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Private Notes
Our journey starts in Perth where judges Bonnie, Matt and Jason are ready to whittle down the thousands of hopefuls. Contestants have ninety seconds to impress, with three possible outcomes. The best will be given a ticket to Sydney as part of the Top 100. Some will be asked to perform Matt's group choreography, with a select few scoring a ticket. But most will simply be sent home.
Talent appeared thin on the ground before ballroom dancing couple Jemma, 18, and Brendan, 35. Despite the fact the pair have only been dancing together for one week, the judges found the pair to be engaging and fabulous. Both were awarded a ticket to Sydney.
Versatile dancer Lamb entertained with her confident routine, while 'Closer' by Nine Inch Nails destabilised Kelly's chances of showing she could do more than bust out a few sexy moves. The extremely thin Angel's mission to prove that models CAN dance ended up backfiring on her.
A ticket was in order for Stephanie, who performed a gorgeous routine to Desiree's 'Kissing You'. The panel described her as a beautiful girl with strong presence, who danced with feeling. Bonnie was left stunned after Sermsah's assured modern indigenous choreography, stating she'd never seen anything like it before. An equally moved Jason added that his routine touched him, and his inclusion in the Top 100 would bring diversity to the competition.
From Perth to Bris-Vegas! Two thirds of the auditionees here were women, while all of them thought they could dance, the opposite was proving to be true. That was until Camilla took to the floor. In a word? According to Matt: HOT. The judges praised this 24-year-old dancing teacher for her natural, honest dancing style, and the fact her stamina wasn't 100% didn't stop her from scoring that all-important blue ticket.
Can you pop, lock, strobe or tut? The 365 Crew sure could, but only one of these b-boys was getting straight through, Clint. The other two would have ace Matt's choreography to earn their
The location may have changed but the rules stay the same – ninety seconds on the floor, with the outcome being a. that all-important ticket to Sydney as part of the Top 100 b. an invitation to dance Matt's group choreography (dancers call this 'corry') later in the day as a further test or c. a flat-out no.
First cab off the rank is 19-year-old David, dancing despite his parent's wish he was studying, not stepping out on the floor! He had some white-hot power moves that saw him flying through the air with the greatest of ease - and straight through to the evening's corry. We hope David's parents will be thrilled to learn his efforts there scored him a ticket to Sydney!
It's hard to believe the spunky blonde explosion of curls that is 23-year-old Courtney almost didn't audition at all. As she explained to the judges, she hasn't had technical training, but she conquered her fears and decided to try out anyway. Lucky for us she did – the judges had no qualms in offering Courtney a place in the Top 100!
Despite being partly blind and deaf, Drumstick impressed our trio with his fluid b-boy moves and after acing the corry, he scored himself a ticket to Sydney.
Jason liked Rhys' big start and big end to the confident 25-year-old's routine (set to the very cool sounds of Aussie electro-disco kings, The Presets) and invited him to corry. This charismatic dancer had the skills to pay the bills, and made it to the Top 100.
The likeable Sorono family was out in force at the auditions, with energetic siblings Demi, Lorraine and Carlo all competing, as well as Demi's girlfriend Nikki. The judges commended Lorraine on that fact that despite the fact she is deaf, she was able to dance on the beat, but it wasn't enough to take her through. A playful Carlo had more luck scoring a ticket, with Demi and Nikki both having to prove their worth at corry. The pint-sized Demi made the grade, but unfortunately a disappointed Nikki didn't get through.
Day two started we
The audition process is about to come to a close, and where better than the sparkly, sultry city of Sydney. After all, this is the place talented dancers come to follow their dreams... And that means Sydney will present the toughest competition yet!
The first contestant showcased is 18-year-old Hilton. Hilton's parents sacrificed their own careers to clean his dance school to pay for his lessons. The quietly confident dancer has trained in Ballet, Acro, Hip Hop and Contemporary – and it shows. His assured take on New School Hip Hop is named captivating and humorous by Bonnie, and he's given a ticket to the Top 100.
Next up is Hilton's girlfriend, Jessie. This shy, Brisbane-born dancer was feeling the pressure and Bonnie felt she laid back on her routine a little, while Matt commented he thought her choreography (corry) was wishy washy. Despite this, she was invited back to the afternoon's corry session, and eventually earned a place in the Top 100.
Jason was awestruck by 23-year-old Pilates instructor, Vanessa. Her heart-breakingly beautiful routine was a breath of fresh air for our judges, and she was instantly offered a ticket to stay in Sydney.
Tickets were flying thick and fast, with dancers Rhiannon and Marko both getting through – the latter inspiring a stoked Matt to grin, “This is why I got excited to come to Sydney!”
When ballroom couple Stephanie and Henry finished burning up the d-floor, Jason commented that this hot pair reversed the competition's trend – girls outdancing boys. Henry received a Top 100 ticket, but the feisty Stephanie would have to dance for her life at corry. The determined tone in this experienced performer's voice meant she intended to get that ticket – and she did.
