Mathieu Young/FOX Being cut this early in the So You Think You Can Dance season can be brutal on the dancers since they just made the Top 20, but for us spectators, at least we have the small mercy of only having just met them.
So while it hardly seems fair to let any of these talented contestants go, we know someone has to leave, so let's find out who the two dismissed dancers were...
Eliminated Tonight: Goodbye, Max Kapitannikov and Ashley Valerio. After the six solos by Max, Kayla, Jason, Caitlin, Ashley and Kupono, the judges decided to eliminate Max and Ashley. Nigel said the judges felt that Ashley's solo had "no great substance" and complimented Max's work ethic but said he was "restricted by [his] ballroom style."
But Why? After the taping was over, judge Mary Murphy told us, "[Ashley] didn't really come out and do what we're asking: a fight for your life. She did not fight. I felt like she came out just kind of cruising...We all felt that Caitlin had a stronger solo, and without a doubt Kayla—since the very first time we laid eyes on her—has been one of the strongest dancers that we've seen on So You Think You Can Dance as a female." Nigel noted during the show that the decision to eliminate Ashley and Max was not unanimous in either case.
Looking Forward: Max and Ashley's former partners, Kayla Randomski and Kupono Aweau, will dance together beginning next week.
Key Moment: Also featured on the elimination show was a look at Ryan Kasprzak's audition for season six (he's through to Vegas!) and the bear-hug he got from the Other Brother. Yep, there's a third Kasprzak brother out there who hilariously wears an Other Brother shirt so we know where he fits into the family tree, but what's his real name?! Someone must know!
What You Didn't See:
- Caitlin's sister Megan held aloft a sign that said, "That's My Sister!" Megan's guy friend had a sign that read: "Caitlin's Dance Puts Me in a Trance." (So being hypnotized by a dance is...good?)
- From within the studio it was easy to hear that the crowd cheered the loudest for Phillip Chbeeb.
- During Ashley's farewell video, Kupono wiped away tears several times.
Can name the third Kasprzak? Do you think the judges picked the right two dancers to send off the show? Shout it out in the comments!