So, yay! We did it! We got through it! After many dances and many eliminations…Melanie Moore was announced the winner of season 8 of So You Think You Can Dance. She received nearly half the votes (47% to be exact). That is crazy! I have to say, when they announced her name, and when I saw Melanie just weep with tears, I began tearing myself. It’s weird. Last year, when Lauren Froderman won (PS…hate to be a bummer…but I think Lauren’s a much stronger dancer than Melanie overall but that’s besides the point), I was so giddy and excited…jumping up and down! But seeing Melanie win, just made my heart feel so relieved. Melanie was sparkly, and most important, consistent. She deserved to win. And I can’t wait to see what she does in the future.
Coming in second with an impressive 32% of the vote was Sasha Fierce y’all. I keep saying this week after week…but she is strong and powerful. Melanie – I grew to love over the weeks…but I’ve always loved Sasha. Since the beginning when she auditioned with her little sister.
Tadd and Marko predictably got 4th and 3rd respectively. All I can say is…Tadd is so versatile and I wouldn’t have minded if he had won. And Marko is an inspiration and he is definitely coming back as an All Star next week. Can’t wait!
The overall episode was pretty exciting to watch. It was nice seeing a lot of the past routines that the judges liked the most…and in response to that, I have compiled my list of the top 15 partner routines that I personally thought were the most memorable. From #15…to the best this season. Let’s take a look:
15. Caitlynn with Pasha Samba (Top 6) – This was an extremely solid and sexy samba. Caitlynn and Pasha just have some great chemistry. Those samba rolls are just steamy.
14. Marko with Allison Contemporary (Top 8) – A very fine and solid showcase for Marko. Allison is just beautiful. This whole routine was! Kinda similar to Alex Wong’s “Hallelujah” from last season? Maybe. But…still amazing! And those lifts…wowza!
13. Melanie and Sasha Contemporary (Top 4) – I just can’t get enough of the piece about trapped housewives. It’s so crazy and different. Sasha has the strength. Melanie has the emotion. Together they make an unstoppable duo.
12. Ryan and Ricky Contemporary (Top 16) – This is the dance that involved them being connected by a long ribbon. This dance required so much precision and focus, and these two deal with it beautifully. It looked so effortless…and not…at the same time. A dance I’ll remember for a while.
11. Sasha and Ricky Waacking (Top 6) – It really sucks this dance wasn’t as popular because I thought this routine was wonderful. So crazy. So enthusiastic. And it featured a lot of dance steps, as opposed to tricks. If the producers didn’t like this particular routine, I really hope they give this style itself another chance. I’d hate to see it go.
10. Sasha and Alexander Jazz (Top 12) – This was the smoky, bluesy streetlight inspired routine that almost had me in tears. This is Sasha’s strongest dance in my opinion. She looks so beautifully and literally floats in Alexander’s arms.Alexander should be happy he got to have this one final amazing dance before getting the boot.
9. Melanie and Marko Contemporary (Top 20) – These two have danced a bunch of contemporaries together. But this is the oh so special Travis Wall “statue” routine that strangely had so much life and heart in it. I was not a fan of these two before this dance. This dance made them the couple to beat!
8. Caitlynn and Mitchell Jazz (Top 12) – This is the “Piece of My Heart” routine that had lots of kicking and slapping and LOTS of leg lifts that gave me a cramp. Underrated, sexy piece that showed Caitlynn off well.
7. Melanie with Neil Contemporary (Top 8) – I don’t quite know what this piece is about…but I got the emotion from it. These two just form together like butter. That moment when Neil is carrying Melanie and she like lifts leg abruptly to the striking music…just see for yourself. Your whole world will change.
6. Caitlynn with Pasha Argentine Tango (Top 10) – Oh look! Another Caitlynn/Pasha routine! This one even better. There is a certain sophistication and class about this routine that just continually draws me in. Caitlynn is never given much credit, but honestly, she nailed the ballroom styles better than any of the other girls (besides Iveta), and this and her samba are proof!
5. Melanie and Tadd Broadway (Top 6) – This is the “dance student loves dance teacher” routine that was ever so heartbreaking. I love the story.I love how each of the dancer’s strength is used. I love the use of the mirror (A Chorus Line anyone?). And that end pose is just…again…heartbreaking! Melanie’s face says a thousand words.
4. Jordan and Tadd Viennese Waltz (Top 20 redux) – A waltz to contemporary music. Genius! This dance moved along so nicely. It was like a dream. In a season that’s been “ballroom challenged”, dances like these come along and they’re just so refreshing and beautiful.This is when I first noticed Tadd and saw his full potential.
3. Ashley and Chris Broadway (Top 20 redux) – Man! This was the “jailhouse” dance that famously landed Ashley and Chris on the hot tamale train. Chris is strong and acrobatic. Ashley is sexy and sizzling. They made a great pair and I missed them in the competition.
2. Caitlynn and Mitchell Contemporary (Top 14) – This was the Mandy Moore contemporary to Celine Dion’s “To Love You More”. Again, extremely effortless. Moves quickly. The moves they do are out of this world. I just think this dance is a contemporary dancer’s dream. They looked like they were in love. I just feel so happy after I watch this.
1. Ryan and Ricky Lyrical Hip Hop (Top 20) – She smiled because she was supposed to the happy memory. Makes perfect sense. People just want to hate for the sake of hating. This dance is musical, beautiful and the one I never get sick of. Go them!
So that’s my top 15. Overall, this has been very enjoyable season. I’ve really liked recapping all the routines. And…stay tuned for the X FACTOR coming this fall! I will definitely be recapping that so stay tuned and enjoy the rest of your summer. Yay!
But…don’t stop reading this blog of course. I still have other shiz I need to post.
