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Many SYTYCD Dancers in Sugar and Bruno Video

Thanks to Vogue over on Pure DWTS, I came across this really great Sugar and Bruno video that contains a whole slew of SYTYCD dancers. I guess I should have known that dancers make for great models. Chelsie, Kathryn and Mollee are a few of my favorites in the video. Plus, how amazing does Stacey look? She’s defying time.

January 25, 2013 I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

Mollee Gray Music Video – You Don’t Know Anything

I have to admit that I haven’t kept up on a lot of the past dancers as well as many, but tonight on Twitter I saw that Mollee Gray released a new music video with Mollee singing (and a little dancing). It’s called “You Don’t Know Anything” I did a search for it on iTunes and couldn’t find it, but I do have the music video which I’ll embed below:

I liked the song and the video was pretty well done. Shauna Noland was also in the music video, but was the only SYTYCD alumni that I could find in the list of dancers. I especially like the last sequence of the video where Mollee joins the dancers. It had some really intereing choreography.

To be honest, I didn’t know that Mollee had started a singing career. Turns out Lacey Schwimmer was singing in Las Vegas this weekend as well. I wonder how many other past SYTYCD dancers are singing as well. We should make a list.

August 7, 2011 I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

Season 8 All-Stars?

I saw this over at SYTYCDism and they’re very careful to caution that this may be a prank or something else OTHER than a photo shoot for the Season 8 All-stars. It does seem a bit lop-sided to be a true group of All-Stars. But, if nothing else, it’s a great photo. Also, if nothing else, here’s proof that Sabra still exists somewhere in the world! She looks great.

Hey, here’s an idea. I think the All-Star positions should be open to International SYTYCD dancers. Canada was just so good this past season and I miss Australia, so it’d be good to see them on the US stage. I’m all for cross-referencing my SYTYCD.

What do y’all think?

Benji Schwimmer (S2), Sabra Johnson (S3), Caitlin Kinney (S5), Mollee Gray (S6), Evan Kasprzak (S5), Randi Evans (S5), Ellenore Scott (S6), Legacy Perez (S6), Brandon Bryant (S5) and Kupono Aweau.

October 25, 2010 I Written By

Drop Dead Diva Dances!

Judge Paula Abdul on Drop Dead Diva. That woman has legs! Check out SYTYCD’s Mollee Gray and Will Wingfield, too. And…Margaret Cho? I guess this would make more sense if I watched the show. Anybody catch any other familiar faces?

June 7, 2010 I Written By

Emilie’s Top Routines From Season 6

This was hard! There were a lot of routines that were equally good in my mind, so I had to work hard to limit myself to a Top 10. I gave myself 5 extra routines for group numbers that rocked – we had a lot of amazing group work this season, especially when you factor in the Meet the Top 20 episode. I did not consider “fairness” or equal distribution here. So I think you’ll see a lot of the same dancers, which didn’t surprise me, personally.

Paired Routines

1. “Machine Gun” Ellenore/Legacy Travis Wall

2. “Tore My Heart” Ellenore/Jakob Sonya Tayeh

3. “At This Moment” Kathryn/Jakob Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden

4. “Little Green Bag” Pauline/Peter Wade & Amanda Robson

5. “Your Ex-Lover Is Dead” Ellenore/Ryan Travis Wall

6. “2 Steps Away” Kathryn/Legacy Stacey Tookey

7. “Frog Dance” Noelle/Russell Sean Cheesman

8. “Put Your Hands on Me” Kathryn/Ryan Jason Gilkison

9. “Violentango” Ellenore/Ryan Miriam and Leonardo

10. “Put Your Hands On me” Kathryn/Ryan Jason Gilkison

Honorable Mentions (alllllmooooosssst): Kathryn/Legacy’s paso doble, Noelle/Russell’s “A Case of You” contemporary, Noelle/Ryan “Give It To Me Right” hip hop, Mollee/Jakob’s “Ordinary Day” waltz, Ellenore/Jakob “Gotcha” Broadway, Ashleigh/Jakob “Whatcha Say” hip hop, Ariana/Peter’s “Black and Gold” hip hop, Bianca/Victor’s “Wasted Time” contemporary, Ellenore/Russell paso doble, Kathryn/Russell hip hop (both finale).

Group Routines

1. Top 20 “Comanche” Wade & Amanda Robson

2. Top 12 “What’s a Girl to Do” Nappytabs

3. Top 14 “Aha!” Wade & Amanda Robson

4. Top 16 “Warrior” Dave Scott

5. Ariana, Channing, Jakob and Nathan “Cryin'” contemporary Tyce Diorio

These were my standouts, the routines I’d expect on a tour (with the exception of those who didn’t make the Top 10). What were yours?

