Doriana Sanchez may be best known for being the girl in the polka dot dress in “Dirty Dancing,” but behind the scenes the actor-turned-choreographer has made her mark on live stage shows, including Cher’s Las Vegas residency, as well as quite a few reality competition series. Most notably, she is “So You Think You Can Dance’s” choreographer. After starting on that Fox series in its first season in 2005, she has gone on to work with finalists on standout numbers, including last season’s “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” performed by Madison Jordan and Ezra Sosa.
Once a song for the show has been cleared for you, what’s your process in working with the dancers?
I’ll go into the studio and create a routine with my assistant. On the first day with the contestant, I’ll spend three hours with them — 90 minutes of interviews and the other 90 minutes is actual dance.
Once a song for the show has been cleared for you, what’s your process in working with the dancers?
I’ll go into the studio and create a routine with my assistant. On the first day with the contestant, I’ll spend three hours with them — 90 minutes of interviews and the other 90 minutes is actual dance.
- 7/6/2020
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Another season of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” reality show has come to a close. But Gold Derby’s Daniel Montgomery, Susan Wloszczyna and Denton Davidson have some lingering thoughts about the outcome of the Season 16 finale that aired on Monday.
Let’s start with the winner, 19-year-old b-boy Bailey Munoz, the first-ever break-dancer to win the title of America’s favorite dancer. As judge Mary Murphy told Gold Derby, he was the Rudy of this year’s competition as he rose to every occasion and relished the challenge of doing every style of dance from cha cha and jazz to Bollywood and Broadway.
Says Daniel about Bailey’s triumph, “He definitely had the strongest rooting factor, he was the most versatile. It wasn’t a foregone conclusion but by the end it felt like there was a pretty strong groundswell of support for him.” As for the three contemporary finalists,...
Let’s start with the winner, 19-year-old b-boy Bailey Munoz, the first-ever break-dancer to win the title of America’s favorite dancer. As judge Mary Murphy told Gold Derby, he was the Rudy of this year’s competition as he rose to every occasion and relished the challenge of doing every style of dance from cha cha and jazz to Bollywood and Broadway.
Says Daniel about Bailey’s triumph, “He definitely had the strongest rooting factor, he was the most versatile. It wasn’t a foregone conclusion but by the end it felt like there was a pretty strong groundswell of support for him.” As for the three contemporary finalists,...
- 9/19/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna, Daniel Montgomery and Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
The dancers danced, and voters voted for the “So You Think You Can Dance” season 16 finale, so there was nothing to do but find out who won: Gino Cosculluela, Bailey Munoz, Sophie Pittman or Mariah Russell? Find out below in our live blog with all the minute-by-minute developments as they happen.
Munoz was the only b-boy left in the competition against a trio of contemporary specialists, but you wouldn’t know it from how well he picks up choreography in a variety of styles. In last week’s “Top 4 Perform,” the final competitive performance episode of the season, Munoz danced Broadway, Bollywood, hip-hop, and smooth jazz with all of his competitors and with all-star Comfort Fedoke. And Bollywood was the only dance for which he received any criticism from the judges — and even that was pretty mild.
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No surprise, then,...
Munoz was the only b-boy left in the competition against a trio of contemporary specialists, but you wouldn’t know it from how well he picks up choreography in a variety of styles. In last week’s “Top 4 Perform,” the final competitive performance episode of the season, Munoz danced Broadway, Bollywood, hip-hop, and smooth jazz with all of his competitors and with all-star Comfort Fedoke. And Bollywood was the only dance for which he received any criticism from the judges — and even that was pretty mild.
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No surprise, then,...
- 9/16/2019
- by Denton Davidson and Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Bailey Munoz will win “So You Think You Can Dance” tonight. That’s according to the combined predictions of more than 100 fans who have made their forecasts here in our predictions center (you can make or update your own before tonight’s show). And when we asked our readers who should win the season, the answer was the same. So will he truly dominate the competition when America’s favorite dancer is revealed? Scroll down to see our odds and poll results.
Well over half of our users are predicting a Munoz victory, giving him leading odds of 21/50. And a whopping 54% of our poll respondents say that’s the rightful result. That wasn’t always the case, though. Going into the first live show, contemporary dancer Madison Jordan was the front-runner to win, but she only made it to the top six. Then, as support for Jordan was waning, Munoz...
Well over half of our users are predicting a Munoz victory, giving him leading odds of 21/50. And a whopping 54% of our poll respondents say that’s the rightful result. That wasn’t always the case, though. Going into the first live show, contemporary dancer Madison Jordan was the front-runner to win, but she only made it to the top six. Then, as support for Jordan was waning, Munoz...
- 9/16/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
This week, the Top 6 dancers were cut to the final 4 and, as usual, Gold Derby senior editors Daniel Montgomery and Susan Wloszczyna had more than a few thoughts about the show’s outcome. Especially since this is the last time that judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval and Laurieann Gibson will have a say in the matter.
“The two eliminated were — probably not too surprisingly — Madison Jordan and Ezra Sosa,” Daniel states. “Which leaves the Top 4, going into the finals, Bailey Munoz, Gino Cosculluela, Sophie Pittman and Mariah Russell.”
Susan’s reaction to the results? “I kind of realized that it was going to be over for Madison pretty much. I think in some routines she has personality, like that Bob Fosse thing she did two weeks ago. That was perfect for her. But she’s not as versatile.”
See ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ live recap:...
