Top 5 Most Disliked SYTYCD Contestants
It’s the offseason of SYTYCD and so I decided that I’d start making some lists related to the various dancers from the past 6 SYTYCD. Plus I’m at McDonald’s with my son and so what else should I be doing while he has the time of his life on the playplace? Exactly.
I figured I’d start this out with a bang and make a list of the most disliked dancers ever on SYTYCD. Granted this is a bit difficult to evaluate, but I think most people on the list are pretty obvious.
It is also worth mentioning that many of these dancers had a LOT of fans that adored them as well (including myself for a few). However, in most cases for every one that loved them there were also plenty of haters. I also should add that this doesn’t mean that the dancers on this list aren’t amazing dancers. In fact, all of them are outstanding. However, outstanding dancers doesn’t mean people like you.
Now to the list…
1. Danny Tidwell – Danny is a great example of someone who had a ton of fans, but also a ton of haters. The knock on him was that he was seen as arrogant and “entitled.” I personally think he was arrogant. He was a great dancer and knew it. Compare him to Jakob Karr who was great technically as well, but was always super humble. Had Danny been so humble he probably would have won his season.
2. Blake McGrath – I didn’t even see this season of the show, but the internet archives I’ve read show that people really didn’t like Blake on the first season. He was arrogant and wore it on his sleeve. In fact, he still does. At least you know who he is, but Blake definitely had plenty of haters.
3. Lacey Schwimmer – Lacey is a really interesting case. She had to be in her brother’s shadow a bit even though she was very different. She was also partnered with no 1 on this list. Not to mention her rawness and unique qualities along with how proud she was of her uniqueness all combined to have many people not like Lacey.
4. Will Wingfield – See Danny’s desription and it was the same storyine, but not quite as strong. Brandon Bryant almost fell into this group also, but was able to avoid it with a killer solo and a little more humility. Brandon can likely thank Mia for that.
5. Ivan Kourmaev – Most people loved Ivan until he started staying on the show “longer” than people thought that he should. As people who were more “talented” than him went home people started to really dislike Ivan and want him off. Not his fault for defying odds.
6. Legacy – This is similar to Ivan, but Legacy did grow a little more than Ivan did on the show and so the dislike wasn’t quite as strong.
7. Kayla Radomski – Perfect technically and lack of personality was the gripe by many. White lightning still had a huge fan base, but many people wanted her off despite her technical prowess. I also think many women were jealous of her incredible legs. I don’t blame them. If I were female I’d be jealous too. Since I’m not she was one of my favorites.
8. Paris Torres/Tony Bellissimo – Paris was on for such a short time that people couldn’t make a real judgment, but for some reason people seemed to hate her first impression. People just never thought that Tony even deserved to be on the show.
I’m sure I missed someone since I wrote this on my phone. So, let’s hear who you think should be on this list that isn’t? Would you rank them differently.
P.S. I’ll plan on doing more uplifting lists in the future.
Blake should be at the top of the list. He dissed Dan big time duringthe audition process. His talent got him on the show but Id say he learned a lesson. Danny I agree with in the fact that he never came across as nice. Lacey I can understand I guess but her orginal parter was KAMERON. She was only partnered with Danny twice on the show. Though I think she was liked as far as SYTYCD goes I think it is DWTS where she has more haters. As for the rest it was the case of personality coming through to late or misunderstanding. Will’s could have been simply the fact he trained under Debbie Allen. Blake and Danny are always going to be at the top of the list.
Amanda,
It’s likely I put Danny at the top of the list since 1. I didn’t see season one and 2. my dislike for Danny was more than for Blake. At least you know my bias;-)
Kameron was Lacey’s first partner, but her most memorable dances (at least for me) were with Danny. She definitely has even more haters on DWTS than she did on SYTYCD.
I didn’t quite understand Will’s either, but his connection with Debbie Allen likely did play a part.
I feel like someone just listed my favorite contestants. 🙂 (Yes, I’m one of those who seem to like the people everybody else hates).