Kamikaze's powerful street style had Jason commenting this was a real man dancing like a real man, something he's a big fan of. Welcome to the Top 100 Kamikaze!
Confident, talented and outrageous: that's Khaly. Part-time body piercer, full-
Joining our three judges is renowned choreographer Kelley Abbey. The rules of the game are as follows: dancers begin by performing group choreography (corry), with the judges assessing dancers individually. Three yes' keeps a dancer in the comp, three nos sends them home. A split vote? Time to dance for your life to stay in the game.
On Day One, top Hip Hop/ Boogaloo choreographer Nacho Pop begins putting the dancers through their paces, teaching them a poppin' routine that would have Pharrell Williams himself struggling to keep up! Jaws dropped after rehearsals when five dancers were cut before even officially performing.
The Ballet-trained beauty Vanessa picked up the street smart moves fast enough to progress through to Day Two, as did cheeky body piercer Khaly. Security guard Chris (the real man who danced like a real man) split the judges, forcing him to dance for life, as did the emotionally charged Daniell. Chris made it though, but it was the end of the road for Daniell.
After Day One, a third of the Top 100 was sent home. Next stop: Ballroom.
Hilton and Chanel, Sermsah and Camilla, Kassie and Henry, Steph and Mack. Couples were quickly paired off to begin learning choreographer Jason Gilkinson's sexy, sensual, Latin routine. Ballroom novices were paired with experts, and only the strong would survive.
Melbourne choreographer JD aced the routine, getting four enthusiastic thumbs up from the judges, with Kelley enthusing about how fantastic it was to see a hip-hop performer applying himself to Ballroom – such is the spirit of the competition as a whole.
But for every contestant who made it through to Day Two, people being sent home left, right and centre. Gabriel's lime dress hid the performer inside and Chris couldn't cut it in Ballroom. But BJ wouldn't take no for an answer, successfully arguing for a chance to dance for his life. Lucky he spoke up: he made it through. The ridiculously lovable b-girl Demi also successfully danced for her
The first few performances had set the bar high, and the judges' comments had reminded our contestants they were looking for emotion and truth in their performances.
First on the floor was Kiwi Krumper Josh, with a bevy of babes including blonde bombshell Kassie. The judges had nothing but praise for the girls who all made it through, but while they found Josh witty and clever, they felt he played safe. It was end of Josh's journey.
Next up was a group including JD, whose namesake is the taxi driver who dropped him off at an orphanage in Manilla after his parents abandoned him when he was just four-years-old. He performed a heartfelt routine alongside Hilton, Jemma and Jack, all of whom made it through. Camilla has a jazz background, which made her feel less than comfortable with the Hip Hop routine the boys in her group had devised. Despite this, the feisty redhead made it through.
Next was a group featuring Sermsah, Rodolfo and Stephanie who along with their other group members discovered while working out a theme for their performance, that they had all lost someone close to them. There routine saw them dancing for those loved ones who have passed on, making the contemporary routine especially moving. Sermsah and Stephanie were through, but it was the end of the line for Rodolfo. After the group corry cuts were made, it was time to whittle 50 dancers down to the Top 20. Those who didn't make the cut were taking the bad news with grace and maturity, and the stakes were so high when indigenous dancer Sermsah took to his place before the judging panel.
The judges expressed their fears that this talented dancer wouldn't be able to handle the pressure of a high-stakes competition like Dance, but were their fears enough to eliminate him from the competition? No. Sermsah was through.The versatile Kassie was instructed she must give more of her natural warmth when performing, but she too made it through.
Sorono brother Carlo was told he was one of the most
And… action! The cameras start rolling and onto the stage strut twenty of the sexiest, spunkiest, sassiest performers Australia's ever seen. Reality TV just got freakin' cool. Aiight, pick your jaw up off the floor, ya'll. It's time to get busy.
Rhiannon and J. D. Hey, what's that silver splattered all over the floor? Oh it's the mercury from the thermometres that have just exploded. Yu-huh, Sydney's summer just got steamier, with this sizzling duo's street-smart Hip Hop routine. Matt told the couple they were so well-suited: Rhiannon the pint-sized hottie next to the cool, calm and collected J.D. while a blinged-up Bonnie said they were just fabulous. Jason commented their only problem was unison; Rhiannon danced slightly in the front of the beat, while the laidback JD danced at the back of the beat.
Courtney and Hilton. Their gorgeous Jazz Lyrical take on the oldest love story in the world Romeo + Juliet mythology had a heart-breaking ethereal feel as a result of being set to the masters of emotional alt-rock, Radiohead. Hilton mentioned in his blog that his partner was helping him express his emotions and it's clear to see what he meant. Matt commented that while Courtney was so likeable, he was very good at faking her technique while Hilton was a contender to win the competition. Bonnie said she felt the chemistry between the pair while Hilton made great use of the floor, and while she could see he was nervous with the lifts, he did them well. Bonnie said she was sure Courtney would go a long way. Jason said that while Hilton missed a lift, he got back on the horse, and that Lyrical suited him so well. He agreed with Matt and said Courtney did need to watch her feet.