“The two eliminated were — probably not too surprisingly — Madison Jordan and Ezra Sosa,” Daniel states. “Which leaves the Top 4, going into the finals, Bailey Munoz, Gino Cosculluela, Sophie Pittman and Mariah Russell.”
Susan’s reaction to the results? “I kind of realized that it was going to be over for Madison pretty much. I think in some routines she has personality, like that Bob Fosse thing she did two weeks ago. That was perfect for her. But she’s not as versatile.”
See ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ live recap:...
- 9/6/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna and Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Last week on “So You Think You Can Dance” when the Top 8 performed, I feared that contemporary dancer Benjamin Castro and his hip-hop partner Anna Linstruth were going to be in trouble when it was revealed they were doing a Polynesian routine. Such ethnic choreography –including Bollywood and African — doesn’t always feel authentic when done by those who are not familiar with that style.
Sure enough, the pair had to say goodbye by the end of the episode.
But during Top 8 week there was another equally dicey pitfall that was awaiting contemporary contestant Madison Jordan and her ballroom partner Ezra Sosa — namely, disco. This style of choreography not only can it seem dated but also has so many intricate lifts and spins that dancers have been known to be injured and not just by an overdose of sequins.
@madisonrosejord and @ezra_sosa make us feel mighty real! #Sytycd pic.
Sure enough, the pair had to say goodbye by the end of the episode.
But during Top 8 week there was another equally dicey pitfall that was awaiting contemporary contestant Madison Jordan and her ballroom partner Ezra Sosa — namely, disco. This style of choreography not only can it seem dated but also has so many intricate lifts and spins that dancers have been known to be injured and not just by an overdose of sequins.
@madisonrosejord and @ezra_sosa make us feel mighty real! #Sytycd pic.
- 9/5/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Who’s the couple to beat on “So You Think You Can Dance” this season has been up for debate in recent weeks. At first the judges thought it was clearly Bailey Munoz and Mariah Russell. Then Gino Cosculluela and Sophie Pittman gave them a run for their money after their previous partners had been eliminated. But on “Top 6 Perform” night, the judges swung back the other way: Munoz and Russell are truly the couple to beat. Scroll down to see the “sexy and smooth” routine that may just have sealed the deal for this dynamic duo.
After splitting up at the beginning of the night to perform routines with “Sytycd” all-stars, Munoz and Russell were reunited for a jazz routine choreographed by Ray Leeper and set to “Need You Tonight” by Inxs. “Sexy and smooth” was how Russell described it during rehearsals, and it’s hard to think of better adjectives for it.
After splitting up at the beginning of the night to perform routines with “Sytycd” all-stars, Munoz and Russell were reunited for a jazz routine choreographed by Ray Leeper and set to “Need You Tonight” by Inxs. “Sexy and smooth” was how Russell described it during rehearsals, and it’s hard to think of better adjectives for it.
- 9/3/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Hey, "So You Think You Can Dance" fans. Tonight, September 2,2019, another Live performances/results show did indeed air, and another two unlucky dancers got sent packing at the end of it. The judges: Laurieann Gibson, Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval, Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe were all on hand to give their critiques. The final 6 dancers were featured tonight. They danced with returning All-Stars from various seasons. Tonight's Live results show kicked off with the final 6 dancers doing another group routine. It featured them dressed up as zombie's and doing a spooky dance number from choreographers Pharside & Phoenix. Right after that, Bailey Munoz and All-Star Koine Iwasaki hit the stage to perform a Broadway routine by choreographer Al Blackstone. Afterwards, Dominic said, "Bailey is an amazing dancer. So, I believed the character and performance." Laurieann said, "I would buy a ticket to any show that Bailey is in." Nigel said, "Bailey is...
- 9/3/2019
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
Season 16 of “So You Think You Can Dance” is in the home stretch. Going into the Labor Day show on Monday night, September 2, six dancers went in, and by the end America’s votes decided the four finalists who would compete for the title. Find out what happened below in our live blog with all the minute-by-minute developments as they happen.
Contemporary dancers have ruled the live shows, taking 5 of the top 10 slots coming out of the Academy rounds. Their dominance was even greater in the top six; they made up two-thirds of this week’s remaining contestants: Madison Jordan, Gino Cosculluela, Sophie Pittman and Mariah Russell, who went up against lone b-boy Bailey Munoz and ballroom specialist Ezra Sosa. So there was a chance that contemporary could sweep the finals.
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Up until now, the team of Bailey and Mariah...
Contemporary dancers have ruled the live shows, taking 5 of the top 10 slots coming out of the Academy rounds. Their dominance was even greater in the top six; they made up two-thirds of this week’s remaining contestants: Madison Jordan, Gino Cosculluela, Sophie Pittman and Mariah Russell, who went up against lone b-boy Bailey Munoz and ballroom specialist Ezra Sosa. So there was a chance that contemporary could sweep the finals.
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Up until now, the team of Bailey and Mariah...
- 9/2/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
As longtime viewers of “So You Think You Can Dance” know, all routines are not created equal. Emotion-driven contemporary numbers about a break-up between lovers will have teary-eyed fans running to their devices to vote multiple times for the couple.
Meanwhile, a ethnic dance can lead to a feeling that the dancers are simply faking it. Also, choreography that relies too much on gimmicks or elaborate costumes can detract from the dance steps themselves.
As for ballroom duets, they can often lead to trouble if the male member of the team doesn’t have the physicality to lift their partner without making the audience hold their breaths and cross their fingers.
See‘So You Think You Can Dance’ video recap: We debate the fate of the Top 8 [Watch]
All three of these terpsichorean traps happened on the Top 8 episode in which both members of a pair were sent home.