Along the same lines as Tony (or even Ivan later on in the competition), I remember a lot of viewers disliking Cedric for the simple reason that they thought he didn’t deserve to be there…people seemed to be outraged that he was kept on by the judges week after week despite being a much weaker all-around dancer than many of those who were being sent home before him. Now while I liked Cedric as a person and thought he was brilliant in his own style, I can kinda see where some might get upset about him sticking around as long as he did 😉
I seem to remember quite a few people hating Jessica from season 4 as well, as they thought she wasn’t a strong enough dancer and was being carried through the competition week after week by her partner, Will. And then came the whole “I hid my rib injury to stay in the competition” debacle, and the hater brigade seemed to double, which brought back another polarizing female contestant that season: Comfort. I felt bad for her, the way some people were laying into her on the Fox message boards – “She doesn’t deserve to be there!” “She sucks!” Granted, she was nowhere near as strong as, say, Katee or Courtney, but I think she still deserved to be there and caught a lot of unecessary flack for being brought back after being voted off.
Interesting! I pretty much remember all of these dancers being controversial too (some are a little fuzzy in my mind), but several on this list actually make my list of all-time favorites. I loved Danny, and it made me sad that so many people perceived him as “arrogant.” I thought he knew he was a good dancer, but it never crossed that uncomfortable line from well-deserved confidence to arrogance, for me. I also loved Legacy this season. But the big one for me was Will. Will may be my favorite dancer in SYTYCD history (followed closely by Neil Haskell – not as technically awesome, but wonderful to watch). I thought every move Will made was beautiful. I never have understood why the audience didn’t “connect” with him.
For me, I’d definitely take those three guys off and replace them with other dancers. I’d definitely replace Legacy with Ashleigh DiLillo (I made it past “loathing,” but never got beyond “dislike” for her on my ick-scale). I’d trade Will for Kherington Payne – she was a good dancer, but always struck me as much, MUCH more arrogant than her fellow contestant Will, and not nearly as good as he was. Finally, I’d replace Danny with Asuka Kondoh… just YUCK. Everything about her got under my skin.
I REALLY like this topic… not becaus I disliked these people… i just think the results aree interesting…. I never disliked Danny, but Blake did rub me the wrong way when he dissed Dan Karaty. As far as Jakob Karr goes, I dont feel like pretending to be surprised everytime someone says you have great technique is humbling. I actually started to dislike him because it seemed fake. Also… I dunno anyone wh shouldve outlasted Ivan on Season 2 that didnt. My least Favs were Phillip S6, Jeanine & Kupono S5, Mark S4, Neil S3, Ryan & Ben S2, Blake S1
Man, it’s like a little walk down memory lane when you start listing the past dancers. It’s a lot of fun.
Courtney,
You are spot on on so many levels. I forgot about Comfort. You are soooo right. Nice addition.
Robin,
Ashleigh would have made the list for sure, but she somehow turned all these haters into lovers. It was unbelievable to watch. Never happened before on SYTYCD that I can recall.
Chappell,
Glad you like the topic. We try to keep it interesting as we wait for another season. I’ve got a number of other lists that should be interesting as well.
If someone wants to create their own list, feel free to send it to me on the Contact Us page: https://puresytycd.com/contact-us/ and I’ll be happy to post it.
I would put Ashleigh and Ryan on instead of Legacy and Kayla. While Kayla was bland, I didn’t dislike her as much as Ashleigh or Ryan.
O was looking at the list and Agreeing 100% until I saw Legacy and Kayla on the list………what?!???!!! are u people crazy? Jakob should be on it! He started to bother me. Legacy should have been in his place in the top 6…. Jakob didn’t grow he just remain good.
Glory,
I know what you’re talking about. My heart just turned inside me when I added Kayla to the list. It was hard for me to admit that some people didn’t like her. I’m sure many would feel the same way about Jakob despite you saying you didn’t like him.
