We know that many of our readers are avid fans of Network Ten's So You Think You Can Dance - Australia. As the Top 20 is whittled down, Dance Australia will be bringing you interviews with the eliminated contestants.
This week we caught up with Blond and Eden, to find out all about the highs and lows of SYTYCD.
Blond
DA: What was the highlight of your time on SYTYCD?
Blond: As soon as I find out my partner was Eden, I was super happy cause I knew that she was good at everything and a nice person.
DA: What was the biggest challenge of your time on SYTYCD?
Blond: I would say every routine was big challenge for me. I’m a b-boy and we don’t do much of routines. And dancing in the morning. Haha.
DA: What was the funniest moment of your time on SYTYCD?
Blond: When we swap the partner in Top 12 week. I would never forget Michael’s face when we found out we are dancing together... that was hilarious.
DA: What have you learned from this experience? What will you take away from it?
Blond: All different dance styles. I really want to keep learning contemporary and even jazz. They have so much fun and I’m loving to learn routines now. I wish I can have jobs for them in the future.
DA: What is your advice to those who decide to audition for the show next season?
Blond: It is going to be an amazing experience for sure. Doesn’t really matter how much you can make but it’s more about to have the experience and meeting great dancers. Just go for it.
DA: Who or what will you miss the most now that you are leaving?
Blond: I’m going to miss Eden. I learned so much from her and all this time would be missed. It was the most amazing experience in my life.
DA: Who is your pick to win?
Blond: Michael to win!! He is not a human. Too good. hahaha
Eden
DA: What was the highlight of your time on SYTYCD?
Eden: The moment that Blond and I stepped out on the stage and performed our first duet.
DA: What was the biggest challenge of your time on SYTYCD?
Eden: Portraying a prostitute in my urban routine. That was a bit of a hard one! Haha.
DA: What was the funniest moment of your time on SYTYCD?
Eden: Blond's facial expression when he announced as the boy with the highest votes.
DA: What have you learned from this experience? What will you take away from it?
Eden: Where do I start, I have learnt so much from this incredible experience. I have not only grown as a dancer but as a person as well. One of the things that I will take away from this experience is the life long friendships that I have made.
DA: What is your advice to those who decide to audition for the show next season?
Eden: Never give up and always be yourself no matter what.
DA: Who or what will you miss the most now that you are leaving?
Eden: Getting to perform on stage each week with amazing dancers and such inspiring choreographers. I will also miss my SYTYCD family.
DA: Who is your pick to win?
Eden: Michael! Michael! Michael! He is an extremely talented dancer and person and deserves this win.
Below: Eden Petrovksi dancing with Michael Dameski
Patric
DA: What was the highlight of your time on SYTYCD?
Patric: Definitely getting the chance to dance with Ashleigh in the final episode.
DA: What was the biggest challenge of your time on SYTYCD?
Patric: Not having any creative control over what you were performing… and the fitness aspect. I was sweating the entire time.
DA: What was the funniest moment of your time on SYTYCD?
Patric: When Stephen and Kino were doing stage runs for Titanium, Kino was sick and Stephen Tannos had to do the run with Stephen Perez. It was a beautiful moment.
DA: What have you learned from this experience? What will you take away from it?
Patric: The best things I’ve learned on the show are from fellow contestants. Seeing other people as dedicated as you are and how they work helps you to understand that there are so many avenues and directions you can take to achieve happiness, fulfillment and success. Working with people who believe what you believe reminds you that you are part of a greater whole and together we can do the impossible.
DA: What is your advice to those who decide to audition for the show next season?
Patric: Know who you are and know why you are auditioning. Don’t come into the show wanting to be famous. Come in wanting to help the general public to understand why we all love dance so much.
DA: Who or what will you miss the most now that you are leaving?
Patric: I’m going to miss my beautiful girlfriend the most, but everyone from Top 20, to the producers, to the camera guys, to the wardrobe.
DA: Who is your pick to win?
Patric: I think Michael’s going to take it out. That’s a prediction!
