Three words immediately come to my mind with this episode: Oh my God! This week's So You Think You Can Dance came at us with the final dance-off. Four dancers competed, and this time next week only one will be named winner. If you think the level of competition had been tough up to this point, tonight blew all previous weeks out of the water with the dancing and skill demonstrated by the dancers. One dancer stood out from the remaining four, but before I tell you who I think should win this competition, let's talk about this week's episode.…
Article comments
26 - sharon
I dont appreiciate how people compare jamile to other people in other genres but the sad thing is no one can compare to jamile when it comes to hip hop.... if jamile had hip hop every week or a matter of fact if everyone got to dance to their 2 favorite genres(each pertner pick their own genre) then im pretty sure people wouldnt be saying the same thing i think he does deserve to be there it not easy learning how to dance to a genre that you just learned. i dont think there is enough people online to support jamile. and he does not only have black vote because im a caucasain woman. i also agree thats very ignorant to say JAMILE YOU HAVE MY VOTE
27 - Jessica
I was a professial dancer for eight years before I injuryed my leg. I don't think that America understood the training, hardwork, pain and practice that goes into the type of dance that Blake is trained in. He is an Amasing dancer! Come on America! This isn't a personality competiton! Blake and Nick are the most well trained. They must have gone though hours upon hours of work. I do respect Jamile for teaching himself how to dance and he is a great dancer but this competion is about finding the best versitle dancer. I mean Jamile is an incredible hip hop dancer but he is not very good at anything outside of his element. Blake is not only great in his element but in others as well. I believe that Blake should have won!
28 - Wootch
Whoa, Blake! I think there really is something to the fact that people assumed he was safe and voted to save others PLUS the fact that he wasn’t getting a lot of popularity fans voting to save HIM in the first place, due to the fact that people liked the others’ personalities better. This resulted in his doom.
That said, I am one of those many (or is it few?) who say it should NOT be a popularity contest and may the best dancer win. Of those that remain, I have to concur with many here including blog pals Julane, Kristin and Victoria who say that Nick should be the winner. As I mentioned last board, I am positive that he will be due to the heavy female demographics of this show. That’s part of the reason why Jamile has hung around so long---popularity. America, you may love Jamile, but you have been WRONG in saying he’s the best dancer! Color should have nothing to do with it and that means just that. Why is ANYONE mentioning it then! Whether YOU as a voter are white, black, purple or orange, if you absolutely think Jamile’s the best dancer, fine. But why? Whether or not chicks have a crush on him should have nothing to do with it. As much as I love my little leg girl, it’s gotta be Nick. He’s the BEST DANCER. Nick and Ashlee have done hip hop just as well as Jamile (Nick outshone Jamile in their hip hop routine) and they do everything else SO much better. Jamile pretty much only solos well although I actually think his best last night BY FAR was his jazz dance with Melody. He IS a good dancer. He tries hard and he looks good. But come on.
Other points. Debbi brought up the bit about judge Brian calling Ashlee the most versatile and then telling people to vote for the most versatile dancer. I was laughing at that myself. I actually have to agree with what he said though, but I think that applies to Nick as well. She has absolutely killed it EVERY week and has surpassed Melody for me. Nick has excelled at almost every style and his dancing is about as close to perfection as you can get. In the end, I looked past my Melody love and actually voted for ASHLEE last night. I think Nick deserves to win, (but he will anyway) so I had to throw something towards Ashlee. In EVERY style, she has been fantastic. (If Nick doesn’t win, you can blame me and I will blame myself).
Let’s face it people. All four of these dancers are phenomenal. While I think it should have been Blake and not Jamile in the Final Four, this has been a blast!!!! I enjoyed last night immensely and as a final note I’d like to add that I was happy to see my behind the scenes rehearsal clips return. A really fun series overall and we’ll have to see if they can keep up with the high talent level for subsequent seasons.
29 - Cathy
It's absolutely a shock that
Blake was voted off! So obvious that he is the best and way ahead of others. He is the only one, among them all, who has the real passion on dancing. That's the core as a dancer. Audiences and voters have to realize that artists are a group of people with unique talents in a specific area. They are not businessmen. They are not necessarily tactful and skillful on communication and public relationship. That's why they need agents, representatives. We must know what we look for from this show is talent and talented people, not performers with PR skills. Meanwhile, from the entire show I don't see any "cocky" behavior or comment from Blake except the one about Dan Karaty, which is actually a fair comment on this judge.
Overall this is not a very successful show. The background of the judge team is not strong enough. Dan who looks cocky and rude behind the judge table, should be eliminated. The pairings are not reasonable. Each dancer should have been given more opportunities. Professional opinions and the voters' opinions, each should take certain percentage. Once the show is not a fair game any more and the best dancer is voted off, it becomes less attractive.
