So You Think You Can Dance (season 5) finalists
Encyclopedia
This is a list of finalists from the fifth season of So You Think You Can Dance (US). Listed in alphabetical order.
dancer from Orange County, California. Ade started dancing at the age of 6. A graduate of Corona Del Sol High School, he currently attends Chapman University
, where Season 4's Katee Shean (3rd place) and Stephen "Twitch" Boss (2nd place) also studied. A dance highlight for Ade was performing at Radio City Music Hall. Ade had also previously auditioned for Season 4 of SYTYCD, but was cut after the ballroom round.
During Season 5, Ade was paired with ballerina Melissa Sandvig, with whom he danced each week until only ten dancers remained in the competition. One week prior to his elimination, once again paired with Sandvig, he performed a breast cancer-themed contemporary dance. This piece, entitled "This Woman's Work" and choreographed by Tyce Diorio
, brought the judges to tears and was subsequently showcased on a future episode showing favorite dances from the season.
Ade was eliminated during the semi-final week, along with former partner Sandvig. He eventually returned to the show as an All-Star on Season 7.
. She had previously auditioned for seasons two, three, and four. She was partnered with contemporary dancer Kūpono Aweau until she was eliminated in week two.
At the beginning of the Top 20 portion of the show, Asuka was partnered with contemporary dancer Vitolio Jeune. Asuka was eliminated in the third week of the competition.
Since her time on the show, Asuka has been partnered by Oleg Astahkov, competing in the professional Latin division, representing USA. They've won many Professional Rising Star titles.
Brandon's audition brought Mary Murphy
to tears. However, Lil' C
was not overly impressed with him, and Mia Michaels
went so far as to say that she didn't like his attitude. The tension between Michaels and Bryant, which continued well into the Top 20 portion of Season 5, was a topic which received much attention on blogs and fan sites dedicated to the show. Later in the season, however, both Michaels and Lil' C appeared to change their opinions of him for the better (much to the relief of both Brandon and his fans).
At the beginning of the Top 20 portion of Season 5, Brandon was partnered with salsa dancer Janette Manrara. He danced in the finale, eventually finishing the competition as first runner-up to winner Jeanine Mason
.
Brandon also subsequently appeared in the Glee
episode of "Bad Reputation" as one of the dancers in the "Physical" number with Olivia Newton-John and Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), as well as in the "Total Eclipse of the Heart" number from the same episode.
On November 16, 2010, Brandon appeared on Dancing with the Stars
, performing a contemporary duet to "Universal Child" by Annie Lennox
.
. Caitlin graduated from the Baltimore School for the Arts
in 2005. She also danced at the North Carolina Dance Theatre as an apprentice for two years, and is an experienced gymnast
as well. She auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance with her sister Megan, and they both advanced to Vegas. They both remained in the competition until the very end of Vegas week, when Megan was eliminated and Caitlin was selected to be in the Top 20.
At the beginning of the Top 20 portion of the competition, Caitlin was paired with contemporary dancer Jason Glover. She was eliminated in week five, which ordinarily would mean that she would not be part of the SYTYCD live tour at the end of the season (since traditionally only the top ten contestants were selected to be on the tour)--but in a surprise move by the producers of the show, it was announced on-air immediately following her elimination that she (as well as fellow contestant Phillip Chbeeb, who was eliminated on the same night) would still be included on the Season 5 tour.
. He is one of only two "Broadway" style dancer thus far ever to make it into the Top 20 on the show (the other being Season 8's Jess). Kasprzak was also the only dancer in Season 5 who never landed in the Bottom Three or Bottom Two. He ended up in third place overall.
. She has never studied salsa formally; rather, she picked it up from her family, who are Cuban
.
Manrara began performing in musical theater
at age 12, and started her formal dance training at 19, studying ballroom
, ballet
, pointe, jazz
and hip-hop
. Janette currently attends Florida International University
.