Above: Top: Patric Kuo dances with Ashleigh Tavares.
Bottom: Zoey Black dancing with Jay Johns.
Zoey
DA: What was the highlight of your time on SYTYCD?
Zoey: We had such a strong group of dancers on this season and to be able to come out each week performing with them in the group routines was definitely a highlight for me.
DA: What was the biggest challenge of your time on SYTYCD?
Zoey: Finding the strength to tap into my emotions and perform from the inside instead of just performing on the outside, if that makes sense? I never used to dance with such commitment to character, so to find that was the biggest challenge for me.
DA: What was the funniest moment of your time on SYTYCD?
Zoey: Every time we had to warm up before rehearsals we were lucky enough to have an improvised dance extravaganza from Michael. The show might not show how funny he is but every morning he would make me laugh dancing to Beyonce and Rihanna.
DA: What have you learned from this experience? What will you take away from it?
Zoey: Because this is television I’ve learned that you have to give more than 100% all the time because you have no choice but to always be dancing your best – which we should be anyway haha. It is really tough when you don’t particularly love the dances you’ve been given but you have to look past everything and love that routine like it’s the last thing you’ll ever do.
DA: What is your advice to those who decide to audition for the show next season?
Zoey: My only advice is to be prepared for anything. This show is a physical and emotional rollercoaster and I think if you aren’t prepared then there is a slight chance you may lose yourself. You have to remind yourself why you’re there and how dedicated and hard-working you are.
DA: Who or what will you miss the most now that you are leaving?
Zoey: I will honestly miss the other contestants a lot. We have such a strong bond with each other. I will miss them all greatly. Working with the all the choreographers and the great opportunities we had with them – I’ll miss as well.
DA: Who is your pick to win?
Zoey: Blonde or Renelle. Everyone is more than deserving to be on top because everyone works so hard but I think these two people are the dark horses.
Maddie
DA: What was the highlight of your time on SYTYCD?
Maddie: Dancing Chris Scott’s routine “Young and Beautiful”. He’s so inspiring and the piece had a beautiful meaning.
DA: What was the biggest challenge of your time on SYTYCD?
Maddie: Having to trust myself and let go and not get in my head and overthink!
DA: What was the funniest moment of your time on SYTYCD?
Maddie: Behind the scenes, playing baseball with Stephen! All the behind the scenes videos were hilarious.
DA: What have you learned from this experience? What will you take away from it?
Maddie: I’ve learned that I am stronger than I knew, and that hard work is the key. I’ve learned how to take constructive criticism and not let it get me down but make me work harder.
DA: What is your advice to those who decide to audition for the show next season?
Maddie: Be yourself, no matter what! Don’t be someone you think they’ll like! Always be true to you.
DA: Who or what will you miss the most now that you are leaving?
Maddie: I will miss all the family but mostly by best friend, Eden. It will be weird waking up and not having a full day of rehearsal.
Above: Maddie Peat "dancing for her life".
Stephen
DA: What was the highlight of your time on SYTYCD?
Stephen: Being able to dance the Argentine tango and dedicate it to my grandfather.
DA: What was the biggest challenge of your time on SYTYCD?
Stephen: Taking the assumptions people make about you and losing control. The show at times made you question your ability but you just had to remember why you made the Top 20 in the first place.
DA: What was the funniest moment of your time on SYTYCD?
Stephen: I have so many funny moments but the best was playing fruit baseball with Maddie. It’s an awesome game and I suggest everyone try it.
DA: What have you learned from this experience? What will you take away from it?
Stephen: To stay true to your beliefs. What I learned the most was how to be stronger emotionally and handle criticism. I will take a lifetime of knowledge and growth from the show.
DA: What is your advice to those who decide to audition for the show next season?
Stephen: Be yourself and stay true to you. That’s the only way you can go far!!
DA: Who or what will you miss the most now that you are leaving?
Stephen: Being with such an awesome team of people and dancing all day, every day.
So You Think You Can Dance airs 7.30pm, Thursdays. For more info click here
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Above: Stephen Perez "dancing for his life".