where you’re from. It makes me so happy.

“I was sitting in those exact same desks and look where I’ve gone. It’s a lot of hard work, but they can do it.”

Source

November 15, 2009 I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

Season 2 Winner of So You Think You Can Dance Canada – Tara-Jean

End of October was a busy time and I can’t believe I didn’t post this…. then I was very ill for the start of November, so here we go, better late than never…

From Four there was one….

Tara-Jean Won Season 2 of So You Think You Can Dance Canada.

I was pretty shocked because she didn’t ever really stand out to me, I even predicted she’d go home a few times… that being said, she is so sweet and talented, I am quite thrilled she did win.

Of course we know from previous seasons of SYTYCD Canada and USA that many of the dancers Top 10 and otherwise go on to great things…. I wish Tara-Jean the best of luck.

I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 2 – Top 4

It feels like this season flew by.

I apologize for my lack of posts and power rankings last week but I was unable to post, despite having watched and taken notes for a post – I just didn’t get time. I can say I was shocked Melanie Mah went home, as she was a fave from day one for me and I was not surprised Emmanuel went home, as I felt he had gone as far as he could and should have gone home the week previously instead of Cody.

That being said – let’s focus on our Top 4 – – – wow!

There is so much chatter from the judges that the girls are the stars and that a female will win it, I can’t help but wonder if this is suggestive from the judges to try and make it a female since Nico won last year…. maybe I am just a conspiracy theorist…. but I think the men are equally talented as the women and it will be a tough season finale to watch.

I loved seeing the 4 dance together, then the 2 males and 2 females. Plus couples dances and solo’s made an action-packed evening.

We had some awesome judges (yes I am biased-ly in love with Blake McGrath & his blue jacket!)

Leah looked less “wind-tunnelled” (yes, that is as close to a compliment as she gets…. she is too young to have a face that looks it’s had plastic surgery)

Top 4
Melanie LaPatin and Tony Meredith.
Cabaret

Sexy, Hot, Loved the entire thing to bits!

Top 2 Men
Show-Tyme
Hip Hop

This was so fast, I really enjoyed it, I thought Everett picked it up better, perhaps from his tap skills?

Tara-Jean & Everett
Sean Cheeseman
Jazz

This was so moving, it made me love these two most of the top 4… powerful, emotional, despite a tumble…Best / Fave Routine of the Night

Top 2 Women
Melanie LaPatin and Tony Meredith.
Mambo

This was good, Jayme Rae outshone Tara-Jean (in my opinion) but the “salt & pepper spice” comment by Blake and the mini-lap-dances from the girls to the judges was cute & fun.

Jayme Rae & Vincent
Stacey Tookey
Contemporary

This was an awesome routine also – my 2nd fave of the night I think… though at Top 4 they are all amazing aren’t they?

Tara-Jean & Vincent
Maria Torres
Hustle

Her dress was stunning and they moved so well together, it was entertaining and awesome

Jayme Rae & Everett
Kelly Lannan & Eric Caty
Samba

Everett is such a showman and Jayme Rae has such an appeal – I just love watching these 2 dance. Look at this photo – what an ending!!!

Solo’s

Jayme Rae – She became a fave early on and has remained strong. I find her entertaining and alluring and I think people will vote for her. If she wins, Canada will have voted well.

Tara-Jean – Pretty and quiet, she never stood out for me, I often predicted she’d go home but she is still here and she always shows us why. Her solo was full of flips and jumps that impressed me.

Vincent – His solo’s are always amazing. Although I wasn’t a huge fan in the start and even thought he’d go home earlier on, he seems like an easy win based on his following.

Everett – His tapping just captivates me. He is the underdog in my opinion, but if he won it I’d be happily pleased. He is like the Evan of SYTYCD last season in my books.

My Picks

I’d like to see Everett or Jayme Rae take it… but I feel like Vincent or tara-Jean might. I know I am copping out of predictions… I jsut think they are all so wonderful.

[Photo Source]

October 22, 2009 I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

SYTYCD Top 6 Choreography Critiques

Top 6 already??  Seriously?  I don’t know how it happened.