For the Top 20 portion of the show, Janette was originally paired with contemporary dancer Brandon Bryant. Like Janette, Brandon had made it through Las Vegas week during Season 4, only to be cut during the Top 20 selection. During her time in the Top 20, Janette received much praise from the judges; both Mia Michaels
and Nigel Lythgoe
said that Janette was their favorite female dancer that season, and Lythgoe went on to say he hoped she would win the entire competition. A tango she performed with Brandon was the first dance on Season 5 to receive a standing ovation from the judges.
Manrara was eliminated during week 7, along with contemporary dancer Jason Glover. Glover and Manrara reportedly went to Disney World together shortly after their elimination and subsequently became involved in a romantic relationship.
Post-SYTYCD, Janette was part of the "Bohemian Rhapsody" number performed by rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline during the "Journey" episode of Glee
. She also made her "Burn the Floor - West End" debut at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, England on July 21, 2010. Additionally, she is part of the current Burn the Floor cast, which is touring the United States from late 2010 through May 2011.
. He began dancing at age 12, studying Tap and Hip Hop, and is a graduate of Bullard High School. His favorite dancer is Michael Jackson. Jason was featured prominently in the Season 4's Las Vegas Week episode, successfully dancing for his life after the group round, before being cut following Mia Michaels' contemporary routine. After making it into the Top 20 in Season 5, he was partnered with contemporary ballet dancer Caitlin until she was eliminated in week five. In week six he danced a Travis Wall
contemporary piece with Jeanine Mason, which received standing ovations. He was eliminated in the top 8 week of season 5, with fellow contestant Janette Manrara.
dancer from New York City
. Born in 1987, Platero was a gymnast before he began dancing at age 16. He is a graduate of Seminole High School, was a World Salsa finalist in 2006-2007 and performed as a dancer and acrobat in “High School Musical.” He was paired up with Contemporary jazz dancer Karla Garcia but was eliminated in the third week. Jonathan can be seen as one of the dancer in the "Physical" number in Glee (Bad Reputation).
Karla is also an experienced hip-hop dancer and is a member of the Boogie Bots, who came in fourth place of the second season of America's Best Dance Crew
. However, she did not compete with them during the show.
, who started dancing when she was two years old. She was first partnered with Latin/ballroom dancer Max Kapitannikov, until he was eliminated in week 2, after which she was paired with contemporary dancer Kūpono. She received constant praise from the judges - Mia Michaels claimed she is "the perfect girl," Debbie Allen gave her the moniker 'White Lightning' (which would stick with her for the duration of the competition), and Adam Shankman compared her to dancers from previous seasons such as Will Wingfield, Travis Wall and Danny Tidwell, due to her technical skill. Despite this, she ended up in the bottom three four times. Kayla is possibly best remembered for her dancing in a Mia Michaels contemporary piece titled 'Addiction,' which she performed in week five with partner Kūpono. It was performed again at the live finale after a request from Nigel Lythgoe. She made it to the finale, finishing in fourth place.
dancer from Brooklyn, New York but was raised in Moscow, Russia. Max Kapitannikov has been dancing for as long as he can remember. Max Kapitannikov comes from a dancing family, and his mother is a ballet teacher. Max Kapitannikov also enjoys sculpting and playing the guitar. Max Kapitannikov attended the Manhattan Comprehensive High School. He was partnered up with Jazz/contemporary dancer Kayla before his elimination in week 2. His elimination was widely condemned.
The judges praised Max for being the hardest working dancer of the season.
. Melissa Sandvig has been dancing for most of her life. Melissa Sandvig has danced with the Milwaukee Ballet Company, LA Opera, Long Beach Ballet and Helios Dance Theater. A highlight for Melissa Sandvig was performing "Le Coeur Illumine" at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. She is the oldest finalist at the age of twenty-nine. Her partner is contemporary dancer Ade. She has gained the nicknames the "Naughty Ballerina" and the "Buff Ballerina". She is the first ballerina to make the Top 10 and to go as far as the Top 6. She currently teaches pilates, as stated in one of her videos on the show. She was eliminated on July 30 along with her former partner Ade Obayomi. One week prior to her elimination she danced a contemporary piece with partner Ade. The piece was choreographed Tyce Diorio and its theme was breast cancer. The piece moved the judges to tears. Possibly her most memorable piece on the show, it was repeated by judges' request during the finale. Later, in a special episode presented by Nigel Lythgoe, this routine was named Lythgoe's favorite routine ever danced on So You Think You Can Dance. Melissa can be seen dancing in the "Total Eclipse of the Heart" number in Glee.
