Argh, just as Max shows us what he’s made of, he gets axed. I’m shocked. I thought he so delivered in his Jive solo. I know before (when he and Kayla did a Cha Cha I think) I said I didn’t see that he was a great Latin dancer, but tonight I really really saw it. That’s was a world-class Jive. I love that he set it to Footloose. I love how planned it was — he really thought that out, and his choreography — all of those excellently done jive kicks, and that perfect multi-pirouette — was more than enough to show us how great a Latin ballroom dancer he is. I’m sad to see him go.
I really thought it was going to be Kupono, whose solo, as Nigel said “was underwhelming.” I think that’s a complete understatement. I have liked him on the show before, and I agree with the judges that he’s still interesting. So, I understand why they’re keeping him. But solo-wise alone, he probably should have gone.
And of course I love Jason and don’t even know how he got up there tonight. I think if he was booted I’d seriously not want to watch the rest of the show.
And the woman to go was Ashley. I guess understandably. I liked her contemporary jazzy solo, and I agree with the judges she was a real Hollywood diva in it — it reminded me a bit of Chicago — but I also agree that it lacked a bit of substance. And Caitlin and Kayla really brought it with their solos. Kayla’s was proof of how much she wants to stay on, even if it was filled with tricks. I hate how Nigel blames them for putting too many jumps and high leg extensions in — they want to wow the judges as much as they possibly can in those, what, two seconds. Of course dancing for your life means putting every athletic feat you have into it. I loved her routine. And I loved Caitlin’s and I’m glad the judges saw how excellent it was, because it wasn’t filled with a lot of tricks, and I was scared they were going to tell her she wasn’t “dancing for her life” enough. That arabesque penchee at the beginning was really remarkable – -better than I’ve seen a lot of pro ballet dancers do.
So we’ll have a new partnership next week: Kayla and Kupono.
I too was stunned Max was let go. I thought it was a no-brainer to dismiss Kupono. The women were harder – I would have liked all of them to stay.
I am in complete agreement with you. Caitlin's solo was one of the best I've seen because it WASN'T filled with tricks and had real emotional content. And Max's solo should have put him thru. My jaw dropped at that announcement. They don't have anyone else with Latin ballroom skills and I think the show will suffer from that. Kupono has less to offer, in my opinion. Still, I can't wait til next week.
I liked all of the women too! I think Ashley was an interesting dancer. I really thought Max was better than Kupono in the solos tho…….what are the judges thinking? So frustrating.
I am in complete agreement with you. Caitlin's solo was one of the best I've seen because it WASN'T filled with tricks and had real emotional content. And Max's solo should have put him thru. My jaw dropped at that announcement. They don't have anyone else with Latin ballroom skills and I think the show will suffer from that. Kupono has less to offer, in my opinion. Still, I can't wait til next week.
I liked all of the women too! I think Ashley was an interesting dancer. I really thought Max was better than Kupono in the solos tho…….what are the judges thinking? So frustrating.