Honestly, I think that’s one reason that SYTYCD is so interesting.
actually let me rephrase that…….i liked Jakob but he still didn’t grow like the others…the only reason i am glad he didn’t win cause its alway a Contemporary dancer that wins. it was time for a change! I love Russell and he so deserved to win but he has lots of bragging rights lol( first krumper to go to vegas and to make top 20…..and win)
I think Evan polarized a lot of the fan base. He had a huge following but I know that there were a lot of people out there that were infuriated that he kept staying week after week and was never in the bottom. Especially after he beat out Ade for the finale spot.
my heart cried when I saw Kayla on the list. But I think because her personality didn’t come through as strong as say…..Jeanine’s did….people were turned away. Personality counts just as much (if not a little bit more) than dance/technical ability. Which unfortunately, sends some of the best dancers home too early…(Allison)
After the addiction dance Kayla suddenly became wonderful to me. It so humanized her.
Comfort should be on the list for sure – way before she was voted back on.
And yeah – Ashleigh bugged
I love this post! I would totally agree with your pics except for Legacy and Ivan. I would prob swap Legacy for Cedric and Ivan for Comfort, I didn’t like them a whole lot. Does anyone remember Snow from S1? She was a russian ballroom dancer and had the WORST personality of any female contestant ever.
Kayla,
If it’s any consolation, you (Kayla) will be on my list of favorite commenters on Pure SYTYCD. It hurt me as much as you to add Kayla to the list.
Evan is a good point as well. Man there’s a lot of dancers that were disliked…lol
Ok, now time to work on some other lists. I’ve got some interesting ones in store. Although this one will be hard to beat.
aw thanks John! 🙂
And another note on Kayla – what may not have come out during her interviews and such – came out 1000 x more in her dancing.
Rachel, I had totally forgotten about Snow! She did come across as very cold and at times even conceited. Unfortunately I think a lot of the Russians on the show fall into that trap – culturally, they’re not as used to being open & outgoing as some of the American contestants, and it can come across as being arrogant or unfriendly. I used to get the same vibe from Stanislav in season 2, Faina in season 3, Maksim in season 5, and even Dmitry at times. The only exceptions I can think of are Pasha & Anya from season 3 – Pasha was especially likeable and always seemed to be smiling!
But one last interesting tidbit about Snow: she was chosen to compete for a spot as a pro during the Spring 2009 season of DWTS, and was voted out by America the first week. So apparently we’re not the only ones who didn’t particularly like her – then again, it could be because she (accidentally?) whacked Genya Mazo in the nose during their rumba, lol.
I SO agree with you on Kayla. But she is also my favourite SYTYCD contestant too. 🙂 I LOVE HER!
Well Lacey is one of our houses favorite dancers ever, so I guess we don’t follow some other peoples logic LOL
I thought Kayla was one of the most beautiful dancers on SYTYCD ever, I get maybe her personality didnt come out but I don’t know if thats enough to dislike her for it..
Well I love love love Kayla.
I’m in the KKK club. (it’s a positive one)
Katee
Kayla
Katheryn
Speaking of Kayla, she has a lot of things going on.
From her twitter account:
At dinner with @tuckerbarkley!!!! Had an amazing day at Glee rehearsal yesterday!!!!! I’m so excited!
about 4 hours ago
On my way to the airport! Everyone please watch JLO on Dick Clarks Rockin New Year!!! I get to perform with her again, I cannot believe it!
7:00 AM Dec 27th, 2009
Dennis,
I’m not sure how I feel about saying it, but I like the KKK club too.
There’s a lot going on with past dancers on SYTYCD. Seems about time for another Twitter round up. I just need more time in the day.
I agree with a lot of these, except Danny and Ivan. I remember HATING Danny the first few weeks of the top 20, but then he suddenly started having fun in his dances and showing off his personality, and now he’s one of my top 5 favorite guys ever.
I completely do NOT understand how Ivan could be on that list. For me, he grew the most out of any untrained dancer on the show ever. He’s also my favorite guy, and second-favorite dancer after Allison Holker, ever to be on the show. His contemporary with Allison made my cry, and it was the first time that a dance on the show touched me emotionally. I really think that of it weren’t for that dance, I would not be as big of a fan of the show as I am now.
lol….some of my favourite dancers are on that list.
