‘So You Think You Can Dance’, Now Grown And Sexy, Shows Off New Moves

The world of dance — at least as far as TV is concerned — has changed radically since So You Think You Can Dance first hit the air five years ago. Now facing rising competition from reality dance competition shows like America’s Best Dance Crew and new sitcoms with giant choreographed numbers like Glee, SYTYCD has every reason to do whatever it takes to stay one dance step ahead — and avoid the sort of ratings stumbles that plagued American Idol this year. Which is why in Season 7, SYTYCD itself is quick-stepping through a major makeover, with a tighter competition and a new judge.

We met up with some of our favorite SYTYCD faces in Los Angeles to ask them about their favorite pop stars, the effects pop music has on dance, and the impact the show has made on television over the years. Click below for our chit chats with Cat Deeley, Mia Michaels, Nigel Lythgoe, Courtney Galiano, Mark Kanemura, and Neil Haskell and prepare to OBSESS with us over the best dance show on the air.

EBA: Does the music selected by a choreographer the way the audience feels about a routine or does the dance affect the way the audience reacts to a particular song?

CD: I think that in terms of the music, music is an absolutely integral part of the whole routine, but so is the right choreographer with the right dancer, right make up, right staging. I don’t think it’s as simple as just the song and the choreography. I think all those facets have to be working, and when all of those facets are working you can watch a performance and literally it makes all the hairs on my arm stand on and end. It gives me chills. And I can’t tell you why and I can’t separate it off from, “Oh, it’s because I love that track or it’s because I love that hair or because I…” When it happens like that, those really, really special moments when you turn around and go, ‘this is a work of art actually because it’s physically being able to move me.’ I don’t think you should be able to differentiate between the music, the choreographer, the dancer, the hair, [and] the make up. So I think it’s just one of those magical moments come together.

EBA: What have been your top three performances that have had that effect on you thus far?:

CD: I would say Wade Robson’s “Hummingbird And The Flower”, Mia Michaels’ “Addiction” was amazing, Jason and Jeanine’s [routine to] Jason Mraz’s “If It Kills Me”.

EBA: You’re known for being very, um, opinionated as a judge. What is the best/worst criticism you’ve ever received and how has it shaped you as a dancer?

MM: I think that when people are hard critics, they’re usually harder critics on themselves.  And I am very much about that. I am always striving to be better and I am my hardest critic. So, I think that’s where it comes from. I remember as a young girl and dancing I always struggled with my body. I was always a big girl. And so for dance, you know, it wasn’t—you weren’t accepted. And I was a good dancer, but I couldn’t get a job because of my body. I had one teacher, that I won’t name, but she was, like, you know, because I was a strong personality and I was a bit rebellious and I was overweight that was like you need to just you need to quit because you’re never going to make it. You’re never going to … you’ll never be anything (because I was such an individual and because I wouldn’t conform). And I’m so happy that I never listened to her because I think that really catapulted me into even being—celebrating me more as an individual. And being more proud of the fact that I was different and accepting that I am a “big gir” and you know what it doesn’t take away that I’m a good artist and I have something to say.  You know this is only an Earth Suit and it shifts and it changes forever and that’s not who I am. Who we are is inside. So that’s what I think is so important.

EBA: How do you think SYTYCD has paved the way for show’s like Glee?

MM: I think SYTYCD is the pioneer. I do. I believe that. Yes, it did start around the same time as Dancing With The Stars, but SYTYCD is a little bit more of like the real dance world as a whole. It’s not just one style.  And [So You Think You Can Dance] shows that there’s always been tons and tons of great dancers young out there and [Nigel Lythgoe] tapped into it. And, you know, dance is a young art. Once you hit 30, you can’t quite do the things you did. And it’s inspiring. It’s seeing these kids grow and challenge themselves and do their art and their craft. I think it is amazing it has brought dance to the masses. [SYTYCD] has changed the world and how they look at dance. It’s educated them and it’s made them fall in love with dance.  And that’s the first step. Is that before you even become a dancer you have to fall in love with it before you’re in the studio for days and hours and hours and hours. If you’re not in love it it it’s never gonna stick. And it’s the same with the viewers, if you don’t fall in love with it you’re not gonna watch. And so I think they’re tapping into these dancers who have fallen in love and it’s contagious.

