SYTYCD Season 5 Picspam
Caitlin Kinney / Contemporary
“It’s been everything I could have hoped for
and so much more, which is just wonderful."
Caitlin was actually one of my favorites during the audition process. She was in my top 4. As what usually happens to my audition favorites, I lost interest. I can’t deny what a beautiful dancer she is, though. She was a gymnast, so like Neil she combined dancing and gymnastics in her solos, and for the most part they worked extremely well. Her tour solo is beautiful! I remember she never had a solo the first few shows and she finally got one in Toronto I believe. So beautiful. ♥ Actually, rewatching her solos I appreciate them a lot more. Anyway, it’s too bad her partner routines were so hit or miss (though America evidently thought more miss than hit..), but she really established herself in the Bollywood and her solos. I also adore her personality, she seems like such a sweetheart. Also, can we please discuss the dancing condom costume? SUCK IT, I love that dance. More in a guilty pleasure way. OH COME ON, it was so not that bad!
Phillip Chbeeb / Popper
“I hope that if anything, I’ve inspired some people to
realize that you don’t need money or the option
the option for a studio or all those things… if you
just have the passion and creativity
you can do anything you want.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think there was a SYTYCD fan on the planet who didn’t like Phillip at least somewhat going into this season. I mean come on, dude has auditioned for 3 years and has gotten plenty of face time. There is no question Phillip is incredible and imo, the best at what he does. It’s insane. It’s enjoyable. It’s entertainment, plain and simple. Unfortunately, he got routines this season that were so out of his comfort zone. I’m glad he started off the show with Mad because it was an amazing routine, and I’m… sad he had to almost end it with the Russian Folk Dance (although made for great times on tour!) To be honest I knew from top 12 week he was going to get Hok’d, which made me slightly emo. Anyway, let’s focus on the good. Mad, amazing. I loved his Broadway so much. It’s ridiculous. Also kudos to him for jumping over a six foot couch. Let’s not discuss the Russian Folk disaster. The jive was hot! You know what, Phillip just rocks, alright? Let’s leave it at that.
Randi Evans / Jazz
“There is nothing I love more than performing on stage[…]”
I remember watching the Green Mile episode and they featured her, and for some reason I instantly liked her. I hadn’t even seen her dance but something about her I just liked. She just had this innocence about her that I loved, and Mia’s unitard speech made me lol. Usually I want to see a person dance before I declare them a favorite, but I had a good feeling about her (obviously I was right!) Also she’s from Utah. I love people from Utah. There’s something in the water there that makes them extremely talented. I need to move to Utah. Oh, back on track. I thought she did great in all of her routines except maybe the samba and Paso Doble. Okay, ballroom is so not in Randi’s forte. Also who’s genius idea was it to put the wig on Randi for that? I don’t get it. What’s so wrong with her hair? It just looked awkward. I’ll stop going on tangents someday. I loved her dynamic with Evan and the whole married thing (which I’ll get to with Evan), they were adorable together. She was such a star in the butt dance - also kudos to her for shoving her butt in front of thousands of people - and I enjoyed her solos a lot. She’s a smiley and bubbly person that her solos kind of exuberated that. It’s a shame she was let go so early. But I want to see big things from this girl. ♥
Kupono Aweau / Contemporary
“The challenge of it. Being on the show pushes you
to your limits and beyond!!!”
HAHA, oh Kupono. He makes me laugh. I originally liked him because he reminded me of Mark at first and Mark was my favorite guy last year. But then I came to like him because a) I wanted to be his best friend, b) he was OCD and made lists - AWESOME, and c) he was unique. Now would be the time in which I comment on how much I loved the Ashley/Kupono partnership (PHONO FOR ASHONO!) and how robbed Ashley was. Although I loved Kayla/him too. The crash test dummies piece was one of my favorites this year. Gah, only Wade. It was interesting, and they both danced it great. I vaguely remember mumblings of people thinking Kupono wouldn’t last long, but I’m glad he did. He performed my favorite routine ever (Addiction) and some of my favorites this season as well (Vampires, Viennese Waltz, CTD…) So I do believe he surprised a lot of people. This is where I’ll fan girl slightly over Addiction. At the time I was annoyed they got another contemporary. But I am so glad they did. Addiction… tears were rolling down my face after. Kupono’s performance was so haunting. I didn’t know he had that in him. Just haunting in such a beautiful way.
Janette Manrara / Salsa
“I still accomplished something great and I
still reached a goal that I think a lot
of dancers would love to and still might reach.”