Vanessa andHenry: What happens when a Ballet babe meets a Latin lover in the search of Salsa? Lots and lots and lots of turns. Who needs a rollercoaster when you've got a dude like Henry to take you on a journey of thrills and spills. And for someone who claimed in their blog they'd have
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! The SYTYCD stage is once again set for something resembling a sci-fi spectacular: the control room of a spaceship burning in brilliant orange and cloaked in dry ice. The futuristic feel is bang on for what you're about to witness – who will continue their journey in this, the future of dance.
Sunday night's show saw our Top 20 wrap the nation round their little finger with ten powerhouse performances, in styles ranging from bare-bones Boogaloo, to lovely Lyrical Contemporary, to sexy Salsa. Now, the votes have been tallied and the journey is about to end for two of our dancers.
But not before one seriously cool group performance, set to the strains of the Grammy award-winning 'Lovestoned' by Matt Lee's popstar lookalike, Justin Timberlake (it's all about the Trilby, y'all). This funky'40s-inspired jazz routine was choreographed by Kelley Abbey, and started the show with a bang the size of Texas. But the upbeat vibe was quickly replaced with the sobering reality of the evening's agenda…
The air was thick with nerves, pulses racing like wild horses. So let's get back down to the facts: the first safe couple was announced to a knife-edge audience as…J.D. and Rhiannon. And the first bottom three couple… Courtney and Hilton, with Camilla and Sermsah safe for the next week.
The second safe couple was soon after announced as (drum roll please) Kassy and Graeme, and Jemma and Rhys. The second bottom couple was announced as… Vanessa and Henry, with Stephanie and Marko safe for next week.
And which of these three couples – Laura and Anthony, Demi and Jack and Kate and Khaly? The third safe couple was announced as Kate and Khaly, making the other two couples safe. Now its time for these six individuals to show Australia why they were part of the Top 20 made it in the first place, and Dance For Their Lives!
Blink and you'll miss them. The first soloist was Courtney, burning up the stage but commenting she f
Jaws dropped and salty tears were shed when the lovable Courtney and Khaly had to bid farewell to the SYTYCD crew last week, and everyone realized that this was real: the pressure was on! It was time to pull out all the stops as the search continued for Australia's favourite dancer…
Kate and Hilton: Both dancers were at a disadvantage having only a week with each other as a partner, plus nursing bruised egos as a result of being in the bottom six. They had something to prove – and they proved it. Matt hit the nail on the head when he named the routine as elegant, sexy and slick. However Bonnie and Jason both warned Hilton he'd need to up his game to stay on par with the performance maturity displayed by Kate, and not to let Kate outshine him. Kate named Hilton as the light at the end of the tunnel of the Monday night eviction. Are these dancers your light? If so – vote!!
Camilla and Sermsah: With all the pent-up energy of prisoners on the run, Camilla and Sermsah burst onto the stage with a hardcore Hip Hop routine. Matt said the pair were on the floor with 150% energy but he didn't think the genre sat well with either of them. He said Sermsah's energy was too out of control and he was losing the steps. Bonnie said she hoped neither them were disappointed because they did a fantastic job and she could see Camilla creeping up there. Jason commented the pair needs to work on their unison, and to pull back their energy levels in order to produce consistency. If you wanna keep these dancers in the competition, you have to vote!!
Kassy and Graeme: This routine saw Kassy and Graeme dancing Lyrical Contemporary, a story which took us into the mind of Graeme as he remembered the best parts of a relationship with Kassy. Set to the Ray Charles version of The Beatles classic 'Yesterday', this nostalgic routine demanded some punishing floorwork from the spunky hotties. Matt commended the performers on the dangerous lifts, which had him on the edge of his seat. B
Is it just us, or are Monday nights taking a few years off our life every week? The crazy nerves, the intense anticipation… and then, the sadness of having to bid farewell to two talented favourites. This week it was Kassy and Hilton. Here's how it all went down.
Judge Matt Lee choreographed the free-wheeling tribal number which opened the show with all the punch of a wasabi-coated boxer's glove. As a blinged-up Bonnie commented, it appeared as if the 18 could have been a company that have been dancing together for years, so close is the bond between them all. But 18 would soon be 16.
The first three couples bought to the stage were our Samba sexies, Demi and Jack, our Hip Hop prisoners Camilla and Sermsah, and our Lyrical Contemporary lovelies, Kassy and Graeme. The heels and nails combo obviously worked for y'all out there cuz Demi and Jack were the first couple declared safe, plus they had the honour of picking up the night's most Breathtaking Moment, as voted by you guys here on this very site! The first bottom three couple was announced as Kassy and Graeme, meaning Sermsah and Camilla are back next week.
The next four couples onstage were Swing Hip Hoppers Stephanie and Marko, vampy Jazz duo Jemma and Rhys and Animated Hip Hoppers who performed "a dance from Mars", Vanessa and Henry. Lucky for these three dancers, all three will be dancing their hearts out for you next week!