Ride the...
Meanwhile, a ethnic dance can lead to a feeling that the dancers are simply faking it. Also, choreography that relies too much on gimmicks or elaborate costumes can detract from the dance steps themselves.
As for ballroom duets, they can often lead to trouble if the male member of the team doesn’t have the physicality to lift their partner without making the audience hold their breaths and cross their fingers.
See‘So You Think You Can Dance’ video recap: We debate the fate of the Top 8 [Watch]
All three of these terpsichorean traps happened on the Top 8 episode in which both members of a pair were sent home.
Ride the...
- 9/1/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
The Top 8 dancers became the Top 6 this week on a super-sized two-hour episode of “So You Think You Can Dance.” Each contestant participated in no less than five routines — two group numbers, two duets and a solo. While Gold Derby senior editors Daniel Montgomery and Susan Wloszczyna enjoyed some of the performances, other attempts came up short.
As Daniel notes, last week two couples were broken up when tapper Eddie Hoyt and ballroom whiz Stephanie Sosa were eliminated. But this week a pair had to say goodbye, contemporary dancer Benjamin Castro and hip-hop specialist Anna Linstruth. Meanwhile, Madison Jordan and Ezra Sosa, the other team in the bottom two guys and girls, were saved by the judges.
Susan thinks that Benjamin and Anna were handicapped by their first routine — an attempt at Tahitian-style dancing. “That was the kiss of death,” she says. “Unless you are a Tahitian, it really doesn’t look right.
As Daniel notes, last week two couples were broken up when tapper Eddie Hoyt and ballroom whiz Stephanie Sosa were eliminated. But this week a pair had to say goodbye, contemporary dancer Benjamin Castro and hip-hop specialist Anna Linstruth. Meanwhile, Madison Jordan and Ezra Sosa, the other team in the bottom two guys and girls, were saved by the judges.
Susan thinks that Benjamin and Anna were handicapped by their first routine — an attempt at Tahitian-style dancing. “That was the kiss of death,” she says. “Unless you are a Tahitian, it really doesn’t look right.
- 8/29/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna and Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The “So You Think You Can Dance” judges had one of their toughest decisions to make on Monday at the end of “Top 8 Perform” night: contemporary dancer Benjamin Castro and ballroom dancer Ezra Sosa were the bottom two men based on America’s votes, but Mary Murphy, Nigel Lythgoe, Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval and Laurieann Gibson were unanimous in deciding that Sosa should stay and Castro should go. Was that the right call? The fans we polled were sharply divided. Scroll down to see our complete poll results.
Fewer than half of our respondents (40%) thought Castro deserved to be eliminated. In the first live show he and his partner Anna Linstruth were praised for their cha cha, and Castro got enough votes to stay safe from elimination. The following week he and Linstruth tried their luck with hip-hop; the judges loved him there too, but apparently viewers didn’t since that...
Fewer than half of our respondents (40%) thought Castro deserved to be eliminated. In the first live show he and his partner Anna Linstruth were praised for their cha cha, and Castro got enough votes to stay safe from elimination. The following week he and Linstruth tried their luck with hip-hop; the judges loved him there too, but apparently viewers didn’t since that...
- 8/29/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
In the past week, a 26-pound tabby cat BeeJay who was up for adoption went viral as while being labeled a Chonk. Well, the first two-hour live show of the 16th season of “So You Think You Can Dance” was a bloated Chonk of an episode if there ever was one. Each of the eight remaining dancers had to take on five numbers — two group, two duets and one solo. Watching host Cat Deeley whiz through all the introductions was exhausting in itself.
But as is normally the case, some routines were more apt to be popular with the judges and better suited for the dancers involved than others. Face it, some styles of choreography just don’t pack the punch that others do. Or a otherwise talented contestant is saddled with more of a physical challenge than they can handle. Even a costume choice can be a problematic. Then...
But as is normally the case, some routines were more apt to be popular with the judges and better suited for the dancers involved than others. Face it, some styles of choreography just don’t pack the punch that others do. Or a otherwise talented contestant is saddled with more of a physical challenge than they can handle. Even a costume choice can be a problematic. Then...
- 8/27/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Hey, "So You Think You Can Dance" fans. Tonight, August 26, 2019, another Live performance and elimination episode did indeed air, and another two unlucky dancers were sent packing at the end of it. The judges: The judges: Laurieann Gibson, Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval, Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe were on hand to give their critiques. Tonight's Live show kicked off with the remaining 8 dancers doing a group number that was choreographed by Jonathan and Oksana. Right after that, Benjamin Castro and Anna Linstruth hit the stage to perform a Tahitian routine that was choreographed by Tiana Liufau. Afterwards, Nigel said, "I love diversity of dance. I feel spoiled by Tahitian dances from the past. I didn’t feel you got into character enough." Mary said, "The hips and knees were moving incredibly fast." She gave Anna some technical critiques, and she gave Bejamin a lot of praise. Dominic said, "Anna’s hips told me a great story.
- 8/27/2019
- by Derek Smith
- OnTheFlix
“So You Think You Can Dance” knocked out tapper Eddie Hoyt and ballroom dancer Stephanie Sosa last week in the first live eliminations of season 16. That left eight contestants in the competition, so which of them survived “Top 8 Perform” night, and which two were ousted? Find out below in our live blog with all the minute-by-minute developments as they happen.
