On Tuesday night (7 Oct.) the Top 12 So You Think You Can Dance finalists will be eliminated down to a Top 10 to begin their showdown to the win. In between their rehearsals and this past Saturday's live show we quizzed them on TV and their dexperiences (dance experiences) so far.
Here what's they had to say:
AshleyYour fave TV show:Definately cartoons - I love them all.
Fave actor:Comedy - Robin Williams, Drama - Edward Norton, Cartoons - Daffy Duck.
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed?The contemporary was my favourite. I thought it was such a beautiful piece of choreography and Kim and I loved every second of it!
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?Didi said that she wants to do a duet with me - and that was really cool. Maybe we will one day ha-ha!
The worst comment you've received from a judge and from who?I really can't say. I truly think that negative comments only help your performance, so I appreciate them all.
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you and how will you use it?He explained that dancing alone can't help you win a competition like this, as it's a show about entertaining the audience - and that has helped so much. He is my Hero!
BathembuYour fave TV show:YO TV.
Fave actor: Tom Cruise.
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed?Krump because there is no technique - you just need to express yourself.
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?That I’m the perfect gentleman - Harold said that.
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you and how will you use it?That this is not a dance show, it’s an international show and I will use it not to just entertain people, but to dance as well because dance is not taken seriously in our country. And it is also our careers.
DarrenYour fave TV show:So You Think You Can Dance - USA version.
Fave actor:Jake Gyllenhal and Spongebob Squarepants.
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed?Paso Doble as it's such an emotional and sensual rollercoaster.
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?My favourite comment was from Harold when he shouted "Ole!" after the Paso Doble.
The worst comment you've received from a judge and from who?I can’t say I’ve had a worst comment as I take the judges opinions as constructive criticism and aim in improving each week.
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you and how will you use it?To bring the ‘Hulk’ out in me - which I apply to every performance.
ElizmaYour fave TV show:CSI on M-Net.
Fave actor:Denzel Washington
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed?The very first live episode, I danced the Cha Cha which was by far my best routine. I've always wanted to do Latin. It was difficult, but sassy and sleek and the storyline was cool. It was just so much fun.
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?My best comment was from Harold. He said I was a powerful woman and quite the entertainer.
The worst comment you've received from a judge and from who?Harold is always commenting on my footwork and understandably so because if you do something you must try and do it the right way. It’s all part of the learning ...
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you and how will you use it?He insisted that we understand that this is just a competition and that the best dancer doesn’t always win. He advised me to learn as much as I can from this competition and make the most of what I learn in a whole lot of areas in my life. He pleaded with us to enjoy ourselves as best we can and never to look back from here on.
KimYour fave TV show:Without a doubt FRIENDS. Whenever I am down I know I am in for a guaranteed laugh
Fave actor:Rachel McAdams - her emotional portrayal is incredible. Jim Carrey - what a crazy nut. He’s fabulous!!
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed?Definitely the contemporary piece on the Top 14 Show. I feel that Ash and I created magic on stage that night - I could feel the passion bursting out of my soul.
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?Didi told me how fantastic I was for my age because I am young. Harold also said I’m a mature performer which means a lot to me.
The worst comment you've received from a judge and from who?From Didi - my body was doing all the right things but my face was asleep.
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you and how will you use it?His advice was to work the camera as much as possible to grab the audience’s attention. I knew very little about camera work when I first started the show so I’ve tried to listen as much as possible when it comes to shots. I just want people to see the real me - Random. Fun. Passionate. And a little shy …
LeeFave TV show:So You Think You Can Dance (USA version) and Sex and the City.
Fave actor:Charlize Theron and Queen Latifah.
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed?Cha Cha….it allowed me to bring out the lady in me…..to be sexy, feisty and confident or yes, and in control….
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?Harold…he was honest and his comments were fair and constructive. Judgement that I could work with.
The worst comment you've received from a judge and from who?Didi….she was totally off the point and it was unnecessary….no value to her criticism.
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you and how will you use it?The best dancer does not always win was what I remember so for me it just goes to show that even though I am capable of winning this competition, I might not because it’s what the public wants…I am still going to continue dancing and show the world what it is that I am made of…it’s time the world looks at us dancers with the same respect that doctors of lawyers get…it’s hard work that truly requires commitment, sacrifice, dedication and hours and years of work….
MariseFave TV show:It’s a tie between Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.