. She was involved in a car crash that left her left leg numb, but still dances despite the injury. Paris is a graduate of Skyline High School. She began dancing when she was 6 years old and now teaches at a studio near her home. Paris was also a Miss Washington Teen pageant winner, and was a Seattle Storm and Seattle Sonic Jr. dancer from 2000-2003. She was eliminated in week one along with her partner Tony.
from Los Angeles
but was originally from Houston, Texas
. Phillip, who has had no formal dance training and learned "from the streets" began dancing when he was 15 years old. He is currently an engineering physics major at Loyola Marymount University. He was previously partnered with contemporary dancer Jeanine (the ultimate winner), until week 5, when Chbeeb was eliminated. An announcement by executive producer Nigel Lythgoe
said that Chbeeb and the female dancer also eliminated in week 5, Caitlin Kinney, would be going on tour with the rest of the crew.
Phillip had previously auditioned for the show during season three, but was cut in Vegas Week. He returned in season four and once again made it to Vegas, but contracted pneumonia and was unable to compete. He later danced on the season finale against Robert Muraine
.
Phillip's quote on dancing: "I started dancing around 15 years old, actually, pretty late. Instantly fell in love with hip hop dance and popping, mostly just 'cause it seemed like almost unreal what some of the people could do. It seemed almost unnatural, and I really kind of enjoyed the creativity that was in the art form, so, I jumped into that, and I've just been trying to progress and get better ever since then. For me there wasn't necessarily a performance that stood out as my first performance, 'cause I was just one of those kids that danced at the school dance and just tried to break it down in circles. I think my first battle as a popper, I think was one of the biggest experiences for me, because it was just a funny experience for me. I wore clothes that were way too big for me the entire time, and it was just the first confrontation with the one-on-one battle kind of mentality, trying to out-do the other person, and, I don't know, it was just a crazy experience for me."
He competed on Season 6
of America's Best Dance Crew
with I.aM.mE
. The crew was crowned the champion on June 5, 2011.
, partnered with Evan Kasprzak. Randi began dancing at an early age and performed in the closing ceremonies at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. She currently attends Utah Valley University where she is majoring in elementary education. Randi and her partner, Evan Kasprzak, did a number of their routines that were sensual in nature, such as one where Evan was centered around her behind . In Vegas she was noted for always wearing unitards, but has not been seen wearing them since she got into the top 20—despite wearing a shirt to a rehearsal that said "Unitard Girl". Randi was eliminated in week 6 of the competition along with Kūpono Aweau.
. Tony has been dancing for most of his life. He is a graduate of Frontier High School, playing on the school's soccer, football and lacrosse teams. Tony likes to write short stories and poems, and his favorite professional dancer is Barry Lather. His comedic solo in Vegas earned him a following, but the judges put him through into the top 20. During the Top 20 competition, he and his partner Paris were eliminated following a hip-hop routine. The judges agreed that in the performance Tony's personality wasn't aggressive, a quality they said was needed for the dance.
. Vitolio began dancing at age 18 and is a graduate of Florida's New World School of the Arts. Vitolio loves motorcycles, and his favorite dancer is Desmond Richardson. Vitolio grew up in poverty with his grandmother in Haiti
after his mother died following the birth of his sister. His grandmother eventually had to put him in an orphanage. This story was so moving that choreographer Louis van Amstel
decided to choreograph a waltz based on his story. His partner was originally Latin ballroom dancer Asuka, but after her elimination in week three, his new partner was contemporary dancer Karla. He was eliminated in week 4. Vitolio reached the top 14, despite the judges' declaration that he didn't always deliver in his solos.