Mary Murphy as guest judge- this should be interesting, at least it will give the judges some more energy while doing the judging.

Vincent/Tara Jean
Salsa

This piece was great.  I think that Tara Jean was the star of that piece, but that might be because she was wearing very little and managed to land some amazing lifts.  On the other hand- Vincent was terrific as well.  I love the idea that Salsa can be updated and young while still holding its technical merits.

Everett/Melanie
Jazz/Rock

I was totally underwhelmed by this piece.  It felt forced and awkward the whole way through.  The music was loud and annoying.   They are so much better than this piece showed them to be.  And that lift over the head- I think that might have been the most awkward, un-attracted and un-stable lift I’ve seen on this program.  People won’t remember this piece.

Emanuel/Jayme Rae
Quickstep

It’s either going to be magical or horrific.  There is no middle ground in the Quickstep.  This just wasn’t good enough- the Quickstep has to have a fluidity to it and they both were quite stiff and uncomfortable looking.  As Mary said- the open work was fun to watch, but those steps and choreography weren’t Quickstep moves.  I don’t believe that axels are usually seen in a Quickstep.  I hope that Emanuel does better in the next piece- because he might be in trouble based on that piece.

It seems to me that the judges in Canada are much more leniant than the judges on the American version of the show.  I wonder why that is because if Nigel was reviewing that piece he wouldn’t have had nice things to say like Jean-Marc did.

Vincent/Tara Jean
Contemporary

This piece is why people dance.  It was as full of emotion and connection as it was with movement.  Neither Vincent or Tara Jean out-danced one another.  It was all about the moment.  No special lights, no elaborate costumes were necessary.  They put it all on the stage with such courage and beauty.  I’m amazed.

Everett/Melanie
Hiphop

It’s difficult to go from such a tender piece to a hard hitting hiphop however this piece was well executed.  The connected pieces were well done, and they pulled off the dirty-ness that was needed to bring the steps to life.  It was fun and totally convincing.

Emanuel/Jayme Rae
JazzFunk

I liked this piece- but I’m always nervous about a piece that was too many props involved.  I think that Jayme Rae out-danced Emanuel this time.  I keep getting distracted by Emanuel’s facial expressions but maybe it’s just me.  It was really really sexy, but I guess I just didn’t really believe it.

October 13, 2009 I Written By

So You Think You Can Dance Canada Top 8 Results Show

The opening routein by Tyce Diorio was awesome. I am a little upset with the camera men I felt like I was missing a lot of awesome moves because they were zoomed in on certain people.

Also, Next Tuesday Mia Michaels is choreographing the group routine….. exciting! I did my Power Rankings this week but was off quite a bit. Here are Tonight’s Results.

Girls

Jayme Rae – Safe (As I predicted)
Kim – Not Safe (Not as I predicted)
Tara-Jean – Safe (Not as I predicted)
Melanie – Not Safe (Not as I predicted)

Boys

Cody – Not Safe (As I predicted)
Vincent – Safe (As I predicted)
Emanuel – Safe (Not as I predicted)
Everett – Not Safe (Not as I predicted)

I was way off with predictions this week.

Solos

Kim – Sexy, hot, hard hitting
Melanie – Pretty, passionate, full
Cody – cute, quirky, fun
Everett – Pure talent, entertaining

Good-Bye

Kim & Cody


Final Thoughts

If you had asked me a couple weeks ago I would not be upset if Kim went home but I was really starting to like her and so it was sad to see her leave. Cody I adore but I knew he wouldn’t make it to the end. I am plesantly surprised Melanie is still here, she was my favourite from day one. Final 6 … this will only get more difficult!