December 22, 2009 I Written By

The Rest of the Russell Ferguson Story

I’m sure that people won’t like me talking about this, but when has this ever stopped me before? First, I should make it clear that when I write posts like this I’m mostly disappointed with the producers of SYTYCD and not Russell. However, one of the problems with writing a blog and being so involved in a show like SYTYCD is that you find out all the background story that the producers have chosen not to tell you. A part of me LOVES to know “the rest of the story” and the other part of me feels betrayed by the producers of the show. Either way, it is what it is and I still LOVE watching the dancers on SYTYCD. I think this is likely to never change.

With that preface, I was disappointed to read about all the formal dance training that Russell Ferguson had before going on SYTYCD. Here’s a short section of an interview Russell did with People.com where he talks about the dance training he had before the show:

You’ve often been referred to as a “street dance” diamond in the ruff but you’ve had some dance education, right?
I’ve been doing hip-hop all my life. So, I figured if I was going to take on any big dance projects later in life, I would have to learn other things to be well-rounded in the dance field. I did four years at Boston Arts and I did a good year at The University of the Arts, so I got a good amount of training in.

The judges portrayal of you as this unpolished stone. Was that accurate?
They know I had some form of training. But the thing is, a lot of people that do train, like that is what they do, that is their dance style, that’s their lifestyle. And me, I really did just come from the streets.

5 years of formal training? That’s a little more than just coming from the street. As I think back on some of the comments the judges made about Russell, you can tell that they knew about this information and were trying to maintain the persona that Russell was a “street dancer” without outright lieing. For example, I remember Nigel saying something like, “You’re basically an untrained dancer.” Then, he went on to compare him to Legacy when Nigel said, “You’re like Legacy, but you point your toes.” The interesting part is that I think Legacy actually is an untrained dancer. Russell is not.

Of course, when Russell won I think we all realized where he’d come from was the street. I absolutely adore that he won the show. I also loved how raw and real his reaction was when he won. I know some people didn’t like it too much, but to me it was beautiful. I’m not sure why he took his shirt off, but he was living in a moment that he probably thought he’d never experience. I don’t know all his background, but I bet Russell really does have a story to tell about where he came from and how he made it to an arts college and now as winner of SYTYCD. You could see the story in his face and in the face of his family.

This won’t be the first or the last time the producers don’t tell the whole story about dancers. I remember the outrage about this short post I did about Twitch dancing in Hairspray. No one had an issue that Twitch was in Hairspray. It was that the show acted like he hadn’t done anything like it before. To be honest, I’m amazed that the producers told us that Mollee was the principal dancer on all 3 High School Musicals. I guess they probably figured most people would find that one out anyway.

I don’t think any of this diminishes the quality of the dancing and the entertainment value that their dancing brings to me when I watch the show. All of that is amazing and it’s great that Russell can go out and do a Krump routine and follow it up with some ballroom. Is it just too much for me to wish that the producers didn’t produce the show so much. Probably.

December 18, 2009 I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

SYTYCD Top 6 Results Music (Finale Part II)

Many, everybody’s been killing me with anticipation today on Twitter, so I have HIGH EXPECTATIONS for tonight’s show, including the music.

Opening song, layered over the Top 6 talking: “Sweet Disposition” The Temper Trap - Conditions - Sweet Disposition-The Temper Trap (thanks Blair!)

Kelly Abby Top 19 Group Routine: “Scared of Me” Fredde le Grand - Scared of Me (feat. Mitch Crown) - EP - Scared of Me (Radio Edit)-Fredde Le Grand ft. Mitch Crown

SPOILERS from here on out.

Lil C’s favorite with Russell, Legacy and Kevin: “Beggin'” Madcon - Beggin' - Single - Beggin'-Madcon

Adam’s favorite with Ellenore and Jakob: “Tore My Heart” Oona - Tore My Heart - Single - Tore My Heart-OONA and Dave Tweedie

Nigel’s favorite with Peter, Bianca and Phillip: “Take the A Train” Ella Fitzgerald - Pure Ella - Take the "A" Train-Ella Fitzgerald

Mary’s request for new routine that the DiLillos danced and choreographed themselves: “Straight To…Number 1” Touch & Go - I Find You Very Attractive - Straight To... Number One-Touch & Go

Leona Lewis performs the theme from Avatar (who apparently sponsored tonight): “I See You” Leona Lewis - Avatar (Music from the Motion Picture) - I See You (Theme from Avatar)

The Groovaloos perform to “Groovaloo Street” by Rapier & Burns (not yet on iTunes)

Nigel’s favorite with Kathryn & Jakob: “At This Moment” Michael Bublé - Crazy Love (Deluxe Edition) - At This Moment-Michael Buble