Ade Obayomi
Born on December 6, 1988, Ade Obayomi is a contemporaryContemporary dance
Contemporary dance is a genre of concert dance that employs compositional philosophy, rather than choreography, to guide unchoreographed movement...
dancer from Orange County, California. Ade started dancing at the age of 6. A graduate of Corona Del Sol High School, he currently attends Chapman University
Chapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
, where Season 4's Katee Shean (3rd place) and Stephen "Twitch" Boss (2nd place) also studied. A dance highlight for Ade was performing at Radio City Music Hall. Ade had also previously auditioned for Season 4 of SYTYCD, but was cut after the ballroom round.
During Season 5, Ade was paired with ballerina Melissa Sandvig, with whom he danced each week until only ten dancers remained in the competition. One week prior to his elimination, once again paired with Sandvig, he performed a breast cancer-themed contemporary dance. This piece, entitled "This Woman's Work" and choreographed by Tyce Diorio
Tyce Diorio
Keith "Tyce" Diorio is an American dancer and choreographer. He is best known for his work as a choreographer and guest judge on the Fox television series So You Think You Can Dance. He has choreographed and performed with Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin...
, brought the judges to tears and was subsequently showcased on a future episode showing favorite dances from the season.
Ade was eliminated during the semi-final week, along with former partner Sandvig. He eventually returned to the show as an All-Star on Season 7.
Ashley Valerio
Born on November 1, 1986, Ashley is a contemporary dancer from Los Angeles who was originally raised in ArizonaArizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. She had previously auditioned for seasons two, three, and four. She was partnered with contemporary dancer Kūpono Aweau until she was eliminated in week two.
Asuka Kondoh
Born on January 26, 1984, Asuka is a Latin ballroom dancer from San Francisco, CA. At the time of her first audition, she lived in Irvine, CA. Asuka originally auditioned for the show during Season 4, but was cut during Top 20 selection at the very end of Vegas Week. Her hobbies include swimming, golf, and tennis. Additionally, she started playing the piano at the age of twelve. Asuka graduated from the University of California, Irvine, and had worked as a Latin Ballroom instructor for the last two years at the time of Season 5's airing. She auditioned for Season 5 with her friend Ricky Sun, also a ballroom dancer, who was eliminated at the end of Vegas Week.At the beginning of the Top 20 portion of the show, Asuka was partnered with contemporary dancer Vitolio Jeune. Asuka was eliminated in the third week of the competition.
Since her time on the show, Asuka has been partnered by Oleg Astahkov, competing in the professional Latin division, representing USA. They've won many Professional Rising Star titles.
Brandon Bryant
Born on July 26, 1989, Brandon is a contemporary dancer from Miami, FL. He began dancing ballet at age 10. Brandon is a graduate of Coral Reef Senior High School and now attends Miami Dade College. Brandon Bryant's most memorable dance experience prior to being on SYTYCD was performing for Madonna at her daughter's birthday party.Brandon's audition brought Mary Murphy
Mary Murphy (choreographer)
Mary Ann Murphy is a ballroom dance champion, accredited dance judge, and a judge and choreographer on the Fox dance competition-reality show So You Think You Can Dance.-Biography:...
to tears. However, Lil' C
Lil' C
Christopher "Lil' C" Toler is an American dancer and choreographer best known as being one of the pioneers of the hip-hop dance style krumping and for his choreography and judging on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance. In 2005 he appeared as himself in the krumping documentary Rize...
was not overly impressed with him, and Mia Michaels
Mia Michaels
Mia Michaels is an American choreographer best known for her judging and contemporary choreography on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance . She has worked with musical artists such as Celine Dion, Madonna, Tom Cruise, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, and Prince...
went so far as to say that she didn't like his attitude. The tension between Michaels and Bryant, which continued well into the Top 20 portion of Season 5, was a topic which received much attention on blogs and fan sites dedicated to the show. Later in the season, however, both Michaels and Lil' C appeared to change their opinions of him for the better (much to the relief of both Brandon and his fans).
At the beginning of the Top 20 portion of Season 5, Brandon was partnered with salsa dancer Janette Manrara. He danced in the finale, eventually finishing the competition as first runner-up to winner Jeanine Mason
Jeanine Mason
Jeanine Marie Mason is an American dancer specializing in contemporary dance. She is best known for her 2009 appearance as the winner of the fifth season of the television show So You Think You Can Dance - which airs on the Fox Network - becoming the youngest person to win the competition...