She brought the Miami heat from the minute she auditioned in season 4. Such a fierce ballroom dancer. To be honest, besides Melissa, I pegged Janette for winning. I’ll state this again: SHE IS FIERCE. One of the most versatile on the show, imo. She reminds me a lot of my girl Chelsie last year who killed everything. I expected Janette to do well on this show and my expectations were definitely met. I was SO upset she never got to do contemporary. That could have been incredible. No, would have. Her and Brandon were the power couple this season, hands down. They didn’t have a bad performance. Ever. Even their worst performance was amazing (did they even have one?) She was a damn good soloist too. The one thing I had a preconceived notion of was solos - ballroom solos are never good. Janette’s were very well done. Granted she did one ballroom and one contemporary solo. Which btw, that contemporary solo made my love for her grow times a hundred. It proved how damn versatile she was. Also how robbed she was. She is also short and adorable. Also her and Jason are the cutest couple ever. Please be on DWTS.
Jason Glover / Contemporary
“Just as long as I’m dancing,
that’s the only thing that’s important to me.”
I had no idea who this guy was starting the show except that in his Bollywood he looked like Aladdin and I think Aladdin is sexy. Therefore, Jason is sexy. Understatement of the year. The spoilers for top 20 week made me realize I will love the Bollywood routine because of the use of Jai Ho. I did not expect to love Jason. Actually I went through a love/hate relationship with Jason. I loved him, didn’t like him as much, IIKM happened and I liked him a lot again, then the next week I was back to confusion. Then he left and I rewatched the season and I realized how underrated he actually was and how good he really is and I went back to loving him. Funny how when the dancers aren’t competing you’re more prone to love a dancer more, ha. Doesn’t hurt that he was a sweetie when I met him and wrote “much love” on my autograph. Hearts in my eyes, let me tell you. What the hell did I talk about in this? You know what, Jason rocks. Speaking of If It Kills Me from like 20 sentences ago, SHINING STAR MOMENT. That’s what Jason needed and he delivered. That routine is all kinds of amazing.
Melissa Sandvig / Ballet
“The show showed me that I can do so many other things
and it really gave me more confidence as a dancer.”
I was never the biggest fan of Melissa, simply because her routines and her didn’t really do much for me. Of course now I appreciate all of these dancers more. Because I love them. Anyway, I always respected Melissa because pointe is HARD. Ballet actually is pretty intense. I also give her credit for doing pointe at her age. I know 29 is not old at all, but in the dance world, yeah it’s old. A dancers life is very short. And she dances on her freakin’ toes. No, never will be over that. Anyway, she had very solid routines in the beginning. None ever really stood out to me. Except the Broadway with Brandon that I have an irrational love for. And then This Woman’s Work happened. Hello, emotions. These type of routines are so controversial. I happened to love this. I cried, granted Mia got me crying the most. But this routine really brought something out of Melissa that I never got before.
Ade Obayomi / Contemporary
“Overall, I just want to gain more experience
and grow as a dancer.”
Ah, Ade. What a journey. Myself, and I’m sure a lot of people, figured Ade was just a forklift. I mean let’s face it, he really was a forklift for Melissa during their partnership. When they bottomed top 12 week I thought for sure he was going home. Then his solo. THAT SOLO. I swear my jaw was open because I didn’t expect him to be that amazing. Then I wondered why he wasn’t given a more pivotal role in partner routines because he really was amazing. I loved all of his solos after that too. He is an extremely strong dancer that I wish got him showcased more. LoveSexMagic was the first dance to truly showcase him, which was good. Love that pick. Speaking of Ade quirks, I use “yes” and “fire” daily now. Also his name is super fun to say. ADE. A Day. Hee.
Kayla Radomski / Contemporary-Jazz
"I think this is kind of every dancer's dream to be
able to dance and do what they love every single day."
Kayla was my favorite during auditions. She still is one of my favorites. Actually the whole top 4 were my top 4. Thanks America for liking me this year! Kayla’s audition is one of my favorites ever. It was beautiful, strong, great technique. I was so glad to hear how well she did in Vegas because I wanted her in the top 20 so badly. And she even worked it in the top 20! She never deserved to be in the bottom any of the times she was, imo. Her and Max’s pop jazz is so underrated. The Vampire piece was amazing. America is weird. I was actually excited when she was first in the bottom because I wanted to see that amazing solo again - didn’t quite happen. Then I realized Kayla needs a buildup. 30 seconds is not enough. Regardless, Kayla is a beautiful dancer. I’ve always enjoyed watching her. People have complained of ~no personality~ from her, but I felt she had it… she’s just a quiet and reserved person. I connected with her because she reminds me of me, actually. Have I not talked about Addiction yet for Kayla? Here it is: I LOVE ADDICTION. Like I said with Kupono, I cried. Just… incredible.
Evan Kasprzak / Broadway
“Most memorable moment? Standing on stage at the Kodak
Theatre and hearing 3500 people chant my name.”
