No less than five of the Top 10 girls selected by the judges for the 16th season Fox’s reality talent contest, “So You Think You Can Dance,” were ballroom specialists. But this week, once the female dancers were paired with an All-Star guy as they performed a duet outside their comfort zone, only one was left standing when the group of 10 was axed to a Top 5 — Stephanie Sosa, 19, from Provo, Utah, whose dance partner and brother Ezra, 18, will compete to make into the male Top 5 next week.
They already made history by becoming the first sibling contestants to get this far in the competition.
SEE Exclusive video interview with ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ host Cat Deeley
But contemporary dancers are usually the biggest group represented on the show and three of the ladies who moved on to the Top 5 represent the style — Madison Jordan, 21, a Lake Elmo, Minn., native who tried out alongside her boyfriend, Jarrod Tyler Paulson, who didn’t make it past the Academy; Sophie Pittman, 18, of Collierville, Tenn.; and Mariah Russell, 18, of Nashville.
That leaves the lone hip-hop girl standing, Anna Linstruth, 19, of Las Vegas who proved herself by doing a snazzy jazz routine.
SEE ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ winners list for Seasons 1–15
All those ladies acquitted themselves quite well. But I was disappointed when Japanese popper and hip-hop specialist Sumi Oshima, 26, (seen below) could not quite conquer the rigors of contemporary dance. Her routine to Demi Lovato‘s “Skyscraper” when she did her solo during the Academy last week took my breath away.
But ”So You Think You Can Dance” requires a versatility in those who participate that makes it quite unique among such talent shows. Take the poll below and let us know who you will be rooting for among the Top 5 girls. And go to the comments section to share who you wish among those ladies who didn’t make it beyond the Top 10 would have moved onto to the live shows.
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