.
Brandon also subsequently appeared in the Glee
Glee (TV series)
Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
episode of "Bad Reputation" as one of the dancers in the "Physical" number with Olivia Newton-John and Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), as well as in the "Total Eclipse of the Heart" number from the same episode.
On November 16, 2010, Brandon appeared on Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
, performing a contemporary duet to "Universal Child" by Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox, OBE , born Ann Lennox, is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s with The Tourists, with fellow musician David A...
.
Caitlin Kinney
Born on August 30, 1987, Caitlin is a Contemporary dancer from Annapolis, MarylandAnnapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
. Caitlin graduated from the Baltimore School for the Arts
Baltimore School for the Arts
Baltimore School for the Arts is a public high school located in Baltimore, Maryland and is a part of its public school system. BSA offers concentrations in classical music, theater, dance, theater production and visual art...
in 2005. She also danced at the North Carolina Dance Theatre as an apprentice for two years, and is an experienced gymnast
Gymnast
Gymnasts are people who participate in the sports of either artistic gymnastics, trampolining, or rhythmic gymnastics.See gymnasium for the origin of the word gymnast from gymnastikos.-Female artistic:Australia...
as well. She auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance with her sister Megan, and they both advanced to Vegas. They both remained in the competition until the very end of Vegas week, when Megan was eliminated and Caitlin was selected to be in the Top 20.
At the beginning of the Top 20 portion of the competition, Caitlin was paired with contemporary dancer Jason Glover. She was eliminated in week five, which ordinarily would mean that she would not be part of the SYTYCD live tour at the end of the season (since traditionally only the top ten contestants were selected to be on the tour)--but in a surprise move by the producers of the show, it was announced on-air immediately following her elimination that she (as well as fellow contestant Phillip Chbeeb, who was eliminated on the same night) would still be included on the Season 5 tour.
Evan Kasprzak
Born on June 15, 1987, Kasprzak is a "Broadway" style dancer from West Bloomfield, Michigan and graduated from Illinois Wesleyan UniversityIllinois Wesleyan University
Illinois Wesleyan University is an independent undergraduate university located in Bloomington, Illinois. Founded in 1850, the central portion of the present campus was acquired in 1854 with the first building erected in 1856...
. He is one of only two "Broadway" style dancer thus far ever to make it into the Top 20 on the show (the other being Season 8's Jess). Kasprzak was also the only dancer in Season 5 who never landed in the Bottom Three or Bottom Two. He ended up in third place overall.
Janette Manrara
Born on November 16, 1983, Janette is a salsa dancer from Miami, FloridaMiami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
. She has never studied salsa formally; rather, she picked it up from her family, who are Cuban
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
.
Manrara began performing in musical theater
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
at age 12, and started her formal dance training at 19, studying ballroom
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
, ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, pointe, jazz
Jazz dance
Jazz dance is a classification shared by a broad range of dance styles. Before the 1950s, jazz dance referred to dance styles that originated from African American vernacular dance. In the 1950s, a new genre of jazz dance—modern jazz dance—emerged, with roots in Caribbean traditional dance...
and hip-hop
Hip hop dance
Hip-hop dance refers to dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. It includes a wide range of styles notably breaking, locking, and popping which were created in the 1970s by African Americans and made popular by breaking, locking, and...
. Janette currently attends Florida International University
Florida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
.
For the Top 20 portion of the show, Janette was originally paired with contemporary dancer Brandon Bryant. Like Janette, Brandon had made it through Las Vegas week during Season 4, only to be cut during the Top 20 selection. During her time in the Top 20, Janette received much praise from the judges; both Mia Michaels
Mia Michaels
Mia Michaels is an American choreographer best known for her judging and contemporary choreography on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance . She has worked with musical artists such as Celine Dion, Madonna, Tom Cruise, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, and Prince...
and Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe is an English television and film director and producer, and former dancer in the Young Generation and choreographer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as being a creator, executive producer and a regular judge for So You Think You Can...
said that Janette was their favorite female dancer that season, and Lythgoe went on to say he hoped she would win the entire competition. A tango she performed with Brandon was the first dance on Season 5 to receive a standing ovation from the judges.
