SYTYCD Season 5: LA & Seattle

Tonight we start off in LA for the last (big) audition night of So You Think You Can Dance Season 5. With Joshua Allen in the audience tonight!

Leading off is:

Bianca Revels was back! She is an amazing tap dancer that made it all the way to the end of the auditions in Hollywood, but not to the top 20. I think she'll make it this year. All the judges are in love with Bianca Revels. They sent her straight to Vegas.

Brother and sister Xavier and Brynelle Blanton took the stage next... as a couple. Not that that is weird, but it was weird. The two hold hands everywhere they go. Neither was good. At all. They seemed very nice people though. No arguments or smart remarks for the judges...classy, and nice to see.


Debra Lawson started another parade of poor dancers. Nigel Lythgoe made a remark about her size. Please don't hound him for it. He was as politically correct as he could be. I thought he was fine.

Calico Sequiero(sp) gave a not so sparkling California Swing dance. The judges gave her the bad news and she took it like a big girl. Thanking them, guest judge Adam Shankman reassured Calico that he would dance with her. "Come on up," said Calico. Nigel Lythgoe approved the guest dance and it was worth every minute of air time. Calico certainly learned what a pro dance is all about.


Then Nigel called Adam to the mike for his critique. Katee Shean (season 4 third place) and last year's winner Joshua Allen came down for the critiques. Adam Shankman told Joshua, "...be careful, I put you through.." Adam got his ticket to Hollywood! Who woulda thunk it!

Asuka K. and Ricky Sun were up next. Asuka made it to the end of Hollywood last year, but was cut from the top 20. Both are excellent dancers. Ricky has improved a lot. The judges noticed Ricky's improvement. Asuka is gorgeous and both got tickets to Vegas.


Nathan Trasoras was the last man for day 1 in LA. What a great dancer this young man is. His spins are amazing. He reminded me of Travis. Nathan is only 17 and not eligible for the competition this year. Nigel gave him a ticket to Hollywood for Season 6. That ought to give him inspiration!


After choreography 20 dancers got their tickets to Vegas on Day 1.

Sonny Ramirez, a wrestler, kicked off Day 2 in LA. Popping and locking ...oh yeah. Sonny is awesome. Adam Shankman begged him to say he could dance other styles. All the judges agree that Sonny rocks. He has his one flare and shows every single lock...and does it smiling. He even involves his hairline. Off to choreography, hope he makes it.

Back the bad ones. Nothing to see here folks...keep moving.

Amanda Kerby took on the judges with a contemporary routine. She had a bit of a shaky start, then pulled it together. Amanda showed some beautiful lines and choreography. Nigel said he was lacking something from her, but he loves her beauty. Mary Murphy called her "drop dead gorgeous". Adam Shankman asked her about her dad (with MS) and told her to connect more with her emotions.


Philip Chbeeb showed up in the auditions this year...very, very cool. Philip went straight to Hollywood without even auditioning. He stuck around to dance with Arielle Coker. They did a contemporary/ hip hop routine. Philip just can't help it. It gave the judges a good gauge of his strength too. Nigel told Arielle Coker that she must be crazy dancing with him "you can't take your eyes off of him." All the judges agreed that she is good enough to go straight to Vegas.


Now we get to see just a glimpse of some more greatness. Come on producers we don't need the jokes, give these people more air time. I'll post as many videos as they release for the great auditions.

At the end of Day 2 in LA 21 dancers advance to Vegas.

On to Seattle!

Oh no, "Sex" is in Seattle.

Mia Michaels joined the judges panel for the final auditions.

Christopher Keller was first up with a partner dance. It was a mixture of several dance styles. Though not good dancers, it was kinda funny. Christopher should join a comedy group, his expressions are hilarious (and on purpose).

Nick Salsman "Nick Nasty" has some moves. He's a tattoo artist out of Oregon and he's bad... in a good way.The speed of his breaking and strength of his moves were great. He got out of sync and quit early. He said he ran out of energy. Sadly Nick has a bad attitude. Nigel told him he was disrespectful and he talked himself into a "no" from the judges. Nick apologized but it was too late.

And now for the waste of air time.... Day 1 in Seattle was not good at all.

Kelsea Taylor planned to take over (dancing to "Tore My Heart" by Oona). She had a weird little contemporary dance that was just weird enough to love. Nigel told her he did not want her to stop. All the judges loved Kelsea. Mia Michaels finally woke up calling her a "beautiful, disasterous weirdo".


From Day 1 in Seattle, only 4 contestants went to Vegas. Now that is a bad day.

Day 2 of the Seattle auditions promise more.

A Hawaiian dancer was up nex. He is awesome and Mia Michaels was mezmerized by him. He has a beautiful style, but he is feminine. All the judges compared him to Mark of Season 4. They sent him on to choreography.

David "Sex" Soller was back though, to ruin a good day in Seattle.

Leonid (something) from Kiev, Ukraine came to the audition with his made up style of dance. He claimed to be trained in ballroom and several other styles. It ain't happening. Nigel compared it to a rave party. Mia Michaels called for a battle between Leonid and Sex. Nigel approved the waist of time. Out of pure attrition, Nigel sent Sex on to choreography. Mary Murphy half-heatedly agreed, Mia opted out.

At the end of the competition auditions in Seattle 9 dancers moved on to Vegas.
A total of 169 dancers will join the SYTYCD choreographers in Las Vegas going for the Top 20.

Join us next week for Vegas baby!

I'll post all the videos as they become available!