So that meant there were still two gaping wholes in the bottom three, meaning out of foxy Foxtrotters Kate and Hilton, shimmering, sexy Disco divas Laura and Anthony and industrial Jazz vixens Rhiannon and J.D. there'd be two partnerships dancing for their lives… and that turned out to be Kate and Hilton, and Rhiannon and J.D.
Sassy spunkrat Kassy gave it her booty-shaking all to dancefloor fave Sir Mixalot's 'Baby Got Back' while partner Graeme showed us his slick urban style in a high-energy Contemporary routine. It was second time around for both Kate and Hilton. Kate
From Paso Doble to Krumping, from Soul Swing to Bollywood, if tonight's show was a box of chocolates, this would be something fresh off Willy Wonka's insane factory floor. With guest judge Mary Murphy fresh off her hot tamale train from the US to get excited our country's best dancers, the d-floor was set for hot hot heat of the very best kind.
Demi and Jack: Last week they sizzled in Samba, this week the cute couple stepped up the challenge of Indie Jazz. Could they keep raising the bar? Poured into tight black jeans, Demi and Jack quickly set about pulling out all the stops to the Artic Monkeys. The crowd loved it, but what about the judges? All four judges agreed that while Demi owned last week's routine, this week it was all about Jack. Overall it was still sexy and fun, but Demi needed more Jazz mojo in order to nail it. Do you wanna see these two in the Top 14? Vote now!
Vanessa and Henry: Dancing Contemporary Disco were last week's Animated Hip Hoppers, Vanessa and Henry. Mary said the routine, for her, was bizarre – and Jason agreed – there was no Disco in it. She said the assisted lifts were terrific, but overall she just seemed confused. Mary and Jason both named Henry as versatile, and a major contender in the competition. Matt commented that for the first week Vanessa looked relaxed, comfortable and seemed to enjoy it. Bonnie berated Henry for being late to rehearsal, while Jason said that for the third week in a row, Henry had stolen the routine.
Camilla and Sermsah: From last week's Hip Hop to a strong, powerful and innovative Martial Arts dance routine. Mary started the ball rolling by saying that Sermsah and Camilla had more stage presence in the first thirty seconds than the other two performances so far. Matt said he was drawn in, and the style sits so much better with the pair. It felt real, connected and engaging. Bonnie said it was a great achievement, especially to nail both the dancing and acting. Jason's comments were little more
"Tell me why/ I don't like Mondays/ I want to shoot/ The whole day down". So sung Sir Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats, true in 1979 and still so true today. Mondays mean back to work or school, Mondays mean four sleeps to the weekend, Mondays mean eviction night.
And what an eviction night. With the shock of top dancers Hilton and Kassy being sent home last week, all and sundry knew when it came to the bottom three, all bets were off. Here's how the night played itself out.
Helloooo sailor! Another all-in group piece kicked off the show with fast-paced flair. Created by the legendary Jason Gilkison, this week it was all about the Lindy Hop. Hailing from the streets of en-why-see (New York, where else?) in the late 1920s, the Lindy Hop evolved from a mish-mash of street styles popular at the time, such as Jazz, Tap and the Charleston. Belonging to the sassy Swing family, this high-energy partner style upped the fun factor, and saw our boys looking their best in khakis and our girls as pretty as pin-ups.
The stress-levels were sky-high for the first two couples onstage. Rhiannon and J.D. both had a strong start to the competition, but Sunday night's Tango saw J.D. drop the ball badly, freezing like a deer in headlights midway through the pair's saucy Tango routine. Bollywooders Kate and Graeme had been in the bottom three last week, with both of Kate's dancing partners being sent home, one by one. You could have cooked rice with pressure in the room – so imagine the raw joy and surprise when all four dancers were declared safe!!
Next up stood Indie Jazz duo Demi and Jack; Soul Swingers Laura and Anthony and Krumping kids Stephanie and Marko. Did Australia think Demi and Jack had the Jazz mojo to make it through to the Top 14? You guys sure did, these guys will be back next week! But unfortunately for the other two couples, they would both be back onstage, Dancing For Their Lives.
That leaves us with three more couples. Jemma and Rhys yet again stunne
Too close for missiles - we're switching to guns. It seemed just the other day twenty twinkle-toed dancers were zipping round the shiny Carriagework stage with the electric energy of top-ranking fighter pilots. Well Maverick, the need for speed has cut that Top 20 to fourteen. You don't have time to think up there. If you think, you're dead. Which dancers are writing cheques their bodies can't cash? Tonight's performance show decides (and the Top Gun references stop…. now. Sir, yes sir).
After picking up the Cadbury Breathtaking Moment two weeks outta three, Rhys and Jemma have been flying skyhigh… and that also meant the power couple were feeling the pressure to maintain the kickarse standard they'd set. This week the couple was hoping for Hip Hop - and they got it! From the cheekiest beginning to a routine so far (check the vids, y'all), this ghettofabulous, Afro-Cuban routine positively burnt up the stage! The judges were in agreeance about this supersexy urban routine, with all three experts praising the pair for their growth, versatility and ability to act as chameleons in whatever routine was thrown at them. Matt commented he felt there could have been more energy onstage, an opinion not shared by Bonnie. It was raunchy, it was sexy, and it had the audience salivating for more.
