We held the L.A. auditions for season 6 this week. Lots of amazingly talented dancers and some familiar faces. Evan's brother Ryan came back and auditioned again. He did an incredible dance and poetry piece — truly unique. He got a ticket to Vegas. I love it when people work hard and improve, and it culminates in success! I did get some severe ribbing from Evan during rehearsals, though, due to the fact that I cried when I found out Ryan was through! Just couldn't help it!
Doriana Sanchez was back on the show to choreograph a disco routine for Brandon and Jeanette. Dori is a goddess for many reasons, but I'd just like to highlight a couple: First, she was a featured dancer in Dirty Dancing, one of my favorite films of all time! She was the girl in the blue-and-black polka-dot dress. Second, she is Creative Director and Choreographer of the Cher show, currently on at Caesar’s Palace. When we were in Vegas for the callbacks, I got to go to the show, go backstage, go into Cher's closet, ride on her boat, and generally take lots of goofy pictures — so much fun! The show was incredible — it's visually stunning and features all of Bob Mackie's finest work. I have to say, Cher looks amazing. Her body is beyond!
Anyway, back to Brandon and Jeanette's disco routine. The two of them were just a blur, flying around the stage like whirling dervishes. At one point Jeanette lost her footing and almost wiped out, but she was such a pro and just continued being thrown around the stage by Brandon. Studio 54, eat your heart out!
Another stand-out performance for me was Jonathan and Karla's contemporary routine. Jonathan nailed it, even though he was out of his comfort zone. They performed to a song taken from the soundtrack to the film “Once” — you may remember it from the Oscars a couple of years ago. The film is lovely, the music is beautiful, and the dancers performed wonderfully. So much so that they succeeded in providing the first "Deeley Chills" of the season! This is when a performance physically moves me so much that I get chills and goose bumps on my arms. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does you can pretty much guarantee the routine has been amazing! This was no exception!
The results show featured a group routine by Mia Michaels. Amazing! The dancers were supposed to be aliens; they were covered in Maori-inspired tattoos and wore skinny black mod suits with ties. I thought I'd stick with the theme and bust out a little Yves Saint Laurent! I wore a white suit called "le smoking" — it's a classic. YSL has been making the same design for years — in fact Bianca Jagger wore one to her wedding to Mick Jagger. I joked with the dancers that, onstage with them, I felt like Madonna and desperately wanted to break into "Do you believe in love? Cuz I got something to say about it! And it goes something like this!" I held back, much to Kupono's disdain!
Unfortunately, two dancers had to leave us once again, so it was goodbye to Ashley and Max. I hate Thursdays!
Then it was a quick glass of champagne with my fabulous glamour squad, who I call "The Kids,” then off to the airport. We are bound for New Orleans for auditions for season 6; we're there till Sunday the 21st. If you think you can dance, head down to the Morial Convention Center. Or join us next week in Phoenix — I'd love to see you there!
Oh, if you want to check out some backstage photos of me, go to my MySpace page at www.myspace.com/catdeeley.
More So You Think You Can Dance coverage:
Behind-the-scenes video of Cat's Must List photoshoot, plus Cat's picks!
Read our SYTYCD episode recaps
Guess who will be sent home this week in our SYTYCD Prediction Challenge
I really liked KARLA and JONATHAN. There Falling Slowly Dance moved me. The best dance in 5 seasons….
Love. Regret. Honesty. Full of Heart.
Wow. Hope they’ll make it to the end!
Go KARLA and JONATHAN
I went to look at the backstage pics. Cat’s puppy is so cute! Looks like a puggle. Also, Cat’s Puppy would be a good name for a band.
Cat, you must know, EW readers absolutely ADORE you! We think you’re the best!
Wow! Cat’s actually a really competent writer!
If the whole hosting thing doesn’t work out, it looks like you have a back-up!
Yay! Cat Deeley is super-British-awesomeness. I love this!
Cat Deeley is amazing! And “le smoking” looked gorgeous on her, siunce she’s so tall. When she said Studio 54 on TV, it reminded me of Kara from American Idol: “Studio 57″
“Her body is beyond!”
Things like that are why I love this woman.
Cat You are soooo Fantastic! SYTYCD is soooo professsional AND entertaing! I don’t know how I am gonna survive this season cause I love all the dancers and don’t want anyone to go home!!!Keep up the great work! BTW you WERE Gorgeous on Thursday!
Cat – thanks for your insights! This is much more what I think we were hoping to get from you – insider tidbits and backstage musings.
Keep up the good work. WE LOVE THIS SHOW!!!
This ROCKS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIqXNXjJnqs&feature=related
Hmmm better but an acknowledgement of our comments would be nice. Not individually, an overall heads up.
Cat Deeley, I was just wodnering if its possible for you to be any more awesome. Crazy clothes are worth your craziness! keep it up! haha
God, enough about that assjackal Ryan. But thanks for blogging, Cat – you’re THE best part of the show!
Cat Deeley, you are hands down my favorite TV host ever! You are so down-to-earth and make everything look effortless and fun. You have become one of my favorite things about SYTYCD the last few years and I am glad to see that the rest of the TV industry in the US is starting to discover you. Keep up the great work!
yay i love cat! best host ever!