By Sabrina Rojas Weiss
Usually, by this point in the season of "So You Think You Can Dance," there are at least two very clear favorites and then a few dark-horse dancers waiting in the wings. As far as I can remember, past winners Nick Lazzarini, Joshua Allen, Benji Schwimmer and Sabra Johnson won our hearts immediately with their surprisingly wide range of talent and adorable personalities. But when the top 10 performed this week, I was still absolutely stumped about who will win the title of "America's Favorite Dancer."
On the other hand, I can't be the only one who knew Hawaiian heartthrob Kupono Aweau and perky cutie Randi Evans were not long for this competition. Kupono's looks aside, he just doesn't match up in physical strength (witness the way he struggled through his lifts in this week's paso doble), and as Nigel Lythgoe said a few weeks ago, he would have been out long ago if the show were called "So You Think You Can Choreograph." Though, truthfully, I thought geeky Gene Kelly reincarnate Evan Kasprzak would be gone before Kupono. I actually hoped he would go last week, before the judges booted brilliant pop-and-locker Phillip Chbeeb — leaving the show completely devoid of any hip-hop or street-dancing specialists. As for Randi, she just failed to stand out from the pack.
So now we're left with five contemporary dancers, a jazz guy, a salsa dancer and a ballerina. Of them all, Evan's the only one who might occasionally stumble technically. The rest are at the mercy of the choreography and the whims of the American public. Here's my evaluation of the top eight's chances:
Evan Kasprzak: The judges have slammed him for lacking movement in the waltz, lacking flavor in the samba and lacking something extra in Broadway (which he should have nailed). But voters don't seem to agree. He's never been in the bottom three. I think he's kind of adorable sometimes, but not the best dancer by far.
Jeanine Mason: This girl's got so much personality, you basically forget what her steps look like. She kept up with Phillip during their hip-hop routines, and didn't really get to shine in her own contemporary style until this week, when "SYTYCD" vet Travis Wall gave her a chance to show off her technical ability and acting skills.
Jason Glover: He's been in the bottom a bunch already, but that could have been just bad luck: He's been picking difficult dances week after week and was been partnered with Caitlin (who was always just good but not brilliant). But his contemporary routine with Jeanine this week was breathtaking, showing off his emotional range and his fantastic body.
Melissa Sandvig: The ballet dancer has found herself in the bottom twice, but she's never earned a single criticism from the judges. Are people getting bored with perfection?
Ade Obayomi: Melissa's former partner also landed at the bottom twice. He's technically brilliant, has that funny attachment to his pick, and I'm kind of attached to his gap-toothed smile. I fear his problem is that he's bound to be compared to fellow contemporary dancer Brandon.
Kayla Radomski: Debbie Allen called the ethereal blonde "white lightning." The judges just can't stop talking about her lines and her unreal legs. I don't think we've seen her do hip-hop, and I'm kind of scared to. Also, she needs to spice up her solos a bit.
Brandon Bryant: Mia Michaels' inexplicable dislike of him in Vegas was almost his undoing, but the judges haven't said a bad word about him since. And the audience agrees so far. Hip-hop, ballroom, hippie-dippy Broadway — he can take any style and make it look like his specialty. And he can basically fly.
Janette Manrara: I'm going to go out on a limb and pick her as the favorite. Crazy, I know, but America loves to watch their dancers grow and exceed all expectations beyond their specialties. See: Joshua and Benji. She was never outdone by the amazing Brandon. She's funny and cute, and we've yet to have a female Latin dancer win.
Who's your favorite "SYTYCD" contestant this season? Speak up!