Last Sunday they sizzled with Samba, and now Demi and Jack are serving up a slice of sexy Rumba. This sophisticated routine showcased a more serious side to our cheeky duo, as well as these dancers' flexibility and fluidity. A highly technical dance, the sensual Rumba demands emphasis on posture and placement of feet. Last week the judges felt Jack outdanced Demi, and the week before that, vice versa. What was their feeling this week? Matt commented it was good to see the dancers in a different emotion apart from fun, fun, fun. The general feeling was there wasn't enough of a connection between the pair, and it could have been a little more touchy-feely. The judges felt Demi c
Yesterday's Super Sunday served up everything from heart-wrenching Contemporary set to Coldplay to earthy, animalistic African Samba. Now just 24 hours later, your votes decided which of these fourteen amazing dancers will became twelve by picking your bottom three. Here's the skinny:
Kicking off the show with a streetsmart Hip Hop urban routine choreographed by Juliette Verne, aka Jet, your top fourteen ripped it up with a combination of awesome b-boy and b-girl moves that saw not just Hip Hop experts Demi and J.D. shining. The night was off and racing, and that meant some very nervous dancers had to take to the stage.
First on the floor were Camilla and Sermsah, and Demi and Jack. Matt thought this style of Hip Hop sat better with Camilla and Sermsah, while Jason criticized the couple's problems with the lifts. Demi and Jack performed the Samba, and while Matt commented he didn't get connection, he said it was nice to see the pair step out of their ‘fun' zone. Bonnie thought it was lacking, and Jason thought it was flatfooted. So who was in the bottom three? Demi and Jack were safe, but Camilla and Sermsah would have to come back and Dance For Their Lives.
Next on the stage were Jemma and Rhys, and Vanessa and Henry. Jemma and Rhys were still riding high from their supersexy urban routine, which had the entire audience hot under the collar. The judges praised Rhys' masculinity and Jemma's diversity. Sunday saw Vanessa and Henry perform a sizzling Samba, choreographed by the one and only Jason Gilkison. Matt said the routine allowed the couple to really step up. Jason said Vanessa owned it, and they were yet to see Henry be bad. These two couples both had the skills to pay the bills – they were declared safe!
Laura and Anthony performed an obsessive Contemporary routine set to Avril Lavigne. Jason said he didn't believe the kiss and the scream – it wasn't enough to act sexy, they had to be sexy. Matt didn't get it, and thought it was ordinary. The
How crazy to think we're this close to carving our countries best 20 dancers clean down the middle. Every dancer has their eyes on the prize: whose gonna make it? These performances will decide…
Riding high on the praise of performing the best Contemporary routine so far in the competition (according to Sir Jason Coleman) AND being safe from the bottom three on Monday, Kate and Graeme were the first couple to kick off the show. In wack black Mad Max costumes placing them somewhere in a dystopian sci-fi adventure, the pair owned the stage with their hardcore thrash Jazz routine. The connection between these performers just seems to grow every week, and what better way to start than with a crowd pleasing song like the classic Guns 'n' Roses track, 'Live and Let Die'. First up guest judge Kelley Abbey (who viewers at home will remember from such shows as Top 100 week) said she thought they worked so well together. She said Graeme was clear and plugged in, while Kate was sexy and strong. Matt couldn't tell Kate had pinched a nerve in her neck, and liked the highs and lows, the light and the shade of the routine. Bonnie said the routine should be called 'Live and Lets Dance', while Jason said it had real impact, that he couldn't tell Kate had an injury and that Graeme had done a ballistically good job.
Next up, we bore witness to two kickass challenge routines, cuz this week, each couple had to choreograph and style their own routine for you guys out there in TV Land. Pocket rocket Rhiannon and the supersmooth J.D. got the ball rolling to Mika's quirky disco-flavoured 'Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)' before Jemma and Rhys wasted no time riding their ponies in a cheeky routine which seemed to take that X-rated theatre date and raise it by a dirty weekend away! Hot, hot, hot!
From last week's African Samba to graceful, strong Capoeira. Straight from the streets of Brazil, Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian blend of martial arts, game, and dance. The style requires Vane
The night kicked off with a clean, classy Bob Fosse-inspired group performance, choreographed by the one and only Kelley Abbey. For those playing at home, Bob Fosse was the man when it came to musical theatre and choreography, working from the '50s through to the 1980s. He picked up an unprecendented eight Tony's for choreography and received an Oscar for directing the dance classic, Cabaret (1972). According to our friend Wikipedia, the dance sequences in Cabaret were 'particularly characteristic of Fosse, the vulgar energy of vaudeville and burlesque updated and coolly contained within a slick, conscious sophistication'. Rhys is personally a big fan and recommends everyone see the 1979 musical he wrote and directed, All That Jazz, “All That Jazz was autobiographical and almost predicted his own demise. It was really ahead of its time and shows how much he fought to reveal his vision and to be understood. But now he lives as legend.”