30 - linan
Blake is the best one. He and others are not on the same level. His dances stay in my heart, others' in my eyes.
He is 21 year old , still young, if he did something not good , just talk to him, it was not necessary to bring that little things to national tv.
I come from a non English country, hope you can understand me.
31 - Julane
Wootch--"your little leg girl"! LOL As usual, I agree with pretty much everything you said. However... while it is true that it should not be a popularity contest, it is in the nature of the so-called "reality" show that the audience has to want you to win. It doesn't hurt if a dancer can connect with the audience; it also doesn't hurt if the audience kind of wants to be you. I think that's why everyone loves dancers like Fred Astaire and Gwen Verdon.
You all know I think Blake is amazingly skilled at both dancing and gymnastics, 150% in control of his body, but that's not all there is to dancing. Do people want to make him the one who will receive a fabulous NYC apartment and all kinds of money? Evidently not. We could all feel good about Nick, or any of the other remaining contestants, winning the goods, but I guess people didn't want Blake to have them.
Anyway, I am very intrigued by Cathy's post. We all agree that there were some problems with the structure and format of the show. Just for fun--and on the off chance that someone from the show is monitoring this blog--we should talk about all the stuff that bothered us and maybe come up with a less awkward, more workable format.
Personally I was kind of bored by the first few shows, with all the endless auditions. There were times when the TV Guide said it was 1.5 hours and it turned out to be 2 hours so my tape ended in the middle and I didn't even care. There was far too little dancing in those first bits and far too much other boring stuff. That one show where they called dancers in one by one and messed with them before letting them know whether they were going on or not--well, I seriously questioned my own sanity for watching that whole thing! I have a pretty decent attention span so if I was that bored, well....
I also had some trouble with the judges also being the choreographers. (This was a lot better than Dancing With the Stars where the professional contestant was apparently also the choreographer, though!) I thought the judges' moods were volatile (LOL about Scary Mary) and the comments uneven. Sometimes they would comment on the dancing technique, but more often they would talk about the choreography (making it seem as though that was the dancers' fault) or--and I could hardly believe this--stuff like how beautiful Destini looked in her ballroom dancing costume! (These comments on personal appearance were mostly about the women, although there was a lot of attention paid to Ryan's various hairdos.) Nigel was the most professional of the judges, but even he succumbed to gushing at times.
So: tighter/fewer audition shows, no more than 30 minutes for the "you're coming with us to Hollywood" results, a panel of judges who are not also the show's choreographers, some guidelines for what judges' comments should and should not cover, less-random dance pairings and style assignments, somehow having individuals put up for elimination rather than couples so a "bad" partner cannot drag down a "good" partner. Would be nice: show rehearsals every time, always have judges' comments right after each performance (although personally I could live without the latter). Last week's show where the couple would pick a style and then just magically be doing it was sort of cool just that once, but I do not think it would work if that happened every week because people would have no clue what went into the preparation.
Other ideas?
32 - Jim
I would really love to see a special dance off between Nick and Blake. I think a 1/2 hour special with the two facing off would be fantastic.
33 - Pic
I can only comment on the shows after they chose the Top 16, because that's when I started to watch the show.
Just like the choreographer of a piece can't judge it, I think pulling a dance partner and style out of a hat is fine but, if you happen to pull last week's partner or style, you have to choose again.
It might make it more exciting for the viewers if they had a list of the styles that are in the hat listed on our TV screen, and as people choose their style, that one gets crossed off the list on our screen.
I think picking the worst performance by a person, not a couple, is the right way to go but honestly, I think that's what the judges were doing anyway. They were just hoping America would "save" the good partner. They'd also have to pick the 2 worst of each sex, otherwise we'd end up uneven.
I also agree that they should edit the program in such a way that you always see the rehearsal/learning the choreography progress. As a former dancer and now a teacher, I would love for America to understand more about what it takes to be a dancer.
Final note, considering the popularity and general appeal of hip hop, perhaps "So You Think You Can Pop & Lock" should be the first spinoff of this show!
34 - Victoria
Wow, so many great comments! I think everyone's made some good points and I, too, would love to see a Blake/Nick dance-off---I don't even care if there's voting----just to see the two of them go at it because they're both so damn good.
What I'd like to see different next season: I really like seeing 2 guys battle it out and 2 girls battle it out. Those were some of the best dances yet. This random coupling and the very real possibility that a great dancer is dragged down by an inferior dancer is just not right. I think it would be more fair to have all contestants, say in the top 10 or so, perform the same dance routine to the same music. Then we could see a better comparison. And that would be all the different genre so that those skilled in hip-hop and those skilled in ballroom would get a fair shake. And it's really difficult to pick 1 best dancer. How about 1 female and 1 male? Although Ashle and Melody did a phenomenal job doing a "male" dance, how often are the women given that opportunity. So 1 male and 1 female.
