Final audition night before Vegas week! Who's excited?! Tonight's auditions were in Salt Lake City and definitely didn't disappoint. Nigel was back (thank God) and was joined by Mary and Mia Michaels on the judging panel this time. Love that bitch. She tells it like it is - however harsh that may be.
There were plenty of highlights of the night, including a girl who's been in 25 car accidents in the span of three years (she was cut), several sizzling ballroom auditions, and a bunch of horny Nigel moments (more on that in a sec). Check out the rest of the recap:
-B-boy Bryan Boyer started off the auditions with a bang. If his pink hair didn't make him stand out, his incredible breaking certainly does. He pulled tricks no human should ever attempt without a helmet, including one where he went from doing flares to spinning on his head - no hands! This guy gives me hope for hip-hop dance in this competition. Or at least he did. The judges asked him to do choreography and after only 15 minutes, he called it quits. How. Lame.
-Halely Cloud herniated a disc in her back a few years ago doing acrobatic tricks in a dance routine, but after some physical therapy, is still dancing. Aside from her incredible gymnastic tricks, she's got fabulous extension and a good flow of movement. She's also totally adorable. Love. Her. Straight to Vegas for her.
-Megan Kinney, sister of S5 competitor Caitlin, was back this year with a lovely routine. Unfortunately, they only showed her in a montage of other female dancers. She's through to Vegas again though.
-Ariana Rowley aka Satin LaRouge (I can't make this stuff up) did a burlesque routine for her audition. If this was "So You Think You're a Whore," she might have had a shot, but she's just not right for this competition. Nigel thought it was "absolutely fantastic" (gee, I wonder why), while Mia called it "weak and trashy." And yet she gave Satin her vote for choreography. Mary said no, but it was up to Nigel. Stupid move - of course he's going to put her through. He wants to see more stripping. She noticeably struggled during the choreography routine and was cut. Mia delivered the news, but totally sugar-coated it. "Sorry, it's a no. But keep training!" Where is my favorite ber-bitchy Mia? Come back!
-Yvette Lukosiuote, a Lithuanian native, came to America to bleach her hair, paint her eyebrows on her face, and dance in this competition. I was skeptical at first, but she killed her ballroom routine. I think she did 18 or 19 assisted spins and I couldn't stop watching. Mesmerizing, great musicality, solid technique. Mary said she had "Hot Tamale" written all over her. Straight to Vegas.
-Pascal Nayigiziki‘s audition was probably one of the strangest we've seen in a while. He basically flailed, jumped and walked around stage like a drunken frat boy. He even tore his shirt off, did the worm and romped around on the stage like he was having a seizure. The judges had a total "WTF" moment and quickly dismissed him.
-Ballroom Couple Ashley and Ryan Dilello did a routine to "Poker Face." Ashley pulled her face too much for my liking (she even seductively licked her lips at one point - *shudder*), but her technique is definitely there. Of the two, Ryan's definitely stronger though. A very masculine dancer (Nigel's got a man-crush) with solid technique. They asked both of them to stick around for choreography and both made it through to Sin City.
-The ballroom and Lady Gaga music continued ("Just Dance" this time) with Leigh Asay and her partner, Josh Murillo, who did a spicy samba (or possibly cha-cha?) routine. They've only been dancing together for two weeks, but absolutely killed it. Somewhere in the middle of the dance though, Josh stepped on Leigh's toe and nearly ripped her toenail clean off - literally. And if they hadn't mentioned it in the preview, I would never have known she was injured for part of that routine. Blood gushing from her toe, she was still all smiles when they finished. She was all smiles too when she was sent to Vegas. "I'm going to Vegas ... and the emergency room!" she said. They asked Josh to stick around for choreography, but he was ultimately cut.
Auditions are O-V-E-R! Finally. With the exception of the first and last weeks of auditions, they were some of the dullest ever, I think. That might be partially because Sex wasn't back this year (I'm not a fan of the guy, but at least he would have been entertaining). I can only hope the editors have hidden a bunch gems in this year's bunch because if not, S6 might be the weakest yet.