Tyce’s favorite with Mollee & Nathan: “Azeem O Shaan” A. R. Rahman - Jodhaa Akbar - Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah -AR Rahman from Jodhaa Akbar

Ryan is #6 to “Where It Ends” 16 Frames - Where It Ends - Where It Ends-16 Frames

Adam Lambert performs “Whataya Want From Me” Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment - Whataya Want from Me

Season 6 highlights recap to “Guardian Angel” The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Don't You Fake It - Your Guardian Angel by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Ashleigh is #5 to “Never Say Never” The Fray - The Fray - Never Say Never-The Fray

Adam’s favorite with Ellenore & Legacy: “Machine Gun” Portishead - Third - Machine Gun-Portishead

Debbie’s favorite with Noelle & Russell (tape): “Frog Dance Mickey Hart - Supralingua - Frog Dance-Mickey Hart

Ellenore is #4 to “Breathe” Ryan Star - Breathe - Single - Breathe-Ryan Star

Lil C’s favorite with Ariana, Channing, Nathan and Jakob: “Cryin'” k.d. lang - Live by Request - Crying-kd lang

Mary’s favorite with Kathryn & Russell (tape): “I Can Transform Ya” Chris Brown - I Can Transform Ya (feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz) - Single - I Can Transform Ya (feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz)-Chris Brown

Mary J. Blige performs “I Am” Mary J. Blige - I Am - Single - I Am

Nigel’s favorite – the Top 20 group routine: “Comanche” The Revels - Pulp Fiction (Music from the Motion Picture) - Comanche-The Revels

Kathryn (NO!!) is #3 to “Something Beautiful” Needtobreathe - The Outsiders (Deluxe Version) - Something Beautiful-Needtobreathe

Jennifer Lopez performs (with SYTYCD girls from Season 6 and seasons past!) Louboutins (not on iTunes yet)

The recap of Russell and Jakob’s journeys was played to “Time of Our Lives” Paul van Dyk - Reflections - Time of Our Lives -Paul van Dyk (thanks again, Sokko!)


We had such amazing music on the show this season! Check it all out here.

December 16, 2009 I Written By

SYTYCD Top 6 Power Rankings

I just don’t know, y’all. Part of me thinks this is a slam dunk for Jakob (John already proclaimed him the SYTYCD season 6 winner back on the 8th). But part of me thinks Kathryn or Ellenore might still win it. Wishful thinking? Let’s see…

Read more..

December 15, 2009 I Written By

Mollee and Legacy on Ellen

Hi all! I’m Tabitha and you can usually find me over at Pure Dancing With the Stars  but I have recently become a SYTYCD addict as well. I watch Ellen everyday (thanks to the magic of DVR) and each week I enjoy seeing the voted off dancers from SYTYCD performing on Ellen. So I talked to John about the idea and here I am. 🙂 For now enjoy Mollee and Legacy and I’ll try to get the others up soon!

I Written By

Season 6 – Season of the Flip Flop?

I’d like to share a bit of yet another conversation between me and John and see what y’all think.

Emilie: and this season, i’ve felt like a flip flopper.John: you are a flip flopperalthough, i think a lot of people have flip flopped this seasonEmilie: i haven’t flip flopped THAT much this seasoni liked my favorites pretty early the only ones i flip flopped on were ashleigh, legacy and mollee oh, i flip flopped on karen, too.

Yes, I’m aware that I flip flopped on whether or not I was a flip flopper. 🙂 So, let me be honest with myself and with all of you.

-I liked Mollee and then didn’t. And then did again after she got to the Top 10 and switched partners.

-I liked Karen and didn’t like Ashleigh. And then I liked Ashleigh better and Karen a lot less. And then Karen left and Ashleigh peaked (in my opinion) and I was ready for her to go again.

-I didn’t like Legacy, but then I was impressed by him in a lot of his routines with Kathryn. And then less impressed (or at least less reliably so) when he switched partners.

But it’s not just SYTYCD dancers I flip flopped over this fall season. I disliked most of Louis van Amstel’s work on SYTYCD, but out of curiosity (and John’s peer pressure), I started watching Dancing with the Stars sporadically. Louis’s partnership with Kelly Osbourne on there made me fall for him and his work. I’m excited to see more of it on SYTYCD in the future. Will that happen?

However, I also had a few solid passions this season. Peter. Sigh. Really wish he could be on the tour. Maybe the tappers could be “special guests,” eh Nigel? Loved Ellenore since Vegas and love her more today. Grew to love Noelle and Kathryn quickly into the Top 20. While I admire Jakob and I’ll be satisfied if (if? ha!) he’s the winner, I’m much more passionate about the girls this season, especially Kathryn and Ellenore.

Did anybody else feel like a flip flopper this season? Who made you flip flop? Any of the dancers have your love from day one?

December 14, 2009 I Written By