Season 11 First Partner Reveal and Top 20 Analysis

Right, well, I'm back already, because while spending half my day on Tumblr, I came across a revealed list of the partnerships for the show next week.

Next week everyone will be competing with a partner from their own genre. The audiences at home then WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE. Eliminations start July 9th, where I assume the partners will be switched up to continue the competition with the different genres. So it's like a half showcase- half competitive episode.

Partners for the July 2nd show

Teddy/Emilio (Hip-hop)
Jourdan/Jacque (Ballet)
Valerie/Zack (Tap)
Rudy/Carly (Contemporary)
Nick/Tanisha (Ballroom)
Brooklyn/Serge (Ballroom)
Malene/Marcquet (Ballroom)
Bridget/Stanley (Contemporary)
Jessica/Ricky (Contemporary/Jazz)
Emily/Casey (Contemporary)

Source: SYTYCDance GIFS Tumblr, whose source was Idol Forums

First of all, it is COMPLETELY unfair that Jessica Richens and Ricky Ubeda were paired up. They have gotten perhaps the most screentime in auditions/callbacks of anybody (followed by Rudy/Nick and Bridget). Maybe their reasoning was that since Jessica is technically a Jazz dancer, she should get thrown in with Ricky, one of the best dancers going into the TV competition, for a contemporary piece? Who knows. But either way, the advantage they have over the other contestants has just taken another leap.

I am all about the ballet duet and the Malene/Marcquet pairing. Obviously they wouldn't pair Marcquet and Brooklyn together, who are partners professionally already. Also so excited for tapping pair Valerie/Zack. If anyone's already tacked up an enormous fanbase, it's Valerie Rockey.

Analysis

First, let's tackle the uproar over excluding Jaja Vankova from the Top 20 this year. I personally really liked her too, and having a female krumper would mix it up this year. Everyone had high hopes for female hip-hopper Mariah Spears last year, and did surprisingly well, despite being sent home prematurely. Personally, I would have subbed out Bridget Whitman for Jaja this year in my top 20, but what can you do.  Jaja did really struggle in the contemporary round in LA.  Note: Bridget, I don't want to be a heartless jerk, but stop talking about your dad. It's very sad and it's beautiful that you can pull inspiration from his story, but at a certain point sad stories reach a plateau with voters. Time to let your personality through, ok?

As for Landon, Jenna Johnson's ginger ballroom friend, he would have been a nice addition to round out the top 20, but at the end of the day, there is TONS of ballroom this year, which is exciting. The producers and judges (ahem, Nigel) usually really have to push and convince the voters to support the ballroom dancers, like with Jenna last year, but since there's 6 this year and they're all fairly popular already, Season 11 may be a different story.

I am very, very excited for this season. I would have liked another hip hop dancer, but whatever. I am already in love with Rudy and very excited for Valerie and Ricky's potential. There's lots of huge personalities this year.

Thoughts on the Top 20? Comments? Questions? Shoot me an e-mail; sytycdfansblog@gmail.com and I'll answer them on the blog.

xoxo Maddy


To come next week: Top 20 Showcase Episode, Top 10 Predictions