When I read ‘Most Disliked Contestants Ever’ I was picturing more along the lines of Suzie, Cedric, Tony, etc…..
I don’t think Will’s description is entirely correct. He was good and he knew it, BUT he still remained humble thoughout the season (as did all of S4’s kids). The reason why people didn’t warm up to him was mainly due to the judged constant pimping on him and bashing on his partner Jessica.
wow i’m late to the party! what an interesting thread, i’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s responses.
i’ll agree about blake from S1. he’s an interesting case because i never saw him as cocky in his partner dances, if anything i thought he was totally present to his partners (check out his pieces with destini). however, outside of his duets, i just couldn’t get my brain around how cocky he was!
i agree about snow, too! from her costumes to her comments, she just never appealed to me.
i’d have to disagree about danny. he was an incredible dancer, but painfully shy. he even said that in his finale interview with cat. i think his being shy made him come off as aloof and “above” everyone.
for season 3, i’m not sure if there was anyone i “disliked”. while i wasn’t sad to see faina or cedric go home (the 1st 2 who left, i don’t remember their names) at least cedric was able to match up with the debbie allen dance academy. it’s cool to hear about him getting his shot.
i LOVED will from season 4! i agree with @moviebuff, poor jessica got a lot of flack from the judges about being “carried” by will, but they had some really memorable dances (silence won the emmy!) i think will was bitten by his own talent, much like allison from season 2. the “growth” factor is huge, and will was just so crazy talented.
somebody mentioned the “russian” thing. I could see that from faina, stanislav, but definitely not from max from S5. he didn’t get enough time to show america what he could do. i was really looking forward to see him do contemporary, especially with kayla (i thought they had great chemistry). i wasn’t sad to see tony go home.
i think the jakob idea is interesting. while, personally, i loved him, i can see where he might fit in the danny and will category. sooo talented, he didn’t seem to grow. but i think what endeared him to voters was his relationship with ashleigh. when i first heard the partners and i heard “jakob and ashleigh” i was really nervous for him because i thought she might ride on his coattails (a la will and jessica). but once people saw ashleigh staying right with jakob, it became a lot easier to like him because it wasn’t “all about him.”
Margaret,
Please don’t let school get in the way of your priorities anymore;-) Nice comments.
John,
hahahahaha 🙂
I wish i could say it was school getting in the way, but a more accurate reason would be how much college football i’ve been watching 😉 and just when i thought i was off the hook because the bowl season is ending, my pro team (the ravens) made the playoffs so i guess more football is on the menu. thanks for posting the SYTYCD UK links, it’s a great break from school and football! I’m really looking forward to watching it (when I have free time). I’m taking 19 credits this quarter (with 21 books!) school is overrated, i’d much rather blog about SYTYCD.
🙂
Sounds good. I’ll be cheering against the Ravens this weekend then too.
hahah i’m rooting FOR the ravens!! i just wasn’t expecting them to make the playoffs!!
Yes, I understood that. However, that’s why I’m rooting against the Ravens. So, you have more free time for other things;-)
as much as I personally loved Kupono Aweau, I think he was one of the most hated dancers as well. He was saved by his many well-choreographed routines, his unique good looks, and his musicality, but his lack of strength and technique and his reputation as a copycat of Mark Kanemura made a lot of people dislike him.
@Jenna you make a very good point. whereas mark came off as being original and quirky, he was also a strong dancer/partner and adapted to styles very well. he was able to go from doing hip hop with comfort to foxtrot with chelsie. his personality can probably be pointed to as the biggest reason why he stayed over will wingfield.
with pono, he was the only one to come out of an otherwise dismal audition swing to seattle. he and ashley started off so strong with their wade robson routine, and got hip hop the next week which kind of doomed them. i actually really enjoyed his partnership with kayla, they’re a strange pairing but something clicked. “addiction” kept him around. there were definitely some times when i found him over-the-top and obnoxious, but I did enjoy watching him dance. he was actually one of my favorites on tour, too, very funny and performed his 2 pieces, the vampire dance and addiction, beautifully.
hm… maybe there should be a “dancers that were robbed” thread. Or “ousted too early” (before top 10 maybe) i.e. S3 Jesus, Jessi
Dancers that were robbed would be a good one! I’ll put my vote in for Anya
Christine and Rachel,
It’s funny you mention it, because I’ve already started a post around that concept. I’m just pacing myself. We have many long months of Winter still to come. At least we have SYTYCD UK to help out.