When America’s votes were counted Eddie and Stephanie landed among the bottom two men and bottom two women with Ezra Sosa and Anna Linstruth, respectively. It was the judges who decided to keep Ezra and Anna in the competition (our readers were not too pleased with the choice to get rid of Stephanie), but if the viewing audience didn’t connect with those two surviving dancers before, was this week any different? Ezra was praised for his jazz routine the night he was saved from the chopping block, while...
When America’s votes were counted Eddie and Stephanie landed among the bottom two men and bottom two women with Ezra Sosa and Anna Linstruth, respectively. It was the judges who decided to keep Ezra and Anna in the competition (our readers were not too pleased with the choice to get rid of Stephanie), but if the viewing audience didn’t connect with those two surviving dancers before, was this week any different? Ezra was praised for his jazz routine the night he was saved from the chopping block, while...
- 8/27/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The judges saved Anna Linstruth and Ezra Sosa from elimination last week on “So You Think You Can Dance” after America’s votes landed them among the bottom two women and bottom two men, respectively. Will they dodge another bullet on tonight’s show? According to the combined predictions of “Sytycd” fans who have given us their predictions here in our predictions center, maybe not.
Our readers weren’t happy when the judges decided to save Linstruth instead of Ezra’s sister Stephanie Sosa last week when audience votes put them both in jeopardy. Sosa had gotten nothing but praise from the judges for her duets with Gino Cosculluela. But Linstruth was criticized by Laurieann Gibson for giving a lackluster performance in her hip-hop routine last week — that was Linstruth’s specialty, no less — so if she finds herself at the bottom again, the judges might not save her twice.
Our readers weren’t happy when the judges decided to save Linstruth instead of Ezra’s sister Stephanie Sosa last week when audience votes put them both in jeopardy. Sosa had gotten nothing but praise from the judges for her duets with Gino Cosculluela. But Linstruth was criticized by Laurieann Gibson for giving a lackluster performance in her hip-hop routine last week — that was Linstruth’s specialty, no less — so if she finds herself at the bottom again, the judges might not save her twice.
- 8/26/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Contemporary dancer Madison Jordan went into the “So You Think You Can Dance” season 16 live shows as the front-runner to win the competition, according to the combined predictions of fans who give us their forecasts here every week, but after two stellar live duets, Mariah Russell and Bailey Munoz have charged ahead. So where do the contestants stand now with the competition narrowed down to the top eight?
As of this writing Russell is the favorite to win with leading odds of 8/5, followed by her partner Munoz with odds of 31/10. For Russell that’s a huge leap from her fourth place odds of 9/1 before “Top 10 Perform, Round 2.” But Munoz is stable, holding steady in second place from last week. They dynamic duo performed a stellar “Love Shack” jazz number in the first live show of the season. then they closed the second live show with a “Tempo” hip-hop routine so...
As of this writing Russell is the favorite to win with leading odds of 8/5, followed by her partner Munoz with odds of 31/10. For Russell that’s a huge leap from her fourth place odds of 9/1 before “Top 10 Perform, Round 2.” But Munoz is stable, holding steady in second place from last week. They dynamic duo performed a stellar “Love Shack” jazz number in the first live show of the season. then they closed the second live show with a “Tempo” hip-hop routine so...
- 8/23/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The first two Top 10 contestants sadly got the boot on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ – and Gold Derby senior editors Daniel Montgomery and Susan Wloszczyna saw only one coming for sure. As Daniel says, “For me it was not surprising and very surprising. Eddie Hoyt, the tap dancer who danced jazz funk last week, had a much better contemporary dance. But it wasn’t enough – he was eliminated.”
Ballroom dancer Ezra Sosa was also in the bottom for men while hip-hop specialist Anna Linstruth and Stephanie Sosa – Ezra’s fellow ballroom dancer sister – were in the bottom two. “And the judges sent home Stephanie, which I didn’t understand at all.”
Daniel notes that Susan has had a rooting interest in Eddie, since only one tapper, Season 12’s Gaby Diaz, has ever won on the show. But even she says, “I knew this was going to come for him,...
Ballroom dancer Ezra Sosa was also in the bottom for men while hip-hop specialist Anna Linstruth and Stephanie Sosa – Ezra’s fellow ballroom dancer sister – were in the bottom two. “And the judges sent home Stephanie, which I didn’t understand at all.”
Daniel notes that Susan has had a rooting interest in Eddie, since only one tapper, Season 12’s Gaby Diaz, has ever won on the show. But even she says, “I knew this was going to come for him,...
- 8/22/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
“So You Think You Can Dance” season 16 just started its live shows, and already there has been a surprise. I didn’t expect the judges to eliminate ballroom dancer Stephanie Sosa from the competition after she and Anna Linstruth landed in the bottom two based on America’s votes. And judging from our poll results, neither did our readers. Only 10% of respondents said Sosa deserved to be sent home. So what did the other 90% think should have happened? Scroll down to see the complete poll results at the bottom of this post.
Sosa was paired with contemporary dancer Gino Cosculluela for the live shows, and on their first night together the judges loved her hip-hop performance choreographed by Luther Brown, though they didn’t think her dance partner exhibited enough personality. But the judges gave both of them rave reviews during “Top 10 Perform, Round 2” when they danced a jive by Sasha Farber and Emmy Slater.
Sosa was paired with contemporary dancer Gino Cosculluela for the live shows, and on their first night together the judges loved her hip-hop performance choreographed by Luther Brown, though they didn’t think her dance partner exhibited enough personality. But the judges gave both of them rave reviews during “Top 10 Perform, Round 2” when they danced a jive by Sasha Farber and Emmy Slater.