I'll be out of town for a week and will miss the finale but will be taping it (oh God, please don't let the satellite dish crash). I'll be back to read what y'all have said on Oct. 10. I'm really interested in the changes you'd like to see in the show. Keep those comments coming! Bye for now.
35 - linan
Yesterday Kamilah and Blake were on Regis & kelly show, they danced Hip-Hop. It is cool! Once again Blake proved he is the best dancer in this competition.
What a pity! Blake didn't get a chance to do it in the whole program.
36 - mz sparkle
I agree with everyone here. Blake was stunned but he'll do just fine. He is the best! Jamile really came far and he does have "something" that is appealing. I think we'll be seeing more of him. Nick is very good and Ashle is such a strong dancer. A pleasure to watch. I enjoyed the show (except for the screeching by what's her name, geeze)
37 - Mary
It really sucks. I had my VCR programed to Channel 9 and they switched it over to Channel 28 and I totally missed the September 27th show. Because of that, they should air that episode again. Any chance of that? I am devastated, I have watched every episode previously.
38 - Julane
You know, they really ought to make the whole series available on DVD. I'd definitely buy it, not just to catch the big finale that I missed part of, but to go back through and review the earlier work of certain contestants. They could even organize it so one could find content easily.
39 - Donni
Okay guys. My first question is, how many of you actually voted?
Unfortunately, I mised the first half. When I got home Jamile and Nick were about to dance. I couldn't believe it!
I'm guilty of what someone else said. I didn't think Blake needed my vote. (Well in all honesty, I didn't vote for anyone, but I have an excuse, namely a two-year old and a three-year old). Anyway, I was so sure who the four would be that I was just rushing home to see them dance.
Someone made a good point about the votes possibly being split by race, but I am African American and while Jamile may have been my sentimental favorite, I was not blind to the fact that Blake and Nick were far superior dancers because they were so much more versatile. So anyone, like me who was watching for quality and not just race or popularity would have voted for Blake. I would have if I wasn't giving baths at that time. Anyway, I enjoyed the show either way and I hope they do it again next year. My kids loved it too!
40 - Jason
I agree with a lot of the comments. I was of course shocked that Blake was out because last week he had the most entertaining solo. And I voted for him.
Overall I feel Nick is the best dancer. (Better than Blake) His body control, discipline and versatility is superior to everyone. So he got my vote this week.
I don’t care what anyone says Jamile is made for T.V. I think being at the bottom for so long people get “solo fatigue” but he is very entertaining. When he gets comfortable and relaxes you can’t take your eyes off him. I just enjoy watching him dance and I’m not sure how much that should count or how you can measure that but it must count for a lot. Also he has the underdog vote.
Ashle is a close 2nd behind Nick. She took it to the next level and won me over this week. I was all for Melody until Ashle pretty much saved Jamile from public humiliation and out dancing Melody.
Melody also fell victim to the “solo fatigue”. Putting that aside Ashle was just a notch better this week. I feel Melody hasn’t peaked as dancer. She has some more growing to do and I’m sure she is going to accomplish a lot. Melody also has the fun factor going for her. I think that’s probably why Jamile and Melody get the most votes.
Best Judge: Nigel (When he smelled Mary’s glass for liquor I couldn’t stop laughing)
Worst Judge: Mary (Nigel should have checked her nose for crack)
Best Choreographer: Shane (Jamile can thank him for some of his popularity)
Worst Choreographer: Alex (He depends too much on tricks and stunts)
In conclusion, my favorite dancers Jamile and Melody should lose to Nick or Ashle.
41 - Diana
I feel that the reason Blake got voted off was for one he was cocky from the begining and when the judges told them what they felt about his dances in the some of the dances he did he gave some faces and body movememt as if what ever or I do not care what they think, it's what the audience feels that matters ! So that did not go over well with the audience plus I feel there are a lot of people out there in the audience that like hip hop and seem to lean towards that menu instead of other types of dance! Plus Jamile came from a hard luck life were he might not of ever walked and now he is dancing pretty darn good so ones are taken with that ! Good for him! But in all of the weeks that I have been glued to this dance contest I do believe as most others do NICK should win and then probably Ashlee or Melody ! Nick and Melody are a great couple to watch dance together. I wonder if any of them will hook up to dance as a couple in competition after this or for shows ! The only problem I have for ones in the audience voting like the one show Dances with the stars is THE AUDIENCE IS PREJUDICE in a lot of ways ! For we start off liking a certain personality or maybe we know this person so we vote for them even though they aren't the best! So I have a problem with that. That is were I wish the judges had more say so. Though I think the ones on Dances with the stars tend to lean towards GOOD LOOKING LADIES THAT HAD NOT MUCH ON ! So I feel it is always hard to get a un bias voting for any type of competetion! Looking forward to next season though ! I hope I made sense ! You all have a great day and keep dancing !
