So You Think You Can Dance - Blogging The Top 20 With Pictures!

Joe has posted our SYTYCD panel's latest discussion on the announcement of the Season 5 Top 20. (which is also copied below). For yesterday's discussion on Vegas auditions week, go here. LowResJoe, TwoP Lauren S, ABChau and I chat about the new SYTYCD Top 20 below (and we'll be back the day after every episode to chat more on the show (in addition to my regular episode posts), although bear with me since I'm probably only half coherent since I was furiously sending off my bits at 1 in the morning when I should have been sleeping), just after The Top 20 photos. And here they are!:

Kupono Aweau
Specialty: Lyrical/Contemporary
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
Currently Resides: Kailua, Hawaii
Age: 23


Tony Bellissimo
Specialty: Hip Hop
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Currently Resides: Buffalo, NY
Age: 20


Brandon Bryant
Specialty: Contemporary
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Currently Resides: Salt Lake City, Utah
Age: 19


Phillip Chbeeb
Specialty: Popping
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, Calif.
Age: 20


Randi Evans
Specialty: Jazz/Contemporary
Hometown: Orem, Utah
Currently Resides: Springville, Utah
Age: 23


Karla Garcia
Specialty: Jazz/Contemporary
Hometown: Oxon Hill, Md.
Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY
Age: 23


Jason Glover
Specialty: Lyrical/Contemporary
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Currently Resides: Fresno, Calif.
Age: 21


Vitolio Jeune
Specialty: Contemporary
Hometown: Pétion-ville, Haiti
Currently Resides: Miami, Fla.
Age: 26


Max Kapitannikov
Specialty: Latin Ballroom
Hometown: Moscow, Russia
Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY
Age: 26


Evan Kasprzak
Specialty: Broadway
Hometown: West Bloomfield, Mich.
Currently Resides: West Bloomfield, Mich.
Age: 21


Caitlin Kinney
Specialty: Contemporary
Hometown: Annapolis, Md..
Currently Resides: Annapolis, Md.
Age: 21


Asuka Kondoh
Specialty: Latin Ballroom
Hometown: San Francisco, Calif.
Currently Resides: Irvine, Calif.
Age: 25


Jeanine Mason
Specialty: Contemporary
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Currently Resides: Pinecrest, Fla.
Age: 18


Janette Manrara
Specialty: Salsa
Hometown: Miami, Fla..
Currently Resides: Hialeah, Fla.
Age: 25


Ade Obayomi
Specialty: Contemporary
Hometown: Chandler, Ariz.
Currently Resides: Orange County, Calif.
Age: 20


Jonathan Platero
Specialty: Salsa
Hometown: Sanford, Fla..
Currently Resides: New York, NY
Age: 21


Kayla Radomski
Specialty: Jazz/Contemporary
Hometown: Aurora, Colo.
Currently Resides: Aurora, Colo.
Age: 18


Melissa Sandvig
Specialty: Ballet
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Currently Resides: Los Alamitos, Calif.
Age: 29


Paris Torres
Specialty: Contemporary
Hometown: Issaquah, Wash.
Currently Resides: Issaquah, Wash.
Age: 19


Ashley Valerio
Specialty: Contemporary
Hometown: Mesa, Ariz.
Currently Resides: North Hollywood, Calif.
Age: 22


Here's LowResJoe, TwoP Lauren S, ABChau and I chatting about last night:

Joe: So...the Top 20...as announced on tonight's show...are...Jannette, Vittalio, Kayla (grandparents girl!), Kupono, Paris (pointy chin!), Ade, Karla, Jonathan, Brandon (despite intra-judge fighting!), Tony (WHEEE!), Max(sim), Caitlin (cryin' sister!), Melissa (tutu #2!), Jason, Ashley, Randi (unitard!), Jeanine, Phillip, Asuka, Evan (Kasparczak with hair!).