- 8/21/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Hey,"So You Think You Can Dance" fans. Tonight, August 19, 2019,the first Live elimination show did indeed air, and two unlucky dancers got sent home at the end of it. The judges: Lauriann Gibson, Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval, Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe were all on hand to give their critiques. Tonight's episode kicked off with the top ten dancers doing another group routine to Harry Styles' "Sign Of The Times" song. Their choreography was done by Travis Wall. After that,Stephanie Sosa and Gino Cosculluela hit the stage to do a Jive routine by choreographers Emma Slater and Sasha Farber from "Dancing With The Stars." Afterwards, Mary told them, "You were hitting with greatness." Dominic told Gino, "You're a star. Stephanie was equally amazing."Lauriann said, "I smell greatness." Nigel said,"Stephanie was fantastic but, all the credit goes to Gino for tonight." Next, they revealed that Gino is safe this week,...
- 8/20/2019
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
“This is another one of those pieces where you know the weight of it before it’s going to hit the air,” Travis Wall told us about the August 19 opening number on “So You Think You Can Dance” (watch it above). We recorded our interview with Wall on Friday, August 16, as the top 10 contestants were preparing for the emotional routine inspired by America’s gun violence epidemic and set to Harry Styles‘s “Sign of the Times.”
The performance featured all 10 “Sytycd” competitors who made it to the live shows: Madison Jordan, Ezra Sosa, Stephanie Sosa, Gino Cosculluela, Sophie Pittman, Eddie Hoyt, Anna Linstruth, Benjamin Castro, Mariah Russell and Bailey Munoz. Their movements evoked the sudden violent jolt of gun death as well as the group fear, tension and grief that can result. At the end of the number the dancers turned away from the crowd, and the word “Enough...
The performance featured all 10 “Sytycd” competitors who made it to the live shows: Madison Jordan, Ezra Sosa, Stephanie Sosa, Gino Cosculluela, Sophie Pittman, Eddie Hoyt, Anna Linstruth, Benjamin Castro, Mariah Russell and Bailey Munoz. Their movements evoked the sudden violent jolt of gun death as well as the group fear, tension and grief that can result. At the end of the number the dancers turned away from the crowd, and the word “Enough...
- 8/20/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
“So You Think You Can Dance” season 16 began its live shows on August 12, and this week we learned the results of America’s vote: which eight dancers moved on to the next round, and which unlucky two were eliminated? Find out below in our live blog with all the minute-by-minute developments as they happen.
The judges especially loved two duets from the season premiere: Bailey Munoz and Mariah Russell‘s jazz number and Madison Jordan and Ezra Sosa‘s contemporary routine. The readers we polled loved those dances too. However, the judges were “uncomfortable” with Eddie Hoyt‘s performance of jazz funk, though they praised his partner Sophie Pittman. And the technically gifted Gino Cosculluela got mixed reviews for his hip-hop dance opposite Stephanie Sosa.
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But now that we’re in the live shows the judges’ critiques don’t matter...
The judges especially loved two duets from the season premiere: Bailey Munoz and Mariah Russell‘s jazz number and Madison Jordan and Ezra Sosa‘s contemporary routine. The readers we polled loved those dances too. However, the judges were “uncomfortable” with Eddie Hoyt‘s performance of jazz funk, though they praised his partner Sophie Pittman. And the technically gifted Gino Cosculluela got mixed reviews for his hip-hop dance opposite Stephanie Sosa.
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But now that we’re in the live shows the judges’ critiques don’t matter...
- 8/20/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Mariah Russell and Bailey Munoz gave the best duet performance in the first live show of “So You Think You Can Dance” season 16. That’s according to the readers we polled for their reactions after Monday night’s competition. Do you agree with your fellow fans? Scroll down to see the complete poll results, and refresh your memory with our live blog of “Top 10 Perform” night.
Russell and Munoz got nearly half of the vote in our poll (46%) for their “Love Shack” jazz routine choreographed by Emmy winner Mandy Moore, which opened the show with infectious energy that no other performance of the night quite matched. Ranked second according to our respondents was the emotional contemporary routine by Ezra Sosa and Madison Jordan with 33%. Judge Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval actually called that the best performance of the night, so he clearly didn’t vote enough times in our poll then.
Sign...
Russell and Munoz got nearly half of the vote in our poll (46%) for their “Love Shack” jazz routine choreographed by Emmy winner Mandy Moore, which opened the show with infectious energy that no other performance of the night quite matched. Ranked second according to our respondents was the emotional contemporary routine by Ezra Sosa and Madison Jordan with 33%. Judge Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval actually called that the best performance of the night, so he clearly didn’t vote enough times in our poll then.
Sign...
- 8/19/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Hey,"So You Think You Can Dance" fans. Tonight, August 12, 2019, the first of the Live shows featuring the top 5 girls and 5 guys did indeed air. There was no elimination tonight. Those will start in next week's Live show as the America's votes from tonight will carry over into next week's live show. Tonight's Live show featured a boys group routine, a girls group routine, and five duets. The judges: Lauriann Gibson, Dominic "D-Trix" Sandoval, Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe were all on hand to give their critiques. Tonight's Live show kicked off with the top ten dancers performing a group dance number that was choreographed by Mandy Moore. After that, Mariah Russell and Bailey Munoz kicked off the duet performances with a jazz routine by choreographer Mandy Moore. They danced to B-52's "Love Shack" track. Afterwards, Lauriann told them, "I loved it. I loved the chemistry and connection." Nigel said,...