42 - erin
Personally I am glad that Blake got voted off. Whether people realize it or not, attitude really does count.
Nick can dance and many times proved himself to be a much more versatile dancer then Blake.
I am also glad that Jamille made it further than Blake because week after week he had to perform out of his element and it was then that he showed just how much heart he actually had. A big part of dance is being able to show just how much you love it!
I am hoping, however, for Nick to win! He is a great all around dancer and has just as much heart as Jamille!
43 - CT
Ok everyone, let Blake GO! of the 5 million voters, how many of them even remeber that he was the one with the Beef with Dan Karaty in the selection show? I know i didn't remember which one it was. He was voted off because he didn't connect.
America loves to be in love with their winners, they want to connect. I just don't think Blake connected.
The millions of American's who vote are not professional dancers, nor do they seem to care as much about training and technique as a professional dancer would. You can tell from the judges how they stopped commenting so much about technique and started giving the warm and fuzzies.(you look great, that was hot, or the crazy Mary yell)
What i can't believe is how horrible the choreography was for the HIP HOP between Nick and Jamile ) it blew - Hello! compared to Shane Sparks and Brian Friedman's Hip Hop choreography... this was pretty lame at best! I think that's why Jamile didn't shine so much. You can't make chicken soup our of that choreography.(translated chicken s@@#)
If Jamile and Kamilah had done Shane's choreography from the final show, no one would have said that Nick and Ashle "looked good". The choreography was great, the dancing was... well NOT. Nick and Ashle would never be the choice for a Hip Hop booking PERIOD. Shame on the judges for that one.
Each one of the finalists have blown a dance not in their element, and each of them have surprised us with dances out of their element.
Blake was great, but the finalist (all of them) deserve to be there!
end of rambling...
44 - mini-me
Stop talking about black and white or any other combination of colors people. The more you talk about it, the more racist you sound. We’re talking about a dance talent competition here. As much as I LOVE Jamile’s hip-hop, I have to admit, his other dance routines were sometime painful to watch. It’s like watching Allan doing a lyrical with Melody…awkward as hell! Most of the talented girls Jamile got partnered up with always end up in the bottom 2 or 3. I was mad as hell when Melissa got voted off…she was one of my favorites. Nevermind that her performances throughout the competition were flawless, she was put on a chopping block because her partner (Jamile) failed her and she had to compete against an equally talented Ashle. Everyone has their favorite but come-on! Ryan was my favorite but I was not sorry that he was out voted because I knew he didn’t deserve to win.
And I believe Brian’s comment about voting for the most versatile dancer has its valid meaning. America SHOULD vote for the most versatile dancer…but that doesn’t necessarily mean Ashe…just anyone except for the only non-versatile dancer which is you know who. Sorry if it sounds like I’m bashing Jamile because I am. That dude’s special talent stops at hip-hop. Blake might have been a jerk in the beginning, but voting off the best all-around dancer against the worst dancer was downright unfair.
45 - Heather
As a former dancer, attitude is a lot. INthe dance world we are treated as an instrument and we need to be able to let the choreographer use us to make their art. Having a volitile personality gets you in trouble. I think Blake was hands down the most exciting thing I have seen dance in a long time but if I had to pick between him or Nick I would pick Nick for his talent and his personality. He really is the best dancer I have seen up there.
46 - mz sparkle
This is so interesting. We've had a couple of angry comments that seemed out of place. Stage precence, the "IT" factor, charisma, doesn't come in any color. That "feel the music gene", dance gene, doesn't come in any color.
I really enjoyed the show. I hope you all dance every day.
47 - Rob
As a retired professional dancer/choreographer, I just ate up every second of these shows, taped every one. But as soon as they announced "America's vote" I got ready for the usual disappointment...teeny-bopper amateur popularity contest. Ever take a good look at the audience? Anyone there over 30? Hmmmmm. Voting off the #1 dancer (Blake) was appalling and just proves why only professionals should be the deciding factor in these competitions.
Jamile??? He seems like a great guy, and a good faker. However, America conveniently put aside one of the most critical aspects of the shows: the cameras rolling in the classroom after the couples picked their dance style! Hello! And never even hearing of certain dance styles, let alone the steps? Give me a break.