The first two couples onstage, athletic Contemporary dancers Demi and Jack, and Nacho Pop Poppers Rhiannon and J.D. Both couples received both criticism and praise for last night's routine – but your votes sent the always popular Demi and Jack into the Top 10, meaning Rhiannon and J.D. would once again have to dance for their lives.
The second two couples up were showtime Musical Theatre entertainers Jemma and Rhys, and Lambada lovers Camilla and Anthony. The judges had nothing but praise for Rhys, but wanted Jemma to believe in herself more. Camilla and Anthony were only a week into their partnership and Jason thought sex was missing from their dance of love. It seems you agree as well – Rhys and Jemma were through to Top Ten, meaning Camilla and Anthony would be once again be dancing for their lives.
That leaves Jazz thrashers Kate and Graeme, and Capoeira kids Vanessa and Henry. The judges had plenty of praise for our first couple, especially considering Kate's neck injury meant that was the first time she had perfo
And… we're back! Firing on four cylinders from Sydney's Carriageworks comes the brightest, the most beautiful, the best dancers in this big brown land of ours. With only ten dancers left in the competition, tonight we're treated to a massive 15 new routines! That's five duos and ten solos, with each solo being danced to a song from a popular movie. Your Top Ten have survived all manner of injuries, being tossed out of their comfort zones and various brushes with the bottom three, but their talent and the judge's favour have kept them on the stage. Your votes keep them there. Who takes your fancy?
Opening the show was a duo routine from the lovely Vanessa and the lovable Jack. Paired together for the first time, these two were super-excited to tackle the technical world of Lyrical Contemporary. Their raw, poetic routine to Seal's emotional love ballad 'Kiss From a Rose' had the judges in agreeance – it was beautiful, quality and wonderful. All up, an excellent start to the show!
Having survived a seatbelt-free rollercoaster ride – and no less than three partners – to get her to Top Ten, Kate has proved herself to be one of the competition's fighters. Crowd fave Rhys breezed through Top Ten, never once being voted into the bottom three. Together, they cut more than a formidable figure on the d-floor. Working with experienced Hip Hop choreographer Supple, who's worked with the likes of Madonna and JT, Kate and Rhys cleaned up with an assured intricate, sexy Hip Hop routine to a remix of 'Give It To Me'. Matt thought the intricacy was phenomenal while Bonnie liked the new match. Jason and Bonnie disagreed on whether Kate had a 'Jazz' face on, but the final words came from an impressed Jason, "Yes, yes, yes!!"
First soloist to test the waters was Henry, performing a powerful, dramatic and strong routine to 'Come and Get Them' from the action film 300. From the flick Hitch, Rhiannon's solo to '1 Thing' showed off this bundle of trouble's cute, urban, slic
Sunday night's show delivered more thrills and spills than a week on a rollercoaster. Ten solos and five duos – that's a lotta dancing. But now the judges have no power to save or send these dashing dancers home: it's your votes alone who will decide who becomes Australia's favourite dancer…
Kicking off the show with the high quality we've grown accustomed to, our Top Ten had no trouble busting out their sweetest Hip Hop moves in a Nacho Pop choreographed routine. By now we're all experts on what Locking and Popping is, and even though there is but one b-gal left in the Top Ten, every dancer onstage looked like a pro. But not every dancer would be back next week…
And now it's down to business. The judges expressed their interest in seeing how the country would vote after the past few weeks of sharing their opinion on all things dance.
First up, our girls. It was a very nervous Vanessa, Rhiannon, Kate, Jemma and Demi upon stage next to the gorgeous Natalie B, each waiting to find out how last night's performances were judges by a dance-hungry public.
Last night Demi was a Contemporary critter bugging out to The Strokes. Bonnie said she was just magic, but Jason wasn't as enamored with her solo. Luckily the country was – she was safe! Jemma performed a Jive which didn't have the judges shaking their tail feathers, and a duo which Jason described as beige. Kate cleaned up with last night's Hip Hop, and Matt thought she owned her 'Queen of the Night' solo. The country agreed – Kate was safe, while Jemma was in the bottom four. Vanessa performed a sensual Contemporary routine, which had the judges in agreeance: simply beautiful. Her solo inspired Bonnie to say she was the genie who had come out of the bottle and there was no going back. Rhiannon paired with Henry for an intensely personal routine, which had Bonnie saying it was the best routine of the night. Her Hip Hop solo had Jason saying it was very her, and it was hot. Australia, it seems, didn
It's football for chicks, it's how we get through Monday mornings, and it's the only place to be Sunday nights. Top 8 week hasn't just set a high standard, it's blown the standard out of the galaxy! Eight hot routines for you tonight to help you pick your favourite dancer!
