Image Credit: Mathieu Young/FoxIn a not-so-surprising elimination last night, AdéChiké Torbert was sent packing on So You Think You Can Dance. Although Torbert won’t be joining Kent Boyd, Lauren Froderman, and Robert Roldan in next week’s season finale, the dancer said he’s “super excited and ecstatic” about going on tour with his fellow season 7 dancers. Torbert called the EW offices today to talk about his elimination and experience on the show.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How are you feeling after last night’s elimination?
ADÉCHIKÉ TORBERT: I’m in pretty good spirits. My brothers are out here, so they are helping make the transition a lot smoother.
Did you know you were headed home after Wednesday night?
I don’t know. It’s kind of weird. I kind of sensed it with all the negative criticism I got, but I didn’t go on [the show] thinking, “Oh, I’m going to go home.” But I was ready for it to happen. I felt like they kind of set the tone for the Thursday show already.
The judges have been tough on you since Vegas. Have you noticed that they are tougher on you than the others?
Yeah, but it’s cool. I can take it. I see why they dished it out. They were tough on me, and I guess they were trying to get me to crack, but that’s the last thing that’s going to happen, you know? I’m a born fighter and I’m just going to keep fighting no matter what. If somebody tells me that I can’t do something, it’s just going to make me prove to you that I can.
Especially on the night where Cat came to your defense. Did you feel they were being hypocritical when they critiqued you for incorporating your own style into your Bollywood routine, while praising Jose for doing the same thing weeks before?
It’s so hard because I love Jose. He’s like a brother to me, and I understand why everybody loves him too, but I don’t know. I would do these dances and they were like, “You need to add your own flair to it,” and then once I did it I was knocked for it. It was confusing. You tell me to do something one week, and then I do it and I get smashed for it. I don’t know. It was just so confusing, but it’s cool. I’m just so thankful that Cat came to my defense. Totally caught me off-guard. I respect her and thank her so much for that.
What did you learn from this experience?
Just learning how to take negative criticism and convert it to positivity and just convert it to passion and just be enthralled. No matter what anybody told me, I didn’t doubt myself. I think I could have done a great piece and [the judges would] tell me it was crap. I’m not going to base my success off of what other people say.
What was your favorite moment from this season?
The introduction show when we first got to Los Angeles and we got to perform a Wade Robson piece. That was a fantastic thing. Just to hear the audience screaming and [see] the lights — it was so surreal. That would probably be one of my favorites. That and being able to work with Desmond Richardson this past week. It didn’t really matter to me what [the judges] said because it didn’t change the fact that I got to work with him and share that experience. I was good either way. He was my favorite choreographer to work with. I wish it would have happened earlier in the season. I felt so fatigued in the end of the show. I think I did the piece justice. He said I made him proud.
Who was your favorite partner?
I loved everybody, but Lauren Gottlieb was definitely one of my favorites. She’s just fantastic. She just reached out to me from the moment we got out here, and she was just the sweetest girl. I think our chemistry it was just real. We didn’t have to act or anything.
All the guys just loved the Laurens this season, didn’t they?
All the girls on the show are absolutely beautiful. I have a girlfriend, so I can’t get in trouble. Now I have to be careful about what I say! But they’re all beautiful. I know I had to warn my girlfriend every week. Just get ready. They’re going to say some things, so please don’t be mad. It’s TV at the end of the day, so it’s all fun. We’re all just friends. We’re more of a family.
Who do you think will win next week?
I don’t know, man. I think it’s going to be a close call. All three of them are equally deserving. They are all hard workers. They are all excellent at what they do. All three of them have a pretty solid fan base. They’re all going to do great and no matter who wins, they’re all still winners.
What are your post-tour plans?
I definitely want to do some Broadway stuff. I’m from New York, so I definitely want to tap into Broadway. And I love to act. I actually started out as an actor before I got into dance, so I’d love to get back into it. Get into movies, TV, and just work with some dance companies. I really want to just reach out and I want guys to think that dancing is cool. Hopefully, I can inspire some boys to do that.
Any last words?
