So You Think You Can Dance - LA & Chicago

More auditions tonight.  Truthfully, the auditions are not my favorite part of any reality competition, but you do get to know some of the contestants that will either be soon forgotten or become some of the favorites of the season.


Up first cheerleader Laura Froderman.  Honestly I wasn't sure where this was going to go.  A cheerleader with a "sexy" dance...I was expecting mediocrity.  But, holy cow is she flexible!  And she can dance too.  Take those splits and head straight to Vegas!  For the next stage of the competition, not to be a showgirl. :)


Oh my goodness, up now is a William Hung look a like...Hella Hung (aka Hung Van Lam).  There are many times I feel sorry for Cat Deeley having to interview the weirdos.  This time, she should have pressed charges, or at least called security!  He proceeded to attempt break dancing to Jackson 5.  All the judges could say was "WOW" as he made love to the microphone.


From rhythmic gymnastics to dancing in 2 weeks or less...let's see what happens.  After missing the Olympic team due to stress fractures, Rachel Girma takes on SYTYCD and brings a fresh perspective.


You can't have an audition show without some tough stories.  Taylor Costello is adopted and always hoped to meet her birth mother some day, but unfortunately her mother was killed when she was 11.  Taylor learned that her mother loves dancing and has embraced it to keep the connection to her mom.  Taylor still has some growing to do before she's ready for Vegas.  


Our first tap dancer.  Melinda Sullivan attempts to wow us with her tap.  There's a little too many attempts at artistry & breaks and not enough tap for my liking, but I'm not expert, nor could I do what she just did.  Off to choreography to see if she can make it through.  Truthfully, there were many tappers that were far better last year.


A chance meeting with Mia Michaels, inspired Ryan Ramirez to stick with dancing despite financial hard times for her family and losing their home.  Sometimes I feel like the contestants who have worked with the SYTYCD judges/choreographers before their audition have a bit of preferential treatment, but they're always good.  Maybe I'm just jealous. :)


Both Melinda & Ryan made it to Vegas after the choreography round.


Now we're off to Chicago!


Love that the gas station in the "village" of Wapakoneta wished Kent Boyd good luck on his SYTYCD auditions!  He hasn't even made the show yet.  Where does a small town boy learn to dance like that?  Incredible!  Ticket to Vegas?  Yes Please.  Things we learn...Neil Armstrong is from Wapakoneta.  This kid is charming!  Kent is off to choreography to put some personality into his dance.


Another tough story.  Twins Andrew & Tyler Phillips.  Tyler was born with Spina Bifida.  Andrew dances for the both of them, taking inspiration from his brothers positive outlook. Andrew still has growing to do, both in his body and technique, but the judges want to see more and send him on to choreography.  


Oh Lord...that hair!  Malinda Jacobson is here to show us the art of Kick-Hop, the combination of hip hop, break dancing, line dancing, & square dancing.  She's quite good at it!  Entertaining...yes, but not right for SYTYCD.  Obviously.  


At the choreography round, charming personality Kent made it to Vegas.  Andrew Phillips surprised the judges and send him to Vegas as well!  More to come from these two boys.


If Beethoven can compose without hearing, Jarrell Robinson can dance without hearing.  I think there was another dancer with very limited hearing (technically deaf) that auditioned last year.  It's always amazing to see people overcome their challenges and succeed.  While Jarrell is not ready for the competition, he has inspired the rest of us to push beyond our limitations.


I am always surprised at the number of strong men who audition for SYTYCD.  The ones that are strong, graceful, and not afraid to be a manly man who dances.  


More tomorrow night as auditions continue.