Yes, I have my opinions too. If I was the final judge? It would be Blake,Ashley,Nick,Artem,Craig,Destini, Snow,Melody...pretty much in that order. Way back when Nigel was auditioning (with his wife), he made the ultimate profound statement: those who are ballet trained have the edge in all styles of dance. Amen. Blake and Ashley always came through with their training and diversity. Rarely, if ever, did they find something completely foreign to them when they were taking class. They are a dance company's dream because beginner/intermediate basics do not have to be taught to them...unlike many of the other contestants. America loves Nick and Melody because of their cutesy smiles. However, Melody's weakness is turns! In looking back at the shows, she avoids them and relies on that leg extension. Last week's show was very noticeable. She managed a double pirouette and a single attitude turn. Big whoop.
Nick is wonderfully trained but needs less boyishness and more fire. Artem was heads over all the guys when it came to raw maturity.
Also: all the dancers are at the mercy of the choreographers. And it became very apparent as time went on that some of the choreography was knocked down from Advanced to whatever the dancer(s) could handle. That's very unfair.
In talking with my old dance buddies, we all agree on some format changes:
(1) If this show is about 1 dancer winning, then all the dancers need to solo every show.
(2) Forget picking papers from a hat. It's amateur...and can end up being unfair as well. Have every dancer/couple do the same style of dance from each category. There can still be diversity with choreography, costumes, music, etc.
This eliminates the same 'ol, same 'ol. How absurd in the world of dance that "Broadway" didn't even show up until 2 weeks ago. Ditch the hat!
This type of competition would sure separate the men from the boys!
And let's face it. If 5-6 couples had to EACH dance a Paso Doble, dance professionals need to judge; not those who have never seen one until now.
48 - Banana Bandana
I am VERY happy Blake was voted off. I knew once he was actually put up for a vite he would be a goner because even though a lot of people I know think he's a good dancer we all thought he seemed like a big jerk. I'm not going to vote for a jerk and I'm glad the jerk won't wim.
Nick is a WAY better dancer plus he seems totally nice. I hope he wins!!!
49 - Julane
I am really enjoying this blog!
Jason: "Nigel should have checked [Mary's] nose for crack," LOL! Very insightful comments from all, especially Rob, who clearly knows what he's talking about. I really hope the organizers (?) of the show read this blog because there have been a lot of good ideas about how the show could be better structured. It could be a lot more fair, more interesting and more entertaining.
Is it just me or is there some convention about "reality" shows that I'm missing? I have not watched any reality shows other than this one and "Dancing With the Stars" (or "Wiggling Around the B-Listers," as one wag put it). It seems as though bogus dramas like the business about Blake's attitude are manufactured for the viewing audience. Not to seem incredibly paranoid, but is it possible these things are all planned in advance? I wonder.
Anyway, I can only hope that a topnotch, versatile trained dancer with serious chops wins, and not someone with a charming smile and a dramatic triumph-over-adversity story but not a lot of skill. 'Nuff said?
50 - Richard Gomez
WOW, MELODY!!! SHE WAS AMAZING!!! SUPERB!!! SPLENDID!!! EXQUISITE!!! TERRIFIC!!! BRILLIANT!!! EXTRAORDINARY!!! ASTONISHING!!! OUTSTANDING!!! MAGNIFICENT!!! EXCELLENT!!! FANTASTIC!!! AM I RUNNING OUT OF ADJECTIVES? SHE NAILED ALL THE DANCES!!! THE FIRST DANCE WITH NICK, WHAT CHEMISTRY, ARTISTRY, AND FEELING? YES FEELING, AND THERE WAS NO SMILING FACE ON THERE. LOTS OF GUSTO!!! THEY DEFINITELY WERE THE BEST PAIRS IN THE WHOLE COMPETITION WITHOUT QUESTION. THAT PASO DOBLE WAS AWESOME!!! THEN SHE DANCED WITH ASHLEY, AND WOW!!! THE ENERGY, THE TENSION, THE ATHLETICISM WAS REALLY EVIDENT!!! ALL THE BRUISES REALLY PAID OFF. THE GIRLS BLEW THE GUYS AWAY. THE GUYS TOGETHER (NICK AND JAMILLE PAIRED) WAS OUT OF SYNC. THEN WHEN MELODY AND JAMILLE WERE PAIRED, I WAS KIND OF SAYING, OH OH THIS MIGHT NOT WORK COZ OF THE HEIGHT, THEY NEVER DANCED BEFORE, AND JAMILLE MIGHT NOT MATCH MELODY AND IT MIGHT GO OUT OF SYNC. WELL, GEEZ!!! I GUESS, MELODY GOT JAMILLE'S TALENT COME OUT COZ THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME AND HIS SOLO, JAMILLE REALLY SHOWED HIS TALENT OR ATLEAST COMPARE WITH THE OTHER 3 IN THIS STAGE OF THE GAME. WOW, PAULA ABDUL WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD OF THAT PERFORMANCE!!! THEY SHOWED ROUGH AND TOUGHNESS AND SENSUALITY. IT WAS AMAZING!!! MELODY HAS NOW INCORPORATED ALL TYPES OF FEELINGS IN HER DANCES AND THAT MY FRIEND TAKES YRS TO ACCOMPLISH. SHE IS IN THE NEXT LEVEL AND DESERVES TO WIN THIS COMPETITION. WHATEVER HAPPENS, IF MELODY WINS IT, SHE DEFINITELY DESERVES IT. IF MELODY LOSSES, IT'S NOT ABOUT HER DANCING AT ALL. ONE WORD FOR MELODY= CHAMPION!!!