This week the lovely Vanessa paired up with the luscious Rhys, and the results were electric. First up for these two is old school Hip Hop, care of the very talented Supple. "I wanted to bring back the spirit in the early 90s using the styles of Hype and a current influence, New Style," explained Supple. "It's kinda like a brother and sister relationship, with Vanessa as the younger sister, and Rhys as the older brother." We've seen Rhys totally own several Hip Hop routines in the past, but it's Vanessa's first routine time in the baggy pants since popping with Henry in Animated Hip Hop. How would the lovely lyrical Vanessa handle being a b-girl? Matt said the pair did a good job representing the old school, however he thought Vanessa wasn't managing the isolation well enough and he wanted a little bit more from Rhys. Bonnie loved the work with hats and handkerchief, and thought the routine was a credit to Rhys, and he was just getting stronger and stronger. Jason thoroughly enjoyed it, but his big issue was unison. He thought they both did a good job in the two days they had, but reminded Vanessa to dance on the centre of the beat, and thought Rhys was a little bit under. However overall, he thought they were doing a great job in the competition. Vote to keep these guys in the competition!
Next up it's power couple number two, Kate and Jack. To the strains of Michael Buble's sultry version of the classic Spiderman theme, these two were ripping up the d-floor with Quickstep. An international ballroom style with an emphasis of footwork, the classy, fluid Quickstep allows performers to fly across the floor with the greatest of ease. Looking stylish in sparkly black, these two had us in their w
Can you see it? It's there, just cock your head, and squint real hard…. Yup, the finishing line is coming up on the horizon and tonight we're one step closer to knowing who will be Australia's favourite dancer. Ladies and gents, your Top 6 is here. But hey, let's cue flashback anyway.
Lights, camera, action and hey, here's another awe-inspiring group performance from Australia's Top 8 dancers care of innovative choreographers Project Moda, who bought us Demi and Henry's House routine last night. In the words of the (ridiculously good-looking) boys themselves, the style is "Funsyonesyfunksyswingsy. It is what it says. Please enjoy." With plenty of Swing and Jive lifts, the quirky routine had a joyful House Funk flavour, showing off the playful sides of the Top 8. And in no time whatsoever, it's time to work out who your votes kept safe.
First up, we took a trip down memory lane to check our first Kate, then Rhiannon's performances last night. For those who missed it (what the devil were you doing?), Kate nailed clever, complicated Hip Hop and stylish, sexy Quickstep with Jack, while Rhiannon rocked Jazz Funk Hip Hop and released her inner vixen for Burlesque with Graeme. Kate and Jack were Matt Lee's couple of the night – and the sentiment was shared nationwide – Kate was safe!
Ballet dancer Vanessa kicked off the show getting agro in a Hip Hop workout and then danced up a storm to a Latin-influenced Broadway number with partner Rhys. Demi had a bumpy start with her House duo with Henry but blossomed with a Contemporary love affair. Demi has never been in the bottom three – and that streak of good luck continued, as she was declared safe!
And here are the boys! The only Ballroom dancer left in the competition, Henry started out with synchronization problems with his House number before falling in love with Demi to Contemporary. Crowd favourite Jack flexed his muscles for a crime-fighting Quickstep before Singing in the Rain to Hip Hop with Kate. B
The gorgeousKate has danced with all three boys left in the competition, so it was something of a sweet reunion when she pulled Rhys' name out of the infamous hat… and the excitement didn't stop when the word Rumba was the next thing revealed! And who else to choreograph this powerful, passionate dance of love than dance master extraordinaire, Mr Jason Gilkison. Dramatic, moving and emotive, this Rumba was about a man being in love with a woman and but never being able to tell her. Getting a standing ovation from the crowd, the routine had the judges in agreeance – simply spectacular. Matt said he totally bought it. He said that each week, Kate is given a new genre and she just tackles it, nails it, kills it and serves it; a brilliant way to start the show. Jason said it was just fantastic. They took ownership of the routine, and Kate was just exquisite. If the competition is about versatility, this showed why they're both still here. Bonnie said it couldn't be faulted. All up, another dance victory!
Demi and Jack! We've been crossing our fingers these two lovable dancers will pair up again, and all our stargazing and eyelash wishing has come true! This time round, they're dancing a magically mechanical Contemporary routine to 'Strict Machine' by Goldfrapp. "They're embodying machines," explains choreographer Gary Stewart. "They work as one unit as a machine, and separately as well, with moments of sensuality. I want the audience to enjoy the rhythm of the movement as it rides the music, and also to enjoy the invention of the choreography." The result is quirky, controlled, and sophisticated. The crowd loved it, and the judges lapped it up. Jason said it was incredible that Demi, who has never done a Ballet class in her life, did so well with such a technical routine. Bonnie said it was amazing, and asked how the dancers bought emotion to the routine. Jack replied it was in the light and shade of the music, and Demi said it was in the musicality of the track.
As usual, our Manic Monday kicked off with a pants-wettingly good group routine, choreographed by the one and only Jason Gilkison. A little bit Burlesque, a little bit Tango, and hey, let's throw some Cha Cha in for good measure, and you have one crowd-pleasing display of strong, sexy d-floor action. All six dancers were on top of their game, but not all would be going home still in the running to be named Australia's favourite dancer.