Manrara was eliminated during week 7, along with contemporary dancer Jason Glover. Glover and Manrara reportedly went to Disney World together shortly after their elimination and subsequently became involved in a romantic relationship.
Post-SYTYCD, Janette was part of the "Bohemian Rhapsody" number performed by rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline during the "Journey" episode of Glee
Glee (TV series)
Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
. She also made her "Burn the Floor - West End" debut at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, England on July 21, 2010. Additionally, she is part of the current Burn the Floor cast, which is touring the United States from late 2010 through May 2011.
Jason Glover
Born on March 16, 1988, Jason is a contemporary dancer from Fresno, CaliforniaFresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
. He began dancing at age 12, studying Tap and Hip Hop, and is a graduate of Bullard High School. His favorite dancer is Michael Jackson. Jason was featured prominently in the Season 4's Las Vegas Week episode, successfully dancing for his life after the group round, before being cut following Mia Michaels' contemporary routine. After making it into the Top 20 in Season 5, he was partnered with contemporary ballet dancer Caitlin until she was eliminated in week five. In week six he danced a Travis Wall
Travis Wall
Travis Michael Wall , an American dancer and dance instructor specializing in contemporary dance and jazz dance. He is best known for his 2006 appearance as a competitor on the second season of the television show So You Think You Can Dance, which airs on the Fox Network. As of 2009, he is...
contemporary piece with Jeanine Mason, which received standing ovations. He was eliminated in the top 8 week of season 5, with fellow contestant Janette Manrara.
Jonathan Platero
Jonathan is a salsaSalsa (dance)
Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle...
dancer from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Born in 1987, Platero was a gymnast before he began dancing at age 16. He is a graduate of Seminole High School, was a World Salsa finalist in 2006-2007 and performed as a dancer and acrobat in “High School Musical.” He was paired up with Contemporary jazz dancer Karla Garcia but was eliminated in the third week. Jonathan can be seen as one of the dancer in the "Physical" number in Glee (Bad Reputation).
Karla Garcia
Born on June 30, 1985, Karla is a Filipino-American contemporary jazz dancer from Oxon Hill, MD. Karla is a graduate of New York University. Karla's early dance experience included learning traditional Filipino folk dancing. She performed on Broadway in "Hot Feet," danced in the ensemble of the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" and went on tour with "Wicked." She was originally partnered with Jonathan, but following his elimination in week three her new partner was Vitolio. She and Vitolio were both eliminated in week 4.Karla is also an experienced hip-hop dancer and is a member of the Boogie Bots, who came in fourth place of the second season of America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew, often abbreviated as ABDC, is an American competitive dance reality television series that features street dance crews from the United States and around the world. It is produced by American Idol judge Randy Jackson and airs on MTV...
. However, she did not compete with them during the show.
Kayla Radomski
Born on January 19, 1991, Kayla is a Contemporary/Jazz dancer from Aurora, ColoradoAurora, Colorado
City of Aurora is a Home Rule Municipality spanning Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties in Colorado. Aurora is an eastern suburb of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area . The city is the third most populous city in the Colorado and the 56th most populous city in the...
, who started dancing when she was two years old. She was first partnered with Latin/ballroom dancer Max Kapitannikov, until he was eliminated in week 2, after which she was paired with contemporary dancer Kūpono. She received constant praise from the judges - Mia Michaels claimed she is "the perfect girl," Debbie Allen gave her the moniker 'White Lightning' (which would stick with her for the duration of the competition), and Adam Shankman compared her to dancers from previous seasons such as Will Wingfield, Travis Wall and Danny Tidwell, due to her technical skill. Despite this, she ended up in the bottom three four times. Kayla is possibly best remembered for her dancing in a Mia Michaels contemporary piece titled 'Addiction,' which she performed in week five with partner Kūpono. It was performed again at the live finale after a request from Nigel Lythgoe. She made it to the finale, finishing in fourth place.
