From Krump to Cha Cha, Hip-Hop to Rock Jazz. Canada’s Top 16 dancers have spunk and they want to show it and want you to know it…oh yeah.

Last Thursday, Dario Milard and Romina D’Ugo said their goodbyes. This week, the remaining hopefuls had to step it up in order to avoid elimination later in the week.

Host Leah Miller welcomed permanent judges Tré Armstrong and Jean Marc Genereux with special guest judges Paul Becker and Kenny Ortega – who has worked with music legends Madonna, Michael Jackson and Elton John.

Up first to krump were partners Lara Smythe and Miles Faber. While Miles was excited; Laura was nervous. “I want to blow them away,” Lara said. “It’s gonna be buc,” Miles (krumping lingo that means “hard-hitting.”)

With Miles’ chest popping and Lara’s cartwheels and flips, the pair managed to impress the audience AND the judges (which, to this date, doesn’t seem that difficult to do).

“You let it out with passion. If you can do this, there is no style that will fear you,” said Jean Marc.

Next, the dancers all revealed something unique about themselves. Here’s the juice on some of the dancers:

Miles not only can pop his chest but he can also ‘pop’ his ears (weird). Francis is studying electronics and robotics (nerdy cool). Jessie is a visual artist. Lisa and Caroline are ex-beauty pageant contestants (no surprise). Izaak is a compulsive winker (wink, wink) and when he was younger, Danny danced with his sister and ended dancing the female role because she was so much taller (holding in laughter).

But back to the show. Up next were Kaitlyn Fitzgerald and Izaak Smith with the Cha Cha. Both received negative comments last week and had to step it up. Winner of the American SYTYCD Season Two and choreographer Benji Schwimmer worked with the pair. “It’s going to be a cha cha that is extremely caffeinated,” Benji said.

The judges, however, were not too impressed with the performance. Paul loved the choreography but said Kaitlyn overpowered Izaak and Jean Marc said their technique was lacking, even though he loved the emotional investment into the movement.

Up next to perform some African-jazz were Lisa Auguste and Vincent Noiseux. Both allowed the rhythmic drums of music flow into their footwork and their confidence electrified the judges.

“I don’t ever want to see you guys in the bottom three ever again,” said Tré.

Tamina Pollack-Paris and Joey Matt were up next with their hip-hop routine. While the judges seemed to overly enjoy their performance, I was not impressed. It didn’t matter if Luther’s choreography was hard-hitting. The routine was not executed with enough…spunk.

While Natalli Reznik and Francis Lafrenière received positive reviews regarding their paso doblé performance last week, would this week’s rumba heed the same results?

The slow and sensual hip movements were powerful. “That dance made me feel hungry,” Paul said. “You guys rocked.”

Fan favourite couple (correction: my favourite couple) Arassay Reyes and Nico Archambault were next to hit the stage. The pair was excited to work with judge and choreographer Blake McGrath (ahem, but who wouldn’t be?). But perhaps they were too excited. During rehearsals, the choreography got so intense that Arassay accidently dislocated Nico’s nose.

Kenny agreed the choreography was difficult. “It can throw you off but instead you guys just jumped right into the deep end. It was beautifully acted,” he said. Tré added, “You’re one of our strongest couples, that’s a fact. Bravissimo.”

Up to perform some rock-jazz was couple Caroline Torti and Jesse Catibog. Caroline played a seductive devil and Jesses played the part of a corrupted business men. While the judges complimented Caroline’s strong performance, many agreed that Jesse needed to project a stronger character.

As the judges said their last words, the 16 performers awaited their fates in Thursday’s results show.

Top 16 Results Show:

Over a million Canadians voted but who was sent home after dancing for their lives? Tamina and Joey were the next to pack their bags and say goodbye.

Here’s a quick breakdown of who were the night’s bottom 3 couples:

Natalli and Francis who performed the rumba, Kaitlyn and Izaak who danced the Cha-Cha and Tamina and Joey who performed the hip-hop routine.

The judges decided that, although they loved her personality, they were unsure of Tamina’s technical strength. They believed that Joey had great technique but lacked connectivity.

The weeks are flying by quickly as the Top 20 is already down to 14. Tune in Wednesday for more of your favourite show!






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