51 - Darryl
I didnt see the final 4 dance but my mom taped it so when i go home, i will watch it i cant wait to see the tape
52 - Ritchie Macabale
I am glad to see 3 Filipino Americans doing well in this show "So you think you can dance" Melody, Ryan and Allan have all shown their talents to America and possibly the world if this show does well like American Idol which is shown worldwide. Since Im a Filipino American myself, I know that many filipino americans have singing and dancing talents. If you have gone to any filipino parties, you would know that many sing and dance and there are quite a few who can really do them well. It's about time that the rest finds out about it as well. Here are some of the filipino americans who are showing their talents to america and the world:
1. Leah Salonga- Tony Award Winner for Best Actress of Miss Saigon. Was the lead in Flower Drum Song, played in Les Miserable, sang in 1st original Alladin (A whole new world) Mulan etc.
2. Tia Carrere- Actress in Waynes World, True Lies
3. Phoebe Cates- part filipina actress in Gremlins.
4. Rob Schneider- Comedian in Deuce Bigolow.
5. Angela Perez Baraquio- Miss America 2001, Miss Hawaii, The 1st Miss America of Asian Descent.
6. Jennifer Rosales- LPGA Tour Winner
7. Manuel Pacquiao- Featherweight Boxing Champion of the world 2003 to present.
8. Lou Diamond Philipps- Actor in La Bamba and many movies. He is part filipino and not Mexican.
9. Allan Pineda Lindo- Also known as "APL" who is the rapper on the Black Eyed Peas group.
10. Efren Reyes Jr.- his own tv show (karate/drama) Sidekick (the kid actor)
11. Giovanie Pico- Actress in E.R.
12. Maria Ressa- CNN Journalist/Asia Correspondent
The most famous filipino american and many dont even know is:
13. Enrique Iglesias- Singer, son of Spainish singer Julio Iglesias and Spanish Mestiza Philippine Socialite Isabel Prysler.
I can go on and on like, Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco on American Idol Season 3. A baseball player in New York Mets called the Hawaiian Punch. A former Hawaii Governor of filipino ancestry. A Daly City Mayor of filipino ancestry in California. The current and newly appointed Executive Chef in the White House- Cristeta Comerford. She's the first woman ever and the first minority to be the Executive Chef in the White House. Countless of filipino journalists around the country. etc. Go Filipino Americans and show your talents to the world!!! We hope to see more of you out there!!!
53 - roni wolf
I agree with the majority of posts that Blake was an awesome dancer but I'm not sure he really deserved to win the whole thing. I never saw enough expression on his face when he was dancing. Nick, Melody and Kamilah all had beautiful expression when they danced. I loved the way that Nick got into character when doing disco, hip hop and the pasa doble. He looks like he's really enjoying himself. While technically excellent, Blake sometimes looked like he wasn't happy about the dance he was doing. When Blake danced with Ashlee and had to look like a greaser I got the impression that he felt foolish, kinda like he was better than that. His expression when get got sent home also said alot. He thought he had it locked up. Blake has made it very clear that he's "already a professional dancer" on more than one occasion.
I don't think that Ashlee shows enough expression either. She's versatile and a very strong dancer but I just don't get the same feeling watching her as I do Nick and Melody. I have to say that I hope Nick wins tonite. He's very good technically, takes others' choreography well, he's versatile and has a wonderful personality that shows every time he gets on that stage.
54 - Solo
Nick is an excellent dancer and along with Blake one of the best male dancers, but was he as versatile as Ashle in the various dance styles? I'm not a professional judge, and although I didn't like Ashle at first, I don't know what it is about her since others have made similar comments, but overall she appeared to nail all the dance styles and with rhythm. Melody did well, but she's more predictive/technical than Ashle. I wish we were picking a couple so that I could vote for Nick and Ashle.