October 7, 2009 I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

So You Think You Can Dance Canada Top 8 Photos

Judges Corner

I never say this…. but Leah Miller looked nice tonight

Jayme Rae & Everett perform the Mambo choreographed by Gustavo Vargas

Tara-Jean & Vincent perform the Rumba choreographed by Eric Caty

Kim & Cody perform Hip Hop choreographed by Luther Brown

Melanie & Emanuel perform Contemporary choreographed by Sabrina Matthews

Tara-Jean & Vincent perform Krump choreographed by Lil C

Kim & Cody perform the Smooth Waltz choreographed by Pierre Allaire

Melanie & Emanuel perform Disco choreographed by Melissa Williams

I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

So You Think You Can Dance Canada Power Rankings Top 8

What a night. I can honestly say we have an unbelievable Top 8. And Mia is right, our Top 4 girls are the best i have seen!!!

Last week I predicted who would go home, however it is getting so difficult. I can say who I feel should be in the bottom or who I think Canada will vote for.

Mia Michaels (with a new shaved head), Dan Karaty, Tre Armstrong and Jean-Marc Genereux were judges and we had Nico Archambault debut as a SYTYCD choreographer. It was indeed a special night.

Although during rehearsals there were multiple injuries with Everett suffering from a bleeding nose from a few kicks in the face to Emmanuel’s sprained ankle (and his fingers are still bandaged) but the show must go on – and it did – and it was spectacular!

Top 4 Guys Dance
Jazz with Melissa Williams
“Beggin” The Four Seasons - Jersey Boys - Beggin' – Jersey Boyz

They were not at all in unison, a boy band they are NOT! I did enjoy the solo bits with spins and kicks as well as the overall routine. Vincent stood out for me.

Top 4 Girls Dance
Burlesque in my opinion with Sean Cheeseman
“Dr. Feelgood” Aretha Franklin - Aretha Franklin: 30 Greatest Hits - Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business) – Aretha Franklin

This was sexy, hot and amazing. The girls were in sync, each had a chance to shine and the choreography was super seductive. Jayme Rae stood out *slightly* for me but overall the all shone like the superstars they are.

Couples

Vincent & Tara-Jean

1. Rumba with Eric Caty
“Hero” Enrique Iglesias - Escape - Hero – Enrique Iglesias

Maybe it’s the song but I teared up, I was covered in goosebumps and I enjoyed every moment of this amazing routine. The kiss at the end was hot and Mia Michaels was correct, the end bit was very Karma Sutra. I just loved it, Tara-Jean was sexy and Vincent was powerful and I adored every second of this routine.

2. Krump with Lil’ C
“Chea-Chea-Chea” – Tha J Squad

Neither hit it very hard but it was a good effort. Tara-Jean seems to me to be the weakest link of the 4 girls, though even saying that feels wrong because they are all so amazing. Vincent delivered though it was not overly “krumpy” for me.

Tara-Jean
“Farewell” Rosie Thomas - When We Were Small - Farewell – Rosie Thomas

Passionate, Emotional, Pretty. But not sure if her overall effort will get her to next week.

Vincent
“U Can’t Touch This” MC Hammer - MC Hammer: Greatest Hits - U Can't Touch This – MC Hammer

Unique song choice for his genre of dance but he delivered. It was hot, sexy and most importantly ENTERTAINING!

Kim & Cody

1. Hip Hop with Luther Brown
“Humpin’ Around” Bobby Brown - All the Number Ones - Humpin' Around – Bobby Brown

I loved this routine. Mia Michaels called it “dope” and I concur. It was hard, it was hyped, it was a throw back to old school hip hop and they nailed it. Both of them were in their genre and showed they could rock it out.

2. Smooth Waltz with Pierre Allaire
“What a Wonderful World” Louis Armstrong - Louis Armstrong's All-Time Greatest Hits - What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

This fell flat. It was cute and quirky, I was shocked to see Kim not being sexy… but it was not entertaining and as the judges pointed out it showed poor technique and didn’t deliver.

Kim
“Jerk it” Thunderheist - Thunderheist - Jerk It -Thunderhiest

Back to the sexy where she belongs this was an amazing routine. I especially loved the gliding across the floor on her back and the abrupt sudden movements… hot!