This is where my bias may show. Evan is my favorite. I’ve liked him since his audition, loved him since Vegas week (Worst Mafia Ever! Oh my Tevan!) I voted for him 2 hours every week. I adore this guy. I’m so glad he was partnered with Randi because they are both short and tiny and adorable. Nigel always made me a sad panda when he talked to Evan (okay come on, the eyes comment was low. BB EVAN’S FACE IS FINE!) But I’m going to talk positive. Anyway, Evandi’s jazz was amazing. Just a plain old love story. They got good chemistry going on despite the fact that Randi is married. The butt dance… well obviously that was great. Only Mia could come up with that. Also, Evan had some amazing solos. He has such a big personality and his style of dance needs a huge personality, and he is just so, so Broadway. His facial expressions are the best in solos also, as you can tell. He needs to be on Glee likes yesterday. He also has that personality where it seems as if he lights up the room when he walks in. He’s just very smiley and happy and chill. Anyway, I found his routines and dancing to be underrated. And no, not just because he’s my favorite! Everyone talks about how his technique ~sucks~ and how he’s a ~bad~ dancer. He’s really not. He actually had very good technique that got overshadowed by obvious powerhouse dancers Brandon, Kayla, Ade, & Jeanine. His lines were great. Which brings me to 2 very underrated routines: Evan/Randi Broadway (slightly more intricate than the OTT show Tyce puts on… possibly why it wasn’t well received) and Evan/Jeanine jazz. Which I am slightly obsessed with. Slightly. I remember how nervous I was finale night, but how happy I felt when 3500 people chanted his name. SERIOUSLY. My heart burst.
Brandon Bryant / Contemporary
“But if its something you love
it’s a very rewarding and growing experience.”
I was so upset in season 4 when Brandon never made it. It turned out okay because I ended up loving Gev and Brandon made the top 2 in 5Alive! There’s no doubt about it, Brandon is an incredible dancer. I felt bad for him in Vegas when the judges were so harsh on him, since I didn’t think he ever did bad the times they showed him in Vegas? I’m glad he proved them wrong. You know what’s really surprising? How good he is at ballroom. Granted he got paired with a fierce salsa dancer but he held his own and worked it in the Argentine Tango and Cha Cha! He was probably the strongest partner in terms of *everything*. If Brandon was my partner and I had to do lifts I would not be nervous. Even partnering Jeanine with the Paso Doble he was strong. I’m talking about ballroom dancers for the fact that it blows my mind how good he is, I don’t even know… solos! What a strong soloist. He incorporates athleticism and dancing so well it just flows. On a slightly off topic note, I would pay good money to see Brandon do the Carlton dance.
Jeanine Mason / Contemporary
"I've spent my whole life looking up to amazing
dancers and amazing people,
and I've always wanted to be a role model."
Ah, Jeanine! My second favorite this season (in case anyone is wondering, my favorites went Evan, Jeanine, Kayla, Brandon - again, thank you America!). No one saw her coming. No one. It was probably extremely lucky she got partnered with Phillip because she gained quite the following through those weeks. This girl has it all. The total package. Personality, charisma, technique… she is the ultimate underdog story. She went from a little girl who just couldn’t dance to America’s Favorite Dancer. She’s also a huge inspiration to a lot of people - never give up on dreams, you know? Anyway, when she was with Phillip she never got her style, but she always nailed everything she got. Let’s not remember the Russian Folk dance, k? She started out with hip hop, the furthest from her style, and she nailed that. BTW I love Mad so much. Her first solo blew me away. I already loved her but her solo! It made me love her more. She is such a strong soloist - probably the strongest female soloist this season. And of course If It Kills Me. IIKM boosted her. That is the routine that made people go “girl has GOT IT.” IIKM was amazing, which obviously should be since Travis freakin’ Wall choreographed it. Her winning was just amazing. I may have cheered and danced a bit when she won. She’s the perfect winner.
Finale / August 5&6, 2009
"Obviously, technically she has this amazing skill, but she has this light and this personality - and that's what is so great. It translates through the glass, through the TV, and that's what makes people pick up the phone." - Evan Kasprzak
"She's really open, and she says what she wants to say,
and she's very loud, so you always know it's Jeanine!" - Kayla Radomski
“To describe Jeanine in one word, it would be unique. You just don’t find dancers like her. She has beautiful lines, is funky and charismatic, and has so much life onstage. Not only does it show in her movement but also on her face. Jeanine is a brilliant performer and one of my favorite people to watch - not just in our group, but out of any dancer I’ve seen, from Gregory Hines to Gene Kelly.” - Jason Glover
“I never thought auditioning for this show
would lead me to such amazing people.” - Jeanine Mason
I LOVE 5 ALIVE
A few notes...
- This is my first picspam. I had to leave out some pictures. I suck at sizing.
- I only did the the top 12 on tour.
- I LOVE COMMENTS. They are appreciated.
- So not dialup friendly.
- I worked hard on this so please don't steal for icons or anything.