55 - Taylor
I've been to conventions like JUMP where Nick's been a teacher there, and he is AMAZING. he has my vote.
O and i was wonderin do yall know if Nick or Blake is gay or straight?
56 - BUBBLEZZ74
i was working and didnt get to watch the final episode i need to know who won!
57 - Carl
I watched the final and Nick won. I think he should have. I was not shocked when Blake was kicked off, but I was disgusted. The show allowed professionals on. He shouldn't be penalized for that. Also, his attitude off the dance floor should have been irrelevant. Jemile should not have been in the final four. I love to watch him freestyle, but he can't dance anything else. How can you be one of the best dancers in America on a show that was designed to showcase a range of dance styles if you can only pull of one? There is no question in my mind that the final two should have been Blake and Nick and if they had let the judges (the experts) decide that would have happened. That is the problem with this country right now- no one respects expert opinion.
58 - Dana
Wow! I cannot believe all the Jamile haters out there! The fact that so many people continue to talk about how he didnt deserve to be there and how much he sucked, you were all the reason he stayed so long! Because of people constantly putting him down, it made people like myself vote for him 100 times more! Blake was an amazing dancer, but like someone else said, he was already a professional, he didnt need to be on this show. Ashle was an amazing dancer and in my point of view the most versatile, Melody had great technique but there was just something about her that didnt do it for me, perhaps the constant leg lift, which if I could do that I would prolly want to show it off, but not all the time. Nick was also an amazing dancer who could spin for days on end. I am happy that Nick won, however I am proud to admit that I am one of those people who kept Jamile going for so long! He stepped up to the plate time and time again with all those ballroom dances I think anyone would have gotten down on themselves, and while he may not have killed those performances, he never gave up! He had a heart of gold,and genuinely was grateful. So i guess the point to this long entry was just that I wish people would stop discrediting Jamile so much. He obviously got on the show for a reason and stayed so long for an even bigger reason. Do not discredit all the work he did to stay on the show, while he may not have had the best technique, or any for that matter, he brought the most excitement to the show! And for whoever asked if African-Americans were primarily voting for him, I'm a white female and I voted like hell for him! Thanks for listening!
59 - Kathy
I am glad that Nick won because he was truly a great, versatile dancer. I was very shocked and irritated when Blake was booted off as I thought he was an amazing dancer as well. I don't believe Jamile should have made it as far as he did. He's very good at "popping and locking", hip-hop, and all that...but not much else. I'm not a hater and I do commend him for doing his best with everything that was thrown at him. However, he's not an all-around versatile dancer and was always in the bottom couples. I think it was very telling that everyone he was paired with he let down (with the exception of that hip-hop number with whatever her name was.) I think Ashlee is an excellent dancer and deserved to be in the final four. Melody was very good though I don't think that she was as technically great as others. She also relied too much on her sex appeal...that leg lifting thing..and skimpy clothing! And was Dave Karaty hot for her or what!?!
60 - Tom
As a 41 year old former dancer, I was totally entertained week in and week out. I was inspired to dance and did ao every weekend. I forgot how much fun it was and how free it made you feel. That's the feeling I got when Nick would dance. Blake is a good dancer, maybe equal to Nick. They both entertained me but in the end it was Nick that inspired me.
61 - charles
I am so happy that Nick won last night. The dancers remaining in the competition were there for different reasons and yes perhaps because people just like them. Blake is an amazing dancer, but I think the difference between he and Nick is star quality. Nick possesses that energy that makes people want to look at him. I went to a few of the tapings in L.A. and was electrified when Nick would launch into his multiple turns. When he would leap unbelievably high into the air. When he would torque his body around in opposite direction of where you thought he was going. He addapted to all the styles great, even hip hop which i was worried about. I am a big fan of Nick Lazarinni and hope the best for him to reach all the goals he sets for himself. Actually I wish the best for all of them. Dancing is not an easy profession and comes with alot of inconsistancy and rejection.
62 - Cheryl
Well, even though Blake should have one, Nick was my second favorite dancer. Good luck to you Nick and all the other fabulous dancers on the show. I wish all of you the best.
63 - Diane
I keep reading the opinion that it's a dance competition and personality shouldn't factor in the voting. If that were true, wouldn't they have professionals decide the winner and not let the donno-arabesque-from-ecarte public have any say?