Vance: Joe, you didn't seem to remember Brandon last year, but I do. He was cocky as hell. Brilliant dancer but cocky as hell. And I think Mia and Lil C remembered that. Mia for sure. And that's why she didn't buy his smile. I too had been wondering if the smile was a real change of character, or better acting, or just better edits so far. So I totally saw their point, but I'm still willing to give him a chance like Mary and Debbie Allen. 'Cause I think he learned his lesson after his giant ego backfired on him last year.

Alex Wong? Well that SUCKS and yet doesn't since... uh... he works for a professional BALLET COMPANY. Isn't that usually the dream? Fine, here you become a dance rock star. Ballet, unless you're a principal dancer, not so much (and maybe only in Toronto since I actually knew who the Nat. Ballet of Canada stars were even before I really got into it, but it might just be a regional thing). Still, it's mainly our big loss, not his. (on the other hand, how awkward is it going to be to have to go back to dancing with the ballet that you cried to get out of and having to face them everyday?)

And finally. Kazprzak's. Ugh. I'm so deflated and saddened for Ryan and so excited and happy for Evan. Love BOTH still and while I knew they were going to go for the "prettier" one (yes, I want to hug him RIGHT NOW) and let Ryan the older balder one (but if you look, is still handsome in his own right) go.

AB Chao: Okay, I love Kupono [above] a lot. His to-do list? His haircut? His little happy dance? All adorable. I'm sure I'll hate him by week 6.

Alex Wong. Y'all, I am not saying this because I think all Asians look alike, and because I am married to one, and because he is bonkers hot and awesome, but he totally reminds me of Vince. Maybe he will get out of his contract by the fall and come back then? Come back, Pseudo-Husband. Come back!

The Brandon thing is weird to me, because I feel like Mia was being an asshole in kind of a gratuitous way, and Lil C was agreeing with her because she passed the buck (heh) to him. I get the off-putting arrogance thing, but he is REALLY good, so I'm torn. The bottom line for me, I guess, is that his dancing doesn't really make me feel anything, although I can appreciate its technical goodness.

Aw, Kasprewizeiks. I love you both. But not enough to find out how to spell your names.

Why don't I care about any of the girls except Asuka, whom I loooooove? Discuss.

Vance: Cause she's Asian and she's awesome!!! Though we KNEW quiet accented Ricky was never going to get through, didn't we? And since Alex couldn't get on, Asuka's got to represent!

Joe: Anna Beth! Kupono is mine! I called him! When I first saw that adorable list! Mine! Fine, we can share. He will make me cry within 3 weeks, guaranteed.

The Alex Wong thing has me all turned around. Like, I feel manipulated because clearly they could have figured this contract out before Vegas, yes? Why make me fall in love with Vince Chao's rippled doppelganger only to snatch him away? Which then makes me think this was all to get us primed for ALEX WONG IN THE FALL! Come on!

As for the Great Judgery Throwdown of '09...I think I would have just dismissed it as the usual random Mia bitchery (which she does engage in, when she's not being brilliant and awesome) if Lil C wasn't onboard as well. I wish they'd have given more specific criticisms -- was it just his attitude? I think he's been overrated by Mary and Nigel too, but I wish Lil C had explained why he's underwhelmed. Anyway, Brandon's response to Mia made me like him more ... and maybe made her like him more too. But please don't make me watch Debbie Allen and Mia fight again. Hurts my heart. (Mary, however? Can threaten to walk all she wants. She's replaceable.)

As for Asuka [below]...I think she's very good. And this might be kind of wrong...but all I could think of when she and Deanna were up there was the girl's little sister in Bring It On. The tiny jumior high cheerleader who knew all the cheers but was barely audible? That's Asuka for me right now. Of course, Dianna wasn't exactly Eliza Dushu. I'll hear those donkey-braying sobs of hers in my nightmares for years.

As for the Brothers K, they picked the one I liked sliiiiightly better, so I'm all good. Bring on the pairs!

