So You Think You Can Dance 5: Top 20 Chosen

Posted by ERIN in So You Think You Can Dance

June 5th, 2009, 12:11 AM

Alex Wong cut from Top 20 on So You Think You Can Dance

Tonight we learned which dancers made it to this season’s Top 20 of So You Think You Can Dance. Below are the 10 fortunate females and 10 lucky lads who’ll be gracing our screens all summer (videos by MJS Big Blog):

Janette Manrara (VIDEO): I still can’t get over the amazing partnered flip/leg split move she did in her Miami audition. Too bad she’s on her own now because I could watch her do that over and over again. Ballroom dancers have a tough time winning votes because their expertise is in partnered dances, but she has some sass and could pull it off.

Vitolio (VIDEO): I like Vitolio! He had me at “I’m [so nervous that I'm] having a diarrhea moment.” This is the first we really learn about him: Vitolio was born in Haiti and was raised by his grandmother after his mom died when he was young. He had to move to an orphanage until he was a teenager but the School of Hard Knocks hasn’t slowed his dancing skills. He’s capable of some incredible leaps - and don’t forget that exuberant sense of humor. Me likee.

Kayla Radomski (VIDEO): I will also keep my eye on Kayla because as I’ve mentioned, 1) I loved her Denver audition to the Dionne Farris cover of “Blackbird” and 2) her sobbing grandfather absolutely pulled at my heartstrings. Who can resist sweet, supportive family members? Not I.

Kuponohi’ipoi “Pono” Aweau (VIDEO): For the sake of this blog, let’s start referring to this Hawaiian dancer as Pono. I was bummed that the judges made him cut his crazy, swingin’ hair. It gave him dramatic flair. I like Pono still. I don’t really have an issue with his allegedly “feminine” dancing. He’s very interesting to watch and proved that he has an adorable personality, too. I suggest audience members make signs for him that say, “Pick up the phone-o for Pono!”

Paris Torres, Jeanine Mason, Ade, Karla Garcia, Jonathan Platero (VIDEO): Well that was a bummer. All of these dancers made it through, but we don’t learn a damn thing about them. I believe Paris Torres was the beauty queen…?

Brandon  Bryant (VIDEO): Wow, this POOR guy. I couldn’t believe how venomous Mia Michaels was to him. Talk about a bittersweet victory: Brandon got a majority of votes to make Top 20, but neither Lil C or Mia were convinced he was good enough, and Mia’s comments became personal. Basically, she said she couldn’t stand watching him on the dancefloor, thought he was conceited and that he annoyed the “sh!t” out of her. Wtf? Is this the same Mia Michaels? I adore her work, but never knew she was spiteful like this. Turn off! Thank god that the other judges: Nigel, Debbie Allen, Adam Shankman and Mary really stuck up for him. I was particularly happy to see Mary Murphy express her anger at Mia’s comments and announce she didn’t want to put up with her “crap”. That deserves a scream: WEEEEAAAAAUUUUOOOOO! Thank you, Mary! I think Brandon’s dancing is outrageous and hope he proves Mia and Lil C wrong.

Tony Belissimo (VIDEO): The weakest dancer, but ooh lala, what a cutie. I still like Tony but he needs to work it hard to make sure the judges warm up 100% to him. Something tells me Cat Deeley hearts him, too…a bit too touchy-feely with the young lad, eh, Cat?

Maksim Kapitanniko, Caitlin Kinney, Melissa Sandvig, Jason Glover (VIDEO): Another montage of our Top 20 and we don’t know much about anyone besides Caitlin. Melissa Sandvig is the infamous “naughty ballerina” - wonder if it’s the last we see of the tutu.  

Ashley Valerio (VIDEO): Finally, after trying out for the show 4 times, she makes it. We don’t know much about her besides the fact that she’s obviously tenacious. She is all trembly, but is moved when she realizes how proud her mom will be proud of her *sniff*

Randi Strong-Evans (VIDEO): True to her surname, Randi is a stocky, powerful “tigress” of a dancer. She wears unitards all the time and I gotta say, they’re not particularly flattering on her and give her the squat, meaty gymnast figure. Mia makes fun of the unitards for a looong time, so let’s see if Randi continues to wear them (my bet is yes she will and she’ll forever be known as the unitard girl).

Phillip Chbeeb (VIDEO): Favorite popper Chbeeb makes it of course. I really want him to impress me because I haven’t seen much of his specialty and am not that into him yet.

Asuka Kondoh (VIDEO): Although her ballroom dance partner, Ricky Sun, didn’t make the cut, little Asuka does. Eh. I’m not won over by her either yet. If we’re going on ballroom contestants, I feel like Janette “split flip” Manrara is a better complete package. But to be fair, none of them have had much screen time, so I can be persuaded!

Evan Kasprzak (VIDEO): We knew they’d force the Broadway Brothers (Evan and Ryan) to face-off for the final spot. Sigh. Too bad because I liked older bro Ryan a bit more, but honestly, the two of them are stronger as a dynamic duo. I don’t know if Evan will do it for me…

Oh, and on a side note, mind-blowingly gorgeous ballet dancer Alex Wong was cut (VIDEO) only because he is still under contract with the Miami Ballet and they wouldn’t let him participate. That BLOWS. I felt for him and really hope that he’s able to return and compete in a future season of SYTYCD. What a bloomin’ shame for us.

So that’s that! Some of these dancers we know already and others have gotten zero screen time and need to work 110% harder to win America over. Read more about the Top 20 at E! Online.

To all of the So You Think You Can Dance Top 20 dancers I say: You’d better BRING IT!

2 Responses to “So You Think You Can Dance 5: Top 20 Chosen”

  1. Kathy Says:

    Adam Shankman had something to say about Mia and Brandon, while Nigel defended her. Read it here:
    http://www.snapcrackleandpop.com/2009/06/why-does-mia-michael-hate-brandon.html

  2. Sarah Says:

    So Ryan, who I believe will be ineligible next year to compete due to his age (he’s 29, no?) was told to come back later? When things like this happen(not even to mention the HORRIBLE issue with Natalie Ried), all I can assume is that Hollywood producers barged in and forced the judges’ hands. How infuriating. This is why I stopped watching “American Idol” after a few seasons…it wasn’t really a talent competition anymore. Keeping weaker dancers based on looks, age, and personality isn’t what I’m tuning in for.

    However, if one commenter from another post (http://www.homorazzi.com/article/so-you-think-you-can-dance-vegas-natalie-reid-robbed-rant/) is correct, then all of these eliminated awesome dancers could come back for the second round later this fall, as viewers are already excited about them so they would be willing to keep watching. I guess we’ll see.

    Anyways, thank you so much for posting this. I just moved this past week and have been completely out of the loop.

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