The top 8 SYTYCD performance show was dedicated to the great works of Michael Jackson. The opened with a Jazz routine to the song, “A Place With no Name” choreographed by Travis Payne.
Each dancer performed a duo routine to a Michael Jackson song.
A sneak preview of Michael’s posthumous video, “A Place With No Name” was aired during the show. The video was officially broadcast after the show on Twitter, with a simulcast live in Times Square, New York, making its release debut an historical moment.
Song and Dance Performance Set
1.) Ricky Ubeda
All Star – Jaimie
Dance – Contemporary
Choreographer – Travis Wall
Song- “Smile” – Michael Jackson
Nigel – “That was beautiful music by the writer of the song, and there were great technical moments, that transcend what can be done on the show. You have gotten to the point where you don’t just do the dance you are the dance.”
Mary – “You let everything go tonight and it was amazing. “You have been flawless and done everything with the best of your ability, it is effortless with brilliant dancers. That tunnel turn was great. You liquefied my bones tonight.”
Jenna – “Ricky you are incredible. I am completely blown away by your extensions and Travis Wall is godly. I really felt you guys love, friendship and connections.”
RESULT: SAFE – Will be dancing with Anya next week
2.) Valerie Rockey
All Star – Ryan Di Lello
Dance – Samba
Choreographer- Jean Marc Generoux
Song – “Wanna Be Startin Somethin” – Michael Jackson
Nigel – “You look vivacious. I loved the music for that song, and Michael Jackson has inspired so many past auditioners. Your personality came beaming across and I hope you stay after last week’s routine.”
Mary – “You look gorgeous, Valerie, tonight. Jean Marc did great with that piece tonight. Valerie attacked this greatly and you did really well with the lock steps and all of the moves were great.”
Jenna – “I love you and you dance with such joy, emotion and flawless spirit. You were so good, and really sexy tonight.”
RESULT: SAFE – Will be dancing with Twitch next week
3.) Casey Askew
All Star – Comfort Fedoke
Dance – Hip Hop
Choreographer – Pharside and Phoenix
Song – “Xscape” – Michael Jackson
Nigel – “I keep saying how much you grow, you are totally unaccustomed to this style and you had swag with that theatrical style. You still have to show that you are getting down with it a little more.”
Mary – “It is hard not to watch comfort, but when the spider hit the floor, you got your jam on and hit everything greatly right after. I loved some of the actions you were able to incorporate.”
Jenna – “You are amazing and I love your stage presence. You don’t overdo it and it is pretty accurate. You felt funky and were really sharp.
RESULT: IN THE BOTTOM 2 GUYS
4.) Tanisha Belnap
All Star – Nick Lazzarini
Dance – Jazz
Choreographer – Stacey Tookey
Song – “She’s out of my Life” – Michael Jackson
Nigel – “You need to work on showing your vulnerable side as good as tonight really was.”
Mary – “It was amazing and that was one of slowest MJ songs. Nick holds a special place in my heart and was spectacular tonight. Tanisha you stepped up to the plate tonight and made it look flawlessly.”
Jenna – “You were so strong and probably have the strongest core of any of the women. You moved fluidly and the end faces could have used more emotion.”
RESULT: IN THE BOTTOM 2 GIRLS
5.) Rudy Abreu
All Star – Allison Holker (New DWTS Pro)
Dance – Contemporary
Choreographer – Ray Leeper
Song – “ Dirty Diana”-Michael Jackson
Nigel – “Ray Leeper had an inspirational routine that was great, the pirouettes were moments you lost character. Allison helped you get to another stage tonight. It was magnificent.”
Mary – “Michael wrote that about an excessive groupie. She went all in and you went right along with her, and it was great, and you both need to go the hospital for whiplash.”
Jenna – “Allison, you weren’t normal, it was great. Ray you were a phenom. The catches after the lift were insane. The landings on the lifts were flawless.”
RESULT: IN THE BOTTOM 2 GUYS
6.) Zack Everhart Jr.
All Star – Mackenzie “Season 9 or 10” not sure
Dance – Broadway
Choreographer- Spencer Liff
Song – “The Way You Make Me Feel”
Nigel – “Tap has moments that relate to Broadway and America is reacting really well for tap since they are voting for your great talent.”
Mary – “MacKenzie, it was great. Zack, every week you grow immensely and you do what everyone gives to you so whole-heartedly, you are so endearing and a real pro.”
Jenna – “A ton of showmanship is shown when doing Broadway and you were smooth and won MacKenzie over. I can’t wait to watch you next week.”
RESULT: SAFE – Will be dancing with Fik-Shun next week.
7.) Jacque LeWarne
All Star – “Twitch” Stephen Boss
Dance – Hip-Hop
Choreographer- Dave Scott
Song – “Slave to the Rhythm” – Michael Jackson
Nigel – “You use parts of your body I doubt have ever been used before, it is only fair if twitch does ballet next week, you have serious swag after that routine.”
Mary – “It was mesmerizing, this was a different possibility of hip-hop for you and you conquered it, for a ballerina that was amazing.”
Jenna – “You did it really well Jacque, the body rolls were fluid, and I was very proud of you. It was very good.”
RESULT: IN THE BOTTOM 2 GIRLS
8.) Jessica Richens
All Star – Will
Dance – Contemporary
Choreographer – Mandy Moore
Song – “Earth Song”-Michael Jackson
The performance received a standing ovation from all 3 judges.
Nigel – “ Love this Michael Jackson track, with one of favorite dancers, all stars and choreographers. It was great and You stole our hearts again Jessica like you did with the dance for your life routine.”
Mary – “The stars have to be in alignment for people to get into the finale and they all aligned tonight, the dancing was great, Jessica you have grown more than anyone else and is extraordinary.”
Jenna – “That was one of my favorites of the night and I agree that you may be one of the favorites to win this thing after that routine.”
RESULT: SAFE – Will be dancing with Ade next week.
SOURCE: ALL THING MICHAEL!