I love Danny…. he´s the best. Danny is an extremely affectionate with the partners and educated guy with the juries. Some juries did not deserve this education, therefore they had passed an image of the Danny as being an arrogant and empty youngster on the inside. Danny is affectionate and charismatic. Danny was boycotted since the beginning. Danny is also my favorite guy. Dominic should be at the top of the list, I hate this guy Dominic (he is a people loathing urgh!!!) and second disliked dancer is Sabra (she´s a “paraguayan dwarfed”… she´s very ugly). What Cedric dances? Not taste of this guy.
ohmygod Lacey was everything to me, literally. i worshipped her in season3 but all of you are right, she got plentymore haters when she got on DWTS. i want to feel bad, but my love for her decreased as well when she made it onto the show.
however, I would like to disagree with Rachel.
imo, personality does not mean bubbly, ultra energetic and happy go lucky. i don’t know why, but i happened to really like Snow’s persona on stage. yes i’m pretty weird lol
and i actually got the great honour to meet a couple of season1 contestants when they came to my country for a little dance event and Snow was one of them. she is the nicest, most down to earth person you’d ever meet, seriously. very different from her icy persona when on stage.
Late to the game here. Wandered here as I’m sytycd jones-ing between the end of the Aussies and the start of 7. Great site.
I like Blake overall, but after re-watching some of season 1 during this purgatory, I can’t help but think he was some kind of dramatic plant set up to add spice to the reality-show aspect of the brand new reality show that was sytycd.
And let me echo many here: I loved almost everyone on that “most hated” list. This gal *loved* Kayla, legs and all; and fell in love with Lacey in that Mia Michels dance with Kameron. Even though Paris wasn’t on long enough for many to get attached, I was sad to see her leave.
Danny (oh, sigh), it doesn’t surprise me at all that this was all misread shyness.
The only one I was relieved to see leave (yet in no way hating) was Mollee. They made such a big deal about her being the “baby” when the top ten girls were FULL of young incredible dancers. There were two other 18-year-old girls, and two amazing dancers only a year older (Ellenore and Kathryn).
Welcome Nancy. Glad you found the site. We’ll really get cranking once the season starts again. So, look forward to that.
I loved (and still love) Kayla. In particular her legs;-) which is something since I’m not usually a leg kind of guy.
Rose,
I’m guessing you don’t have very good taste in dancers!
Dominic didn’t hate people, and post SYTYCD he found WAY more success on another show, and lots more fans! He’s one of the most popular on his crew, which won ABDC Season 3. And Sabra? She was amazing, that’s why she won her season.
Notice that three of the best (and most disliked) dancers of SYTYCD history were black males. Coincidence? I didn’t read Danny’s shyness as arrogance at all. And Will? Will was quiet and never made a wrong step. I think Brandon was confident, and it showed. But arrogant, not so much. Methinks the voting public (made up of white middle class tween girls like American Idol) has a problem distinguishing talent from small-time-crush material.
Hmm, I can see where you might get the idea of racism, Katie, and yet a few of the most beloved dancers are Joshua and Twitch. Russell won last time, and Brandon (despite a lot of the crankiness on line–and from Mia), was in the top 4.
I think Will and Danny suffered from being so amazing at and focused on their craft that they didn’t know how to reach out to the viewers (gods, with talent like that, why should they have to waste time learning how to make fickle viewers happy about themselves??) Then again, it is America’s *favorite*, not *best*, no matter how much *I* may want to see the best rewarded.