I encourage all dancers to audition for the show whether or not you make it to the actual show or you just make it to Vegas. Just audition. It’s such a life-changing experience. I already grew as a person through Vegas week. That changed me. I think everyone should audition. It builds such strong character and self belief.
i liked adechike! he seems to have a nice personality here. hope things work out for him!
He really seems to have his head on straight – God bless him! They were unfairly rough on him and he handled it so professionally and maturely. Bravo, Adechike!
Agree 100%. LOVE ADECHIKE! I never got why people thought he was arrogant or why the judges felt the need to go easy on Jose because of his smile and then tear down AdeChike without saying much of anything that’s constructive or encouraging. He’s a great dancer, though I do agree that he’s kind of tight in the back and shoulders. And he was mature and professional, he seemed like a really nice guy, and, um, he was pretty easy on the eyes. I know that’s irrelevant, but he was totally the hot one this season for me, and not just because he liked dancing shirtless! (Although…no complaints there.)
I couldn’t agree more!
That was a great interview. I love his attitude and wish him the best.
AdéChiké handled the judges’ criticism with class and grace. It was obvious that the judges were extra harsh on him because they wanted their personal favorites to make it to the final. I think the top 3 made it to the final, but I wish the judges praised and criticized the dancers equally.
How would that be judging? When you judge you’re going to have favourites because some dancers are better than others. Telling everyone they’re great is either kindergarten or Paula Abdul’s Idol.
Being honest about performances is judging. Being softer on others because you want the “untrained dancer does amazing” story is another.
Judging fairly would mean that the judges pointed out the technical issues of ALL the dancers, not just the non-favorite. It was uncomfortable to watch most of this season due to the judges’ agenda. I don’t mind so much that he was criticized – I mind that he was the only one criticized for the most part and that there was a double standard (most notably for Robert and Jose).
Great interview – glad his spirits are up and that he’s not going to let the comments get to him.
Apparently you’ve forgotten that Billy got beat up for about 4 weeks in a row by the judges so it wasn’t just AdeChike that got criticized.
Well said, Rebecca. When the judges constantly harp on one dancer’s flaws (even when they may be correct), and ignore the flaws in the others, it sends out the message to the (voting) audience that that dancer isn’t at the same level as the others. Which, in this case, was not true.
I disagree with your comments completely. Other than the one night when Mia said that she wished Alex has been there, the judging was as fair as the judging in an artistic competition gets. If you don’t agree, perhaps it’s your own bias showing through.
Agree, AdeChicke handled the unfair comments with grace. He has amazing style and maturity, we wish him well, but would have loved to see him in the finale.
I wish you the best Ade. You have great potential. I think the judges were hard on you trying to draw more from you. Yes, there were times when they were harsh, but there is some truth to what they said sometimes. No matter what, keep dancing and try to let go of any fear. The audience will love you even more than they do now!
Great attitude AdeChike! You were a joy and inspiring to watch. I don’t know that I could be a gracious as you are being with how the judges treated you. Bravo!!
Great interview. He’s so well-spoken and down to earth. Class act. He’ll have a wonderful dance and/or Broadway career. I always loved watching his power and passion on the show.
@ziggy
I agree! Class act! AdeChike will definately have a fabulous Broadway career. This show brings wonderful exposure. Thousands of people have his back!
Keep your spirits up, AdeChike! With a positive attitude and work ethic like that, you are sure to have success in whatever comes your way. Best of luck to you!
And people wonder why I find him smug. He says it himself “I think I could have done a great piece and [the judges would] tell me it was crap. I’m not going to base my success off of what other people say.” Well, duh – and that is why the judges stopped caring about you. You couldn’t care less about what they said because you know better than the best choreographers out there? Sorry buddy – you are at the start of your career and regardless of what YOU think you still have A LOT to learn. I am glad he got the boot.
Umm.. how are the judges the “best choreographers”? Nigel and Adam haven’t even choreographed for this show, and Mia’s few group performances have been all fluff this season. She’s definitely losing her edge.
Adechike took the REAL choreographer’s work very seriously! He was a beautiful dancer.
I think you need to read his comments again. When he did what the judges advised him to do, they still critized him. He is right to say no matter what he did, they would not like it, because that is exactly what happened. The judges were the hardest on him. If he didn’t have confidence in himself, he would have just crumbled. Something, you apparently, think he should have done.