64 - Dance Fan
This by far is the most enjoyable reality show all year. I was shock that Blake was voted off ahead of Jamile, whom I think should have gone before Artem or Craig. Admittedly, he is the best when he is doing his specialty, but that is not the criterion of the competition. I have taped some of the shows and when I watched certain numbers repeatedly I was blown away by the precision, the lines and the intensity that Blake executed every time he danced. His samba routine with Ashle was really world class and he is not even a ballroom specialist. His lines outshone Ashle's by a stretch. Having said that, I think Blake is the best dancer but it is Nick that has my vote. He is easily a very close second, but he has that likeability factor that wins your heart.
65 - vanesa camara
I am a former dancer like many of the people who watched the show.I also did not bother to vote.It is plain to see that those of us who know about dance just assumed America would choose the best dancer.NOT!The fact that Blake did not win this contest is crazy.The problem is the format leds itself to be a popularity contest and NOT a dance contest.Technical excellence DOES matter!Yes Blake had a funky tude,I know lots of brilliant artists who are not humble people.Anybody heard of Sylvie Guillem?
66 - Rob
Reading these blogs has been almost as much fun as watching the show.
Julane: whoever you are, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your compliment. You made my day! LOL! "Rob" is my nickname; I'm a 54 yr. old grandmother now. Yet what a dance career I had...no regrets...the journey was more than fabulous. Congrats to you Nick...you've only just begun.
The blog by Vanesa Camara couldn't have said it better. Dancers have high expectations; not just from themselves, but from other dancers as well. We're moody, picky, jealous, competitive, emotional perfectionists! In other words, when it comes to watching and judging other dancers, we can be brutal...but we actually believe that's our love and respect for each other! LOL!
Most of my dance years were spent between NYC and Boston. I learned real quick that the most important part of my dancer's body was my backbone. It had better be tough. I believe I can speak for all dancers when I say that "your personality/smile, etc." is the outside packaging...the fluff. To make it as a professional dancer and/or choreographer you'd better darn well have the training, the technique...the center core of auditions. Without that, you'll be offstage very quickly. The outside "fluff" comes later...and much will depend on what your choreographers want. You must be a chameleon (which is what Blake was called).
There were a number of blogs mentioning the great Paso Doble routines. Not to burst any bubbles, but I lived in Seville for 2 years specializing in Spanish ballet and flamenco. Although ballroom is a different world from classical, the absolute best Paso Doble performed was by Artem (he got my standing ovation in my living room)...the choreography superb...obviously the choreographer knew a ballroom dancer of his caliber could handle moves that would have made Jose Greco proud. What a disappointment that we never got to see the best ballroom dancers together, Artem and Snow. Again, that amateur hat-thing.
I agreed with Mia. As I watched all the shows, if the dancer didn't give me goosebumps, I waited for someone who did. And that's how I based my opinions and formed my own list.
Now I can't wait to go back and watch it again...more critiquing! :-) Enough now. Let me leave you with my favorite dance saying: "Dance is that delicate balance between perfection and freedom...I say unto you: one must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star."
By the way: Does anyone remember the reality show from last year, FAME? That also depended on America's votes. Haven't heard a thing about the guy who won...what happened? What I do remember is one of the judges disagreed with America's final vote and got kinda cocky about it. Hmmmm.
67 - Tanys
ok, people, I don't have satellite or anything, so the channel that I watch is CTV. Well, Im starting to hate the station now, because when So you think you can dance was suppposed to be on, on Wed. It wasn't!!!! And guess what? I missed the final four dance off!@!!What the hell? I was so fuming!!!!#!#$$%##$^#$@$@ Omigod!!! So ya, I caught the finale on Saturday, but still, it suckjs!!! I'm so glad that Nick won!!! But really, for girls, I wanted Melissa or Kamila to win.Same with Melody. I think that the last 6 dancers were all really good. like, it was reallly hard to pick. Anyway, my fav judge is Dan Karaty. He's soo hot!!!! Ya, but Nigel is hillarious when he said that when Kamila's boobs popped out, he's like, "OH NO THEY DIDN'T!!!" sO Funny!! Ok, well, I LOVE jamiles and destinys pop locking. So cool. so amazing. Yes well, I hope theres a second season~~~ Bye bye!!! Candadian SYTUCD FAN!!!
68 - Melissa
Hey..I'm not sure if anyone still checks this site I just stumbled upon it but I was wondering if anyone knows who sings that SOS song that Ashle and Melody did?
69 - christopher castor
me, too was very much entertained with the show. i was actually pretty addicted to it. let alone that three of my "kababayans" are part of the great dancers (american - filipinos melody, ryan, allan) are more than enough for me to always finish my job as early as possible just to catch the show. nick deserves the trophy and melody, too.
70 - Stephanie Harvey
Which of the ladies won?
I'm so glad Benji won.
Great show!
Stephanie
71 - Ell
WHO WON????!?!?!?!?