- 8/13/2019
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
In the first “So You Think You Can Dance” live show of season 16, the top 10 contestants split up into teams of two for duets, and the performance that seemed to impress the judges the most was a contemporary routine choreographed by Talia Favia for Ezra Sosa and Madison Jordan. You can watch their stellar number above. But was it fair to the other contestants? As luck would have it, Madison is a contemporary dancer and got to perform entirely within her style of choice.
Judge Nigel Lythgoe thought Sosa did a superb job of keeping up with Jordan and that Jordan showed impressive emotional strength. Laurieann Gibson thought it was “wonderful.” Mary Murphy called it “glorious,” and even when they was a mistake — Jordan’s foot slipped off of Sosa’s back in one maneuver — they covered it so well that it felt like a natural part of the routine.
Judge Nigel Lythgoe thought Sosa did a superb job of keeping up with Jordan and that Jordan showed impressive emotional strength. Laurieann Gibson thought it was “wonderful.” Mary Murphy called it “glorious,” and even when they was a mistake — Jordan’s foot slipped off of Sosa’s back in one maneuver — they covered it so well that it felt like a natural part of the routine.
- 8/13/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
After several weeks of auditions, tryouts, training and cuts, “So You Think You Can Dance” season 16 has gone live! While the judges continue to critique the contestants’ performances, it’s fans at home who decide who stays and who goes from here on out. But there was no elimination on “Top 10 Perform” night. This week showed us who rose to the occasion under the bright lights in front of a live TV audience. Next week we’ll find out what America decides. Follow along below in our live blog for all the minute-by-minute developments as they happen.
Though “Sytycd” brings together dancers from a wide variety of backgrounds, contemporary specialists make up half of this year’s top 10 dancers: Benjamin Castro, Gino Cosculluela, Madison Jordan, Sophie Pittman and Mariah Russell all represent that style. They’re joined by two hip-hop dancers (Bailey Munoz and Anna Linstruth), two ballroom dancers (siblings...
Though “Sytycd” brings together dancers from a wide variety of backgrounds, contemporary specialists make up half of this year’s top 10 dancers: Benjamin Castro, Gino Cosculluela, Madison Jordan, Sophie Pittman and Mariah Russell all represent that style. They’re joined by two hip-hop dancers (Bailey Munoz and Anna Linstruth), two ballroom dancers (siblings...
- 8/13/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
“So You Think You Can Dance” starts its live shows tonight, August 12, with the top 10 dancers competing for audience votes for the first time. But our readers are already telling us who they think will win the season and who they think should win. Scroll down for our odds and poll results.
As of this writing, contemporary specialist Madison Jordan is the front-runner to win the show with leading odds of 29/20 based on the combined predictions of Gold Derby users who have placed their bets here in our predictions center. She’s the most senior of this year’s top 10 contestants at the ripe old age of 21, and she got plenty of screentime during the pre-recorded shows thanks to her skill, stage presence, and inspirational backstory of coping with hair loss as the result of alopecia. Ranked second in our odds is fellow contemporary dancer Gino Cosculluela with 9/2 odds, while yet another contemporary dancer,...
As of this writing, contemporary specialist Madison Jordan is the front-runner to win the show with leading odds of 29/20 based on the combined predictions of Gold Derby users who have placed their bets here in our predictions center. She’s the most senior of this year’s top 10 contestants at the ripe old age of 21, and she got plenty of screentime during the pre-recorded shows thanks to her skill, stage presence, and inspirational backstory of coping with hair loss as the result of alopecia. Ranked second in our odds is fellow contemporary dancer Gino Cosculluela with 9/2 odds, while yet another contemporary dancer,...
- 8/12/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
There are 10 contestants going into the “So You Think You Can Dance” live shows starting on August 12. At this point it’s up to America to choose their favorite competitors, so whatever happened in the audition and Academy rounds is a thing of the past. But is the playing field really level? “Sometimes you’ll have people who are featured all the time and people who you really don’t see that much until you get right down to it,” points out Gold Derby senior editor Daniel Montgomery about the unequal screentime contestants get during the pre-taped rounds. Watch him and fellow editor Susan Wloszczyna discuss the top 10 contestants above.
Montgomery notes that tap dancer Eddie Hoyt has been prominently featured on the show ever since his moving audition when he told us his coming out story. Wloszczyna “would be so happy if a tap dancer won again because only one has: Gaby Diaz.
Montgomery notes that tap dancer Eddie Hoyt has been prominently featured on the show ever since his moving audition when he told us his coming out story. Wloszczyna “would be so happy if a tap dancer won again because only one has: Gaby Diaz.
- 8/10/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
“So You Think You Can Dance” is about to start its live shows next Monday, August 12. The judges have picked the top 10 contestants who will compete for America’s votes, but just because they’re the judges’ favorites doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be America’s favorites. So who do you think has the early advantage? Let us know here in our predictions center, where you can also forecast who you think will be the first contestant eliminated from the show on August 19.
The five women in contention are Madison Jordan (specialist in contemporary dance), Anna Linstruth (hip-hop), Sophie Pittman (contemporary), Mariah Russell (contemporary) and Stephanie Sosa (ballroom).
Then the judges picked five young men to join them: Benjamin Castro (contemporary), Gino Cosculluela (contemporary), Eddie Hoyt (tap), Bailey Munoz (b-boy) and Ezra Sosa.
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This is an especially young crop of contestants.