Kūponohi'ipoi Aweau
Born on March 23, 1986, is a contemporary dancer from Kailua, Hawaii. Kuponohi'ipoi (nicknamed "Kupono") Aweau graduated from the Kamehameha Schools and has been dancing since he was 16 years old. Kupono Aweau loves his home state of Hawaii and is an avid collector of home furnishings. He was originally partnered with Ashley, but following her elimination in week two his new partner became contemporary dancer Kayla. He is often compared to Season 4 finalist Mark Kanemura. Kūpono made it to the top ten but was eliminated in week 6 of the competition along with Randi Evans.Max Kapitannikov
Born on April 4, 1983, Max is a ballroomBallroom
A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
dancer from Brooklyn, New York but was raised in Moscow, Russia. Max Kapitannikov has been dancing for as long as he can remember. Max Kapitannikov comes from a dancing family, and his mother is a ballet teacher. Max Kapitannikov also enjoys sculpting and playing the guitar. Max Kapitannikov attended the Manhattan Comprehensive High School. He was partnered up with Jazz/contemporary dancer Kayla before his elimination in week 2. His elimination was widely condemned.
The judges praised Max for being the hardest working dancer of the season.
Melissa Sandvig
Born on April 30, 1980, Melissa is a ballerina from Los Alamitos, CaliforniaLos Alamitos, California
Los Alamitos is a small city in Orange County, California. The city was incorporated in March 1960. The population was 11,449 at the 2010 census, down from 11,536 at the 2000 census...
. Melissa Sandvig has been dancing for most of her life. Melissa Sandvig has danced with the Milwaukee Ballet Company, LA Opera, Long Beach Ballet and Helios Dance Theater. A highlight for Melissa Sandvig was performing "Le Coeur Illumine" at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. She is the oldest finalist at the age of twenty-nine. Her partner is contemporary dancer Ade. She has gained the nicknames the "Naughty Ballerina" and the "Buff Ballerina". She is the first ballerina to make the Top 10 and to go as far as the Top 6. She currently teaches pilates, as stated in one of her videos on the show. She was eliminated on July 30 along with her former partner Ade Obayomi. One week prior to her elimination she danced a contemporary piece with partner Ade. The piece was choreographed Tyce Diorio and its theme was breast cancer. The piece moved the judges to tears. Possibly her most memorable piece on the show, it was repeated by judges' request during the finale. Later, in a special episode presented by Nigel Lythgoe, this routine was named Lythgoe's favorite routine ever danced on So You Think You Can Dance. Melissa can be seen dancing in the "Total Eclipse of the Heart" number in Glee.
Paris Torres
Born on January 30, 1990, Paris is a contemporary dancer from Issaquah, WashingtonIssaquah, Washington
Issaquah is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 30,434 at the 2010 census.Based on per capita income, Issaquah ranks 25th of 522 areas in the State of Washington to be ranked....
. She was involved in a car crash that left her left leg numb, but still dances despite the injury. Paris is a graduate of Skyline High School. She began dancing when she was 6 years old and now teaches at a studio near her home. Paris was also a Miss Washington Teen pageant winner, and was a Seattle Storm and Seattle Sonic Jr. dancer from 2000-2003. She was eliminated in week one along with her partner Tony.
Phillip Chbeeb
Born on November 30, 1988, Phillip Chbeeb (nicknamed PacMan) is a popperPopping
Popping is a street dance and one of the original funk styles that came from California during the 1960s-70s. It is based on the technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancer's body, referred to as a pop or a hit...
from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
but was originally from Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. Phillip, who has had no formal dance training and learned "from the streets" began dancing when he was 15 years old. He is currently an engineering physics major at Loyola Marymount University. He was previously partnered with contemporary dancer Jeanine (the ultimate winner), until week 5, when Chbeeb was eliminated. An announcement by executive producer Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe is an English television and film director and producer, and former dancer in the Young Generation and choreographer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as being a creator, executive producer and a regular judge for So You Think You Can...
said that Chbeeb and the female dancer also eliminated in week 5, Caitlin Kinney, would be going on tour with the rest of the crew.
