After a month or so of no internet connection and being away from home, updating this ish was unfortunately not to be. Last recap was the Top 18 performance - yikes.
Anyhow, we've come a very long ways in the competition since then, with some fabulous routines churned out along the way. Instead of recapping every single performance last night (grand total of 15, I believe), I'll just thoroughly analyze and review each competitor's performance individually.
VALERIE
Background
Oh, Miss Val. Of the four, the one who feels most like your friend. She's managed to connect with audiences brilliantly through little clips of her life at home and her previous training. Valerie seems like the spunky girl you met at your dance studio. Her story of simply moving to California when she decided dental hygiene was not to be felt refreshingly normal.
There's been lots of criticism that Valerie's spot in the Top 4 should have gone to Tanisha, a more polished performer and technician. However, Tanisha lacked one big piece that Valerie has in droves - personality that shines through the screen.
Best Performances
Again, there's lots of criticism that Valerie only got this far because she was partnered with Ricky. There's definitely some truth to that, but who WOULDN'T have gotten far if someone else was partnered with Season 11's favourite? These are my favourite performance of hers throughout the season;
SING with Zack Everhart, Choreographed by Anthony Morigerato
TURN DOWN FOR WHAT with Ricky Ubeda, Choreographed by Pharside and Phoenix
PEARL with Zack Everhart, Choreographed by Tyce Diorio
Chances to Win
Frankly, I think Valerie's chances are pretty slim to win the competition (I'd peg her coming in at either 3rd or 4th). However, the exposure she got from this thing is unbelievable, and she will absolutely have a career in the biz.
JESSICA
Background
To me, Jessica seems like the dancer who hasn't really found her niche in dance, either on the show or in her own personal style. Technically brilliant, this may be an asset companies and choreographers in her later career may covet, because she's kind of a blank canvas you can throw anything at. However, in a competition like this, you NEED to find your niche. Her solos, are, frankly, very uninspiring, bland, and often uncomfortably sensual. However, she has whipped out very solid routines and is 50% of Season 11's signature routine (her and Ricky's contemporary by Sonya Tayeh).
Best Performances
VOW with Ricky Ubeda, Choreography by Sonya Tayeh (expect to see this in the finale)
LIKE REAL PEOPLE DO with Casey Askew, Choreography by Travis Wall
HERNANDO'S HIDEAWAY with Zack Everhart, Choreography by Spencer Liff
Chances to Win
I think this year's girls were a little weaker than previous years, but of the bunch, Jessica still rises to the top. She's gorgeous and clinical in her movement, but I think her general immaturity in her dancing and her inability to be completely versatile (her West Coast Swing and her Hip Hop were both pretty lacking) will cost her the crown. Expect to see her in 3rd or 4th place.
Actually, now that I think about it, we didn't see her do any ballroom besides her initial West Coast Swing with Nick Garcia, right? Yikes.
Click to see my analysis of this year's top 2 guys