Lauren: The decision between the brothers broke my heart, even though I totally expected both the showdown and the result. I actually liked Ryan a hair better but that said, I love them both and I'll totally cheer for Evan. I seriously think that they should just make Ryan a choreographer for the show at this point.

Oh Debbie Allen, I can't get over my glee that you are back as a judge this year! All is right in the world.

I have a slightly different take on Brandon which could be totally wrong and totally also colored by the fact that I like him (though don't get me wrong, I could easily turn in a few weeks, so we'll see) -- I totally start to giggle sometimes when I'm nervous. I've gotten dinged for smiling when I shouldn't, and it's totally like what he did by smiling when he was getting told off. But we'll see, and I agree that I did respect him more for taking it from Mia (and Lil' C) and I hope that he really does bring it.

Seriously, the Alex [above] thing killed me, especially because I'm certain they could have figured out that point before Vegas, even. But I do think he's all but guaranteed something in the fall, and I can't wait. I'm having inappropriate thoughts about his abs... which makes this all very awkward if he resembles AB's husband...

I still don't remember about half of the people, and I want the one with the unitards to wear something that doens't look like she's about to go skiing. But overall I'm pretty happy. Oh, and I don't remember seeing Vitolio (sp?) the first time but I think he's cute and with the tragic backstory? Come on, I'm the perfect audience for that, it gets me every time.
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Commenters? Anything we're forgetting? And which dancers have already got your support.

My three faves right now are Evan, Phillip and Asuka but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I will probably fall in love with Tony, Jonathan, Janette, Paris, Kupono, Randi, Karla and Jason. Ah who am I kidding, I'll probably fall in love with 18 of the 20.

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For More So You Think You Can Dance:
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So You Think You Can Dance - Season 5:

Auditions - Vegas Week Part 2 - Top 20 Announcement
Vegas Week Part 1
New York City, Denver, Miami, Memphis, LA, Seattle


So You Think You Can Dance Canada:
Finale
Top 8 and 6 Performances and Results, Top 4 Performances
Top 10 Performances, Results 10 to 8
Top 12 Performances, Results 12 to 10
Top 14 Performances, Results 14 to 12
Top 16 Performances, Results 16 to 14
Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performances and Results
Introducing Canada's Top 20
Auditions:
Toronto Week - The Cut to the Top 20
Vancouver, Halifax, Calgary, Montreal - West, East, Middle and Quebec
Toronto - Toronto's Best Foot Forward
The Judges, The Host, The Teaser, All Photos from CTV

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 4:
Finale
Top 4 Performances
Top 6 Performances and Results 6 to 4
Top 8 Performances, Results 8 to 6
Top 10 Performances, Results 10 to 8
Top 16, 14 and 12 Weeks Recaps by Vance again
Top 12 Performances, Results 12 to 10 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 14 Performances, Results 14 to 12 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 16 Performances, Results 16 to 14 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performances, Results 20 to 18
Introducing the Top 20
Auditions:
Callbacks in Las Vegas - The Top 20 Revealed - What Happens In Vegas
Milwaukee, WI - How The Midwest Was Won
Charleston, South Carolina and Washington D.C. - S.C.D.C. The New Electric (Boogaloo) Term!
Salt Lake City and Dallas - Yeehaw Utah!
Los Angeles - It's Time To Put On Those Dancing Shoes Again Kids!

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 3:
Live Tour - Toronto, Pasha's Solo Video, Neil's Solo Video
Finale - Winner Result
Top 4 Performances - Finals
Top 6 Performances, Top 6 Results
Top 8 Performances, Top 8 Results
Top 10 Performances, Top 10 Results
Top 12 Performances, Top 12 Results
Top 14 Performances, Top 14 Results
Top 16 Performances, Top 16 Results
Top 18 Performances, Top 18 Results
Top 20 Performances, Top 20 Results

For So You Think You Can Dance Season 2:
Favorite Video Clips
Song List Live Tour 2006 - Toronto
Live Tour 2006 - Buffalo, Pics, More Pics

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com