Fave actor:Definitely Johnny Depp….HOTTIE!
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed?Probably Krump because I’ve never had to be that angry when dancing so it was a real challenge, but it was fun to do.
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?Harold told me that even though I am a small person, I dance with such magnitude.
The worst comment you've received from a judge and from who?Didi said she was bored during my very first audition solo.
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you and how will you use it?He said there is no such thing as a reality TV show because as soon as the cameras are rolling, people will put on an act. I will use this advice by trying to present my real self to the public…it’s always better to be who you really are.
MeganFave TV Show:So You Think You Can Dance on SABC 1.
Fave actor:Denzel Washington and Brad Pitt.
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed?Pantsula - I felt like a real sophisticated township ‘black’ girl. I had so much fun; it was the hardest dance, which was such a challenge, but I cracked it. I’m sure when this competition’s over, I would be able to find an acting job in a comedy movie!! LOL
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?Nigel Lythgoe - he gave Darren and myself 10 out of 10 for personality.
The worst comment you've received from a judge and from who?No bad crits so far from the judges except for Nigel Lythgoe for my footwork in the Jive.
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you and how will you use it?In rehearsals, he told me to work on my character side of the dance routine, he told me the show is about entertainment and dance, not about who is the best dancer. ‘People like being entertained, they don’t care about how perfect or high you kick your leg!”
Nqaba
Fave TV show:I watch the news, sport and wrestling.
Fave actor:Johnny Depp and Leonardo Di Caprio.
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed?Ballet and Contemporary. I am trained in these genres and this is what I am best at
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?When I stand in front of the judges, I am small; but when I dance, I become, big, like a Giant…Harold said that.
The worst comment you've received from a judge and from who?When I did broadway, Didi didn’t like my hairstyle.
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you and how will you use it?He said that we should sell ourselves and that Dance is entertainment. So I took his advice and performed for him an Afro Fusion Dance, he just said that I am like honey melting out of its bottle and ‘ndiyishayile’ (which means I danced it very well)
TaniaFave TV show:So You Think You Can Dance because I am in it…Yeah!! LOL.
Fave actor:Chris Rock.
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed:Contemporary because it took me out of my box and I really enjoyed myself.
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?Didi said that I am the most underestimated dancer in the competition. I’m glad she thinks that because now she and everyone else who thinks that will be surprised when they can see what I can do.
The worst comment you've received from a judge and from who?Never really received a bad one. I try and use all the comments to help me with the following week.
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you and how will you use it?That even though one person will win the prize, that we are all winners. I believe that because it’s not always about winning the big prize but this is a big opportunity for me and I’m grabbing it with both hands and making the most of it because there are so many good dancers who would love to be where I am.
TaekwondoFave TV show:Stokvel on SABC 2.
Fave actor:I actually have two favourite actors - Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington. Most of their films are informative and quizy.
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed:Cha-Cha is one of the difficult dances I chose but I enjoyed the choreography because our choreography worked more on showing off our skill and expressing who WE are. It was more about us.
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?I really really respect Harold, though sometimes he criticizes harshly. But his comments builds our esteem rather than breaks us. He once said that he can see when I am enjoying a dance, its through my facial expressions, my smile
The worst comment you've received from a judge and from who?When I was told that I wasn’t there for my partner. I have put in a lot of effort into learning to be supportive of my partner!
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you and how will you use it?He said that we have been given the chance to be ambassadors of Dance in South Africa and that we must use this opportunity to prove to the nation, and ourselves that we are powerful beyond our means. Through the task, we have been givcen I have learnt that there is still a lot to learn and I will pour back to my community.
ThabisoFave TV show:National Georgraphic (the channel) and YO TV.
Fave actor:Joe Mafela and Sello Madke-Kdncube and Jamie Foxx.
To date, which is your favourite dance genre you've performed:Krump - there is nothing technical about it and it allows me to express myself more without thinking about steps.
The best comment you've received from a judge and who made it?That I should be performing with the rest of the world …a compliment from Harold.
The worst comment you've received from a judge and from who?David said that it's as if he is watching a different show whenever I perform and that there was never anything technical coming from him, especially that he is a dancer and choreographer. The comments he makes are so totally out of the show.
When you met Nigel Lythgoe, what advice did he give you? And how will you use it?To learn as much as you can before you open your BIG MOUTH.