The five women in contention are Madison Jordan (specialist in contemporary dance), Anna Linstruth (hip-hop), Sophie Pittman (contemporary), Mariah Russell (contemporary) and Stephanie Sosa (ballroom).
Then the judges picked five young men to join them: Benjamin Castro (contemporary), Gino Cosculluela (contemporary), Eddie Hoyt (tap), Bailey Munoz (b-boy) and Ezra Sosa.
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This is an especially young crop of contestants.
- 8/7/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
After weeks of training and auditions, “So You Think You Can Dance” season 16 made its final eliminations before the live shows. In “Final Cut — The Top Ten Guys,” judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Laurieann Gibson and Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval decided the five male dancers who would move on to the live shows starting on August 12. So who made the cut? Find out below in our live blog with all the minute-by-minute developments as they happen.
Last week’s show named the five women who are advancing to the live shows: Mariah Russell, Stephanie Sosa, Anna Linstruth, Sophie Pittman and Madison Jordan. That meant the eliminations of Melany Mercedes, Ashley Sanchez, Sofia Ghavami, Sumi Oshima and Nazz Sldryan.
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So let’s hear it for the boys. The top 10 coming into this final cut were Benjamin Castro (contemporary specialist), Nathan Cherry (hip-hop...
Last week’s show named the five women who are advancing to the live shows: Mariah Russell, Stephanie Sosa, Anna Linstruth, Sophie Pittman and Madison Jordan. That meant the eliminations of Melany Mercedes, Ashley Sanchez, Sofia Ghavami, Sumi Oshima and Nazz Sldryan.
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So let’s hear it for the boys. The top 10 coming into this final cut were Benjamin Castro (contemporary specialist), Nathan Cherry (hip-hop...
- 8/6/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
A minor uproar broke out on social media when the Top 5 girls were announced this week on “So You Think You Can Dance” after ballroom dancer Nazz Sldryan totally nailed an high-energy hip-hip routine with Season 10 winner Fik-shun. The 21-year-old Glendale, Calif., native oozed attitude, appeared to be having fun and matched her All-Star partner’s every move perfectly. And that hip swivel at the end was the cherry on top.
Viewer reaction was swift on Twitter, with one fan declaring, This was one of those routines worth repeat viewings. Another rightly wrote, “Nazz Killed that. But while the judges “ooh-ed” and “ahh-ed” during her performance, Nigel Lythgoe hinted that Nazz was no shoo-in for the Top 5. He noted he was a big supporter of her work but acknowledged, “I have been fighting for you this week. I’ve loved everything you’ve done.” But it was not to be.
Viewer reaction was swift on Twitter, with one fan declaring, This was one of those routines worth repeat viewings. Another rightly wrote, “Nazz Killed that. But while the judges “ooh-ed” and “ahh-ed” during her performance, Nigel Lythgoe hinted that Nazz was no shoo-in for the Top 5. He noted he was a big supporter of her work but acknowledged, “I have been fighting for you this week. I’ve loved everything you’ve done.” But it was not to be.
- 8/2/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
This week on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Top 10 girls were cut to a Top 5. Some of the decisions made by the judges Mary Murphy, Nigel Lythgoe, Dominic “D-trix” Sandoval and Laurieann Gibson were bound to hurt.
But fans of show were quick to express their disgruntled reactions on social media after one contestant, 21-year-old Glendale, Calif., ballroom dancer Nazz Sldryan, was dismissed after she seemed to perfectly perform a sassy hip-hop routine to the song “Overseas” with All-Star and Season 10 winner Fik-Shun. That butt swivel at the end was everything. Even though she was way out of her comfort zone, the judges “ooh”-ed and “ahh”-ed over Nazz’s moves. Laurieann was even heard to utter, “Who is this girl?” See Nazz’s performance for yourself below and see what you think.
As one fan responded on Twitter, “This was one of those routines worth repeat viewings.
But fans of show were quick to express their disgruntled reactions on social media after one contestant, 21-year-old Glendale, Calif., ballroom dancer Nazz Sldryan, was dismissed after she seemed to perfectly perform a sassy hip-hop routine to the song “Overseas” with All-Star and Season 10 winner Fik-Shun. That butt swivel at the end was everything. Even though she was way out of her comfort zone, the judges “ooh”-ed and “ahh”-ed over Nazz’s moves. Laurieann was even heard to utter, “Who is this girl?” See Nazz’s performance for yourself below and see what you think.
As one fan responded on Twitter, “This was one of those routines worth repeat viewings.
- 7/31/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
No less than five of the Top 10 girls selected by the judges for the 16th season Fox’s reality talent contest, “So You Think You Can Dance,” were ballroom specialists. But this week, once the female dancers were paired with an All-Star guy as they performed a duet outside their comfort zone, only one was left standing when the group of 10 was axed to a Top 5 — Stephanie Sosa, 19, from Provo, Utah, whose dance partner and brother Ezra, 18, will compete to make into the male Top 5 next week.
They already made history by becoming the first sibling contestants to get this far in the competition.
See Exclusive video interview with ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ host Cat Deeley
But contemporary dancers are usually the biggest group represented on the show and three of the ladies who moved on to the Top 5 represent the style — Madison Jordan, 21, a Lake Elmo, Minn.
They already made history by becoming the first sibling contestants to get this far in the competition.
See Exclusive video interview with ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ host Cat Deeley
But contemporary dancers are usually the biggest group represented on the show and three of the ladies who moved on to the Top 5 represent the style — Madison Jordan, 21, a Lake Elmo, Minn.