Actually, he didn’t do what the judges wanted: he did *something*, but not necessarily what they were interested in seeing him change.
Thank you Tarc. I don’t get how people get so caught up in the “poor AdeChicke” thing. They talked to him endlessly about being stiff and he would stand there stone faced and then come back the next week and do the same thing. I stand by my glee that he’s gone.
I don’t get why you feel the need to go out of your way just to trash AdeChike. I got that you don’t like him, you many anti-Ade post in other threads proved that already. Why bother reading his interview? Mia is that you?
Not true. They told him several times he was stiff in his upper body, that he should extend his lines and open up his chest when dancing and he did none of those things he was urged to do. That tells me he’s rigid and thinks there’s nothing wrong with how he dances. That tells me he’s smug and arrogant to think he knows better than professionals in the business.
Clearly, MarySueBob was trying to find something…anything!…in the article to b*tch about. And she did! Unfortunately for her, she failed! Carry on…
Well, not really. What I said inspired you to respond so I wasn’t a complete failure.
Am with you Vivi. Marysuebob is a sad story. Some people cant make it and they want to drag others with them. Adechike is strong and gifted. Whether MSB likes it or not, he will succeed. Peace.
Lemme guess – you want Kent to go down on you.
Well, no. I don’t like Kent (he’s a good dancer, but I hate the whole “golly gee” manipulation thing. Plus, Kent probably isn’t interested in my bits and pieces. Something tells me he’d rather go down on Neil.
I agree with MarySueBob–Kent is an attention-starved brat and he’s grating on my nerves. I hope Lauren takes it all!
Ade’Chike always listened to the critique and never pulled attitude when taking his weekly criticism from the judges. He wasn’t stonefaced. Nor did he argue or defend himself. He just simply listened and didn’t get a lick of credit for what commentary he did manage to incorporate the next week.
I wasn’t aware Ade’Chike had criticized any of the choreographers’ and their knowledge, but only that he wasn’t going to let the judges decide his value as a dance. I guess I want someone to point out where Ade’Chike said anything about knowing better than the choreographers? Big difference between most of the nitwit judging panel and the choreographers.
Well, he may have listened to the critique but he never incorporated the suggestions into his dance the following week. He continued to dance his own way and made no changes to his technique. I’d call that arrogant.
LOVED AdeChike this entire season. He had me when they told him with his family that he had made the show.. the emotion in that room, his mother’s pride, it made me cry. You could tell he didn’t think he would get it back then and his confidence has grown.
OH and he’s completely right about those judges, especially Mia and Nigel. They’d offer criticism which made no sense sometimes. Honestly Ade should be there instead of Robert.. sorry.
LOVED AdeChike this entire season. He had me when they told him with his family that he had made the show.. the emotion in that room, his mother’s pride, it made me cry. You could tell he didn’t think he would get it back then and his confidence has grown.
OH and he’s completely right about those judges, especially Mia and Nigel. They’d offer criticism which made no sense sometimes. Honestly Ade should be there instead of Robert.. sorry.
keep on doin it adechike! i’m relieved to know you’re still positive and up about your experience on the show. the way you kept your head up in the face of the judges’constant criticism was very inspiring – you’ll be the stronger for it in the end. i wish you all the success in the world!
This kid was raised right. It’s clear he has his head on straight. I loved watching him dance & voted for him every week. Good job Adechike!
Awesome interview. I’m so glad he’s smart kid with a good head on his shoulders. Keep your chin up no matter what anybody tells you, Adechike. Best of luck and lots of love to you!
Adechike’s a great sport and a better dancer. He’s been wonderfully consistent all season. Can’t say the same for the show nor the judges. Their unabashed, unwarranted and shameful criticism of Adechike was a complete turnoff. Mary Murphy was missed, as was a more diverse judging panel. Mia should stick to choreography and keep her one-dimensional snap judgments to herself.
Totally uninspired by the Top 3 and feel this season was a total misfire.
Criticism of AdeChike was not unwarranted. The things they said about his dance technique were right on the money.
Yeah, right. Just like their criticism of Jose and even Billy’s technique was right on point. NOT. They embarrassed themselves.