Cody
“Missin’ You” Trey Songz - Trey Day (Bonus Track Version) - Missin You – Tre Songz

The problem with Cody is that his hip hop is smooth and natural and looks to come so easy. I think that can be mistaken for lack of effort or passion. I believe he HAS the passion and drive and effort, but he is just so talented his solo’s appear relaxed. I hope this doesn’t land him in the bottom

Emanuel & Melanie

1. Contemporary (Ballet parts) with Sabrina Matthews
“The Scientist” Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head - The Scientist – Coldplay

What great lines. It was a beautiful routine though I felt the pairing was a bit off. The judges really emphasized how well Melanie did while playing hard ball with Emmanuel. He was injured, he did miss rehersals, he did fairly well all things considered, but also he is a fan favourite mainly because of his background with skating and his familiarity.

2. Disco with Melissa Williams
“Hush Hush” The Pussycat Dolls - Doll Domination - Hush Hush -Pussycat Dolls

I enjoyed the routine. I feel like Melanie has been in the bottom when she shouldn’t have been before and fear that will occur again. Emmanuel I feel has been in the top when he shouldn’t have been and wonder how Canada will vote this week given he was injured.

Melanie
“Innocence” Björk - Volta - Innocence – Bjork

I loved this solo. The song choice was so perfect for her movements. She really delivered passion and talent and showcased why she should stick around.

Emanuel
“Mad World” The Hitmakers - Big Smash Hits - Mad World (as made famous by Adam Lambert) – Adam Lambert

He always looks to glide on ice. I wanted to see more. I worried about his ankle. I feel it is tough to judge or rank someone who is injured. I don’ tknow if people will vote for him based on previous weeks and loving him already or even as sympathy for his injury or if he will finally go home. We shall see tomorrow.

Jayme Rae & Everett

1. Mamba with Gustavo Varagas
“En Berransvilla Me Quedo” Joe Arroyo - La Verdad de Joe Arroyo - En Barranquilla Me Quedo – Joe Arroyo

Jayme Rae’s hips were flying and she was sexy as hell even as her costume was falling apart. The kicks, spins, dips and that end flip… wow! Entertaining and amazing. Yes Jayme Rae outshone Everett but that is how it should be and Mia Michaels was correct – HOT A LICIOUS!

2. Jazz Funk with Nico Archambault & Wynn Holmes
“Sexy Chick” David Guetta - One Love - Sexy Chick (feat. Akon) – David Guetta (feat. Akon)

If Nico’s choreo can’t keep these two out of the bottom 2 I don’t know what can… Nico’s debut as a choreo on the show was AMAZING… I loved it as much as I love him !!! Everett was the perfect geek and Jayme Rae sexy as sexy can be. The story was cute, the moves were amazing it was a well-crafted routine from idea to performance….

Jayme Rae
“gettin’ in the Way” Jill Scott - Who Is Jill Scott? - Words and Sounds, Vol. 1 - Gettin' In the Way -Jill Scott

Every movement was precise and amazing. I think she should be safe based on her paired routines and solo. She has become quite the superstar.

Everett
“Stand By Me” Ben E. King - Ben E. King: Anthology - Stand by Me -Ben E King

This guy is entertaining. He makes tap fun again. I can’t keep my eyes off him when he moves and that is a good thing. I think he should be safe.

Power Rankings

Girls

1. Kim
2. Jayme Rae
3. Melanie
4. Tara-Jean

Boys

1. Vincent
2. Everett
3. Cody
4. Emanuel

I predict Tara-Jean and Emanuel go Home (Though I kind of sadly think it may be Cody and not Emanuel, I would probably cry if that was true though)

Do you agree? Disagree? Why?

We will see Tomorrow Night

October 6, 2009 I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

SYTYCD Top 8

I’m not over the fact that Canada got it wrong when it came to the guys vote last week.  Austin should have stayed at home.  But nevertheless we press on to the top 8!

First observation: I want to be Mia Michael- what a gorgeous mama with the shaved head.  Hot Hot Hot.

Boys Dance:
This piece was really well choreographed by some guys definitely were out-danced by others.  There is a reason that Emanuel was in the back-he wasn’t as clean or seeming comfortable enough with the choreography.  Although he does have a sprained ankle – so I’ll lay off a bit.  I did love the fact that it was a ‘manly’ piece with great music.