Hey, did you hear the circus is in town? Yup, a very tall and very short dancer from the famed performance troupe Cirque du Soleil had jaws dropping from here to Tassy with their breath-taking fusion of Lyrical and Acrobatics. Enter to win tickets to their show right here on the site as soon as you finish reading this recap!
Here are the girls! All dancing for a mere 30 seconds to prove to you guys exactly how talented and (let's face it!) hot they are, first up it's Kate's emotional Lyrical Contemporary, then Vanessa's tribal Contemporary, followed by Demi's funky b-girl breaks. And then of course, your guys. Jack danced a sharp Jazzhall Funk, Graeme busted out thought-provoking Lyrical for his Mum before Rhys' sealed the deal with a colourfully robotic take on Jazz Funk.
Who said this show was all about dancing? We like putting on a show for you guys and that means shipping Jamaican American singer and rapper Sean Kingston in to rev up the crowd up with his bubblegum reggae hit 'Take You There'. Like what you hear? Go pick up the boy's self-titled debut album – it's out now.
And now, down to business. Let's start with the ladies. Kate performed romantic Rumba before transforming into an East Side gangsta. Vanessa faced the challenge of a slapstick Broadway routine then found her inner sex kitten. Demi transformed into a Contemporary robot to Goldfrapp before staking her claim to her roots as a fresh b-girl in a Nacho Pop Hip Hop routine. The first girl to secure her place in the top four was Kate.
Jack joined ex-par
Have you got grand final fever? It's definitely the hottest fever going round town and everyone's hankering for a piece of the pie. Tonight, the countdown heats up to discovering who will be Australia's favourite dancer. From thousands to just four – and these guys have sure been put through their paces this week! Each dancing a duo with each other as well as a group routines - let's find out how the Fantastic Four fared.
Kicking off the show with a supersexy Cha-Cha - choreographed by the master of Ballroom, Mr. Jason Gilkison - were the always lovable Demi and Jack. Burning up the dancefloor in a shimmery white dress that showed off her lean, mean, dancing bod machine, this routine had the saucy Demi teasing partner Jack all over the stage, even ending up on the judges' podium! This wonderful routine had the judges in agreeance – the wow-factor was sky-high. Matt said they did such a great job and unlike last time they danced a Ballroom style (the Rumba), this time he really bought the connection between both of them. Bonnie commented that the opening was particularly sexy. She said that Demi could achieve anything and Jack was just sensational. It was a routine where two people became one. Jason said the Cha Cha, developed in the ‘50s, is a dance of joy so both performers fulfilled for him what the Cha Cha is all about. He commented on Jack's mastery of the Ballroom stance; the feel and look, and that Demi eats it up with her face. All up, a fantastic way to kick off the show!
Attention! Hup, hup!! Kate and Rhys are next onstage, decked out as identical English National Guards for a unison-heavy routine from Supple. "My intent was to show there's a human side to people like policeman as well," he says. "It starts with a military drill, then they funk it up, then it finishes with a military drill. It's sort of like that scene in Police Academy where the main one sneaks out to go out partying, and comes back in the next morning." Matt said was a very, v
Trim, taunt and terrific. No, we're not talking about bronzed babes on overpriced exercise bikes in late night infomercials, we're talking about your Top 20! The opening routine was something of a family reunion – well, if your family was made up of the sassiest, slinkiest, shiniest dancers produced by this big brown land of us. Decked out in killer suits, which not only riffed on a 1920s gangster of the Chicago kind but reflected their individual genres as well, we catch up with Courtney, Khaly, Kassy, Hilton, Steph, Marko, Laura, Sermsah, Camilla, J.D., Jemma, Anthony, Henry, Rhiannon, Graeme and Vanessa were all introduced in turn, reminding us of why they were chosen to be part of this incredible competition in the first place. The Matt Lee choreographed extravaganza to Rianna's trademark track, 'Don't Stop the Music' showed off the strengths of all the Top 20. With Ballroom, Hip Hop, Jazz and Contemporary all thrown into the mix, the routine even bought all three judges and choreographers Jason Gilkison, Nacho Pop and Kelley Abbey to the stage! "It was fun – kinda weird actually!" says Kelley in regards to her chance to strut her stuff onstage. "It was weird because you're used to putting them up there and all of a sudden, you're up. But the whole thing was good fun - a less pressured, more relaxed atmosphere."
With trips down memory lane cut into the whole show, taking us right back to the very beginning of the audition process, tonight's performance is shot with sweet nostalgia as we remember the characters we've met along the way and the dancers we've grown to love… but the question of everyone's lips was the same – who would walk away with the cash and the kudos?
But before we get to that, we're treated to a style we haven't been able to feature on the show because of the rehearsal time required: tap! Industrial, masculine and pulsing with a strong staccato rhythm, Dean Perry and the tip-tapping Tap Dogs made sure we were sitting up and paying