- 7/30/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Hey, "So You Think You Can Dance" fans. Tonight, July 29, 2019, another episode for this 16th season did indeed air. It revealed who the top five girls are who made it to the Live shows this season! In tonight's episode, each top ten girl was teamed up with an all-star dancer from a previous season to learn a routine outside their style from a choreographer. After that, they had to perform the routine in front of the judges: Lauriann Gibson, Dominic "D-Trix" Sandoval, Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe. The judges then decided who all they needed to cut to come out with our top five girls. Contestant Mariah Russell kicked off the performances in tonight's episode. She was given a Salsa routine by choreographer Oksana Platero. Mariah ended up dancing with all star Jonathan Platero from season 5. After her performance, Mary told Mariah, "Your lifts are stunning. You had some real authentic moves.
- 7/30/2019
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
This week, the Top 10 female dancers who made it through the Academy rounds are paired with an All-Star guy for a choreographed duet. The twist? It is outside their own style. In our live blog recap below, we detail which five will survive and compete on the live shows on the latest episode of “So You Think You Can Dance.
9 p.m. Host Cat Deeley declares that the Academy “was the most grueling week our dancers have ever endured.” I believe she might have that observation on a tape loop – but I digress. “In the end, 20 survived. But it’s not over yet. Tonight, the Top 10 girls must take the stage for the final cut.”
9:02 p.m. The girls will be paired with an All-Star male and a ”legendary” choreographer. If that wasn’t enough intimidation, they must dance in a style outside their usual comfort zone. As Cat says,...
9 p.m. Host Cat Deeley declares that the Academy “was the most grueling week our dancers have ever endured.” I believe she might have that observation on a tape loop – but I digress. “In the end, 20 survived. But it’s not over yet. Tonight, the Top 10 girls must take the stage for the final cut.”
9:02 p.m. The girls will be paired with an All-Star male and a ”legendary” choreographer. If that wasn’t enough intimidation, they must dance in a style outside their usual comfort zone. As Cat says,...
- 7/30/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Despite pushing themselves to the brink of collapse at The Academy, So You Think You Can Dance‘s Top 20 contestants can’t take a breather just yet.
This week and next week, the judges will whittle down the Top 20 to the Top 10, selecting five gals and five guys to advance to the live studio shows. But in order to earn one of those coveted spots, the dancers must perform for the judges one more time, attempting a style outside of their comfort zones with the help of Sytycd All-Stars.
More from TVLineFall TV 2019: Your Handy Calendar of 100+ Season and...
This week and next week, the judges will whittle down the Top 20 to the Top 10, selecting five gals and five guys to advance to the live studio shows. But in order to earn one of those coveted spots, the dancers must perform for the judges one more time, attempting a style outside of their comfort zones with the help of Sytycd All-Stars.
More from TVLineFall TV 2019: Your Handy Calendar of 100+ Season and...
- 7/30/2019
- TVLine.com
There were some cruel cuts made on episode 7 of the 16th season of “So You Think You Can Dance” this week as the judges were forced to whittle down 64 hopefuls to a mere 20. The ones who didn’t make it that made me the saddest was hip hop girl Dezi Saenz and contemporary dancer Jarrod Tyler Paulson. On the upside, his sweetheart Madison Jordan sailed on through to next week.
But for every downer, there were several of my favorites who got a thumbs up. Popper Sumi Oshima (see video above), who portrayed herself as a bad girl during her audition, surprised me with her heartfelt emotion and poetic movements as she performed to “Skyscraper” by Demi Lovato.
Then there was the whirling dervish who is b-boy Bailey Munoz, who outdid himself while performing to Four Seasons’ “Beggin.” Unfortunately, his fellow hip-hopper and “Filipino brother,” John John Tarrayo, did not move on.
But for every downer, there were several of my favorites who got a thumbs up. Popper Sumi Oshima (see video above), who portrayed herself as a bad girl during her audition, surprised me with her heartfelt emotion and poetic movements as she performed to “Skyscraper” by Demi Lovato.
Then there was the whirling dervish who is b-boy Bailey Munoz, who outdid himself while performing to Four Seasons’ “Beggin.” Unfortunately, his fellow hip-hopper and “Filipino brother,” John John Tarrayo, did not move on.
- 7/23/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Last week 83 dancers entered the Academy on “So You Think You Can Dance” after impressing the judges with their auditions. The training was tough, and so were the cuts, but that was nothing compared to “Academy Part 2,” during which the judges narrowed the competition down to the top 10 men and the top 10 women. Find out who stayed and who had to go in our live blog below with all the minute-by-minute developments as they happen.
In “Academy Part 1” the 83 hopefuls were put through a gauntlet of choreography: hip-hop with newly minted Emmy nominee Luther Brown, ballroom with “Dancing with the Stars” supercouple Sasha Farber and Emma Slater, and then contemporary with Talia Favia. After a crash course in those styles, the performers had to deliver the goods in front of Mary Murphy, Laurieann Gibson, Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval and an especially withering Nigel Lythgoe. Not everyone performed clean routines after such little preparation,...
In “Academy Part 1” the 83 hopefuls were put through a gauntlet of choreography: hip-hop with newly minted Emmy nominee Luther Brown, ballroom with “Dancing with the Stars” supercouple Sasha Farber and Emma Slater, and then contemporary with Talia Favia. After a crash course in those styles, the performers had to deliver the goods in front of Mary Murphy, Laurieann Gibson, Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval and an especially withering Nigel Lythgoe. Not everyone performed clean routines after such little preparation,...
- 7/23/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
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