Phillip had previously auditioned for the show during season three, but was cut in Vegas Week. He returned in season four and once again made it to Vegas, but contracted pneumonia and was unable to compete. He later danced on the season finale against Robert Muraine
Robert Muraine
Robert "Mr. Fantastic" Muraine is a dancer in the popping style.Muraine gained national attention when he gave a lengthy audition to the obscure tune of "It's Me Bitches" by Swizz Beats for Season 4 of the television program So You Think You Can Dance, during which executive producer and judge...
.
Phillip's quote on dancing: "I started dancing around 15 years old, actually, pretty late. Instantly fell in love with hip hop dance and popping, mostly just 'cause it seemed like almost unreal what some of the people could do. It seemed almost unnatural, and I really kind of enjoyed the creativity that was in the art form, so, I jumped into that, and I've just been trying to progress and get better ever since then. For me there wasn't necessarily a performance that stood out as my first performance, 'cause I was just one of those kids that danced at the school dance and just tried to break it down in circles. I think my first battle as a popper, I think was one of the biggest experiences for me, because it was just a funny experience for me. I wore clothes that were way too big for me the entire time, and it was just the first confrontation with the one-on-one battle kind of mentality, trying to out-do the other person, and, I don't know, it was just a crazy experience for me."
He competed on Season 6
America's Best Dance Crew (season 6)
The sixth season of America's Best Dance Crew, also known as America's Best Dance Crew: Season of the Superstars, premiered on April 7, 2011 and concluded on June 5, 2011. Auditions were held in four cities from January 21 through February 5: Chicago, Houston, New York, and Los Angeles. This season...
of America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew, often abbreviated as ABDC, is an American competitive dance reality television series that features street dance crews from the United States and around the world. It is produced by American Idol judge Randy Jackson and airs on MTV...
with I.aM.mE
I.aM.mE
I.aM.mE is an American hip hop dance crew from Houston, Texas. The group rose to prominence after being crowned champions in the sixth season of America's Best Dance Crew...
. The crew was crowned the champion on June 5, 2011.
Randi Evans
Born on August 12, 1985, Randi Evans is a Contemporary dancer from Orem, UtahOrem, Utah
Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the north-central part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard and is about south of Salt Lake City. Orem is one of the principal cities of the Provo-Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Utah and...
, partnered with Evan Kasprzak. Randi began dancing at an early age and performed in the closing ceremonies at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. She currently attends Utah Valley University where she is majoring in elementary education. Randi and her partner, Evan Kasprzak, did a number of their routines that were sensual in nature, such as one where Evan was centered around her behind . In Vegas she was noted for always wearing unitards, but has not been seen wearing them since she got into the top 20—despite wearing a shirt to a rehearsal that said "Unitard Girl". Randi was eliminated in week 6 of the competition along with Kūpono Aweau.
Tony Bellissimo
Born on April 17, 1989, Tony is a hip-hop dancer from Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. Tony has been dancing for most of his life. He is a graduate of Frontier High School, playing on the school's soccer, football and lacrosse teams. Tony likes to write short stories and poems, and his favorite professional dancer is Barry Lather. His comedic solo in Vegas earned him a following, but the judges put him through into the top 20. During the Top 20 competition, he and his partner Paris were eliminated following a hip-hop routine. The judges agreed that in the performance Tony's personality wasn't aggressive, a quality they said was needed for the dance.
Vitolio Jeune
Born on November 1, 1982, Vitolio is a contemporary dancer from Miami, FloridaMiami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
. Vitolio began dancing at age 18 and is a graduate of Florida's New World School of the Arts. Vitolio loves motorcycles, and his favorite dancer is Desmond Richardson. Vitolio grew up in poverty with his grandmother in Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
after his mother died following the birth of his sister. His grandmother eventually had to put him in an orphanage. This story was so moving that choreographer Louis van Amstel
Louis van Amstel
Louis Van Amstel is a Dutch-born ballroom dance champion, professional dancer, choreographer, and a dancesport coach who appears on the U.S. reality television series Dancing with the Stars.-Early life:...
decided to choreograph a waltz based on his story. His partner was originally Latin ballroom dancer Asuka, but after her elimination in week three, his new partner was contemporary dancer Karla. He was eliminated in week 4. Vitolio reached the top 14, despite the judges' declaration that he didn't always deliver in his solos.