Tara Jean/Vincent
Rumba

I was in that piece.  It was an innocent love that had moments of sexyness in it.  I thought that they were totally in the music and into to each other.  It was just a beautiful piece.  I’m jealous of Vincent’s feet.  Always beautifully pointed.

Kim and Cody
Hiphop

I guess that SYTYCD Canada has a deep seeded love affair with old school style hiphop.  What about lyrical??  It was good they were both good.  Didn’t move me or do anything that we haven’t seen before.  I’m just bored with the hiphop.

Melanie/Emanuel
Contemporary

The judges are going to rave about this piece.  I thought that there were nice moments in the piece but as a whole it didn’t move me the way that contemporary usually does.  People have been commenting about something looking off with Emanuel’s chest, I think that because his legs are so long it makes him look shrunken up top.  That was noticeable to me in this piece.  I just didn’t think that there was much genuine in this piece.  I didn’t really believe that they were together.  I guess I was wrong- the judges didn’t rave.


Jayme Rae/Everett
Mambo

I think that it’s because Everett is a tap dancer he has this organic level to him that makes him even compete with Jayme Rae and her falling-apart costume.  Jayme Rae is just this dirty hot thing who may not like to be in the follow position but she is in total charge of her hips.  It was a great piece.  It just shows the audience that you have to be ‘in’ the piece for us to love it.

Top 4 girls

Loved it!  Sexy in a vintage kind of way.  It was great and classic.

Vincent/Tara Jean
Krump

Lil C!  this was good, although Vincent got lost compared to Tara Jean.  He just wasn’t hitting it hard enough.  But he is such a good dancer, it almost didn’t even matter.  He was 90% there.

Kim/Cody
Smooth Waltz

It was lovely.  The choreography was.  The dancing itself just wasn’t really flowing.  They were uncomfortable in the piece and it showed.  People on the moon could see how awkward it was.  It was lovely but terribly uncomfortable.


Melanie/Emanuel
Disco

I didn’t like this piece.  It had zero rhythm and even though Disco is so hard to dance and pull off, it shouldn’t look as hard as it did.  Also, for Emanuel being in this God-like shape he should be throwing her around that stage with no problems or effort.  The whole seemed way to heavy.  Emanuel might be in trouble.

Jayme Rae/Everett
Jazz Funk

Now that is what Jazz/Funk’s definition is.  The characters were fantastic and believable.  The movement was crisp and clean throughout.  The timing was spot on. The connection between Jayme Rae and Everett was totally on point.  I loved this piece!

It definitely ended on a high note..  I can’t imagine who will be going home.  Should be interesting!

I Written By

So You Think You Can Dance Canada Top 8 Dancers Superstitions

The Top 8 Dancers are a superstitious bunch! What do your Top 8 dancers do before stepping on stage?

Cody Bonnell, 19, Unionville, Ont.
I always wear black underwear if it doesn’t show under my costume!

Emanuel Sandhu, 28, Vancouver, B.C.
I just try to keep focused, but I always have a black coffee before going on stage.

Everett Smith, 25, Glen Morris, Ont.
I didn’t used to be superstitious, but after dancing with Tara-Jean, I make sure I knock on wood.

Jayme Rae Dailey, 21, Montreal, Que.
I take a moment to myself and close my eyes and hope for the best.

Kim Gingras, 24, Montreal, Que.
I listen to a lot of Frank Sinatra! It calms me down before the show and makes me super happy. But if I need more energy, it’s all about Beyoncé!

Melanie Mah, 19, Richmond Hill, Ont.
Right before I go on stage, I usually do crunches. And I get a little superstitious about it and have to do a certain number — usually 38!

Tara-Jean Popowich, 20, Lethbridge, Alta.
I stand on my tippy-toes with my eyes closed before I go on stage. And of course I knock on my piece of wood whenever I need to!

Vincent Desjardins, 20, Trois-Rivières, Que.
I don’t really have any superstitions, but when I’m doing ballroom, I really brush the bottoms of my shoes to make sure they’re not slippery. I do it at least 10 times before going on stage.

[source]

I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com