EBA: If you could tour with any pop star who would it be?

NH: I’d probably go with Justin Timberlake. He selects the best dancers, the best dancers in the world and he dances right there with them. I think that would be a dream tour.

EBA: Any songs you’re hoping the choreographers will pick this season?

NH: Mike Posner. I don’t know what it is about his music, but every single song I hear from his albums I just want to dance to. And I would love to see some of his songs on the show. It would be awesome.

EBA: If you could go on tour with any pop star who would it be?

CG: I love Beyonce.  I  think Beyonce’s incredible. I think her music is amazing. I think she really represents herself so well as a woman and I think she’s extremely talented. She’s an insane dancer.

EBA: How do you think a show like SYTYCD paved the way for Glee?

CG: I think So You Think You Can Dance has given dancers the recognition that they deserve.  I mean there’s actors and singers and they’re amazingly talented, but I do think that dancers are sometimes put on the back burner. I think it’s really amazing that the show has given us the opportunity to show what we can do and show what we love

EBA: How much can a song influence a dance routine and vice versa?

CG: Do you know that changes that sometimes totally changes my opinions of songs?  Sometimes I’ll be like, “Oh my god, I’m so sick of that song.” And then all of a sudden you see this incredible dance to it and you’re like, “Oh my god I love that song!” and that’s all you can picture. I really do think though it’s the love of dance that gets the message through.

EBA: Any songs you’d love to perform to this season?

CG: I love that new song by B.o.B and Hayley Williams “Airplanes”. I feel like it has such a great—it could be contemporary, there could be hip hop, there are a lot of elements to that song that could be used.  I love Bethanny Dillon’s “Beautiful” and “Shadow Feet”. Imogen Heap.

EBA: Tell me about your experience touring with Lady Gaga.

MK: Well, it was amazing. She’s an incredible artist. I think she’s, I mean, I know she’s unlike any other. So, that was incredible. Traveling was amazing. With my style and everything it was like, it was awesome. The choreographer for that job, Laurie Ann Gibson, who actually works on this show sometimes, she’s amazing as well. She let’s you put your body and your soul into it. I learned a lot. It was great.

EBA: How did Gaga’s audience differ from country to country?

MK: Her fans are incredible. I don’t know how to explain it. To me [Lady Gaga’s] like, it’s almost like she’s a leader of some sort. And she has all of these followers. The thing that I really admire about the whole thing is that she really encourages people to be themselves and to be who they are. And I think that’s why so many people are drawn to her.

EBA: How risky is it to feature music from younger artists like Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus. Does it alienate older viewers to skew that young?

NL: No, because the music compliments and inspires the choreographer. It’s always going to be about the dancing. If they come on the show, they’re coming on the show as a guest performer on the results show. And, for me, as long as I have one dancing performer and one music performer I’m happy. American Idol has up to, like, three and four performers on the results show which I don’t understand. It should be about the talent the competitors, not about people that have already made it.

EBA: How do you think SYTYCD has paved the way and allowed Americans to embrace shows like Glee?

NL: I don’t think it’s just So You Think You Can Dance. Dancing With The Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, all of the movies of the moment have all inspired each other. High School Musical sort of became an inspiration that’s all sort of been put in the pot, stirred up, and Glee‘s popped up. And I think it’s just fun. And it does put a smile on your face. Also, what’s clever on Glee is that it does touch on problems that people face nowadays. There’s a lot more behind Glee than a bunch of kids joining together and singing and shaking their booties.

We can’t wait to meet the Top 10 who will be dancing with our favorite All-Stars.