Well, they did!

First though…ooooh noooo, Donyelle is hurt. I knew she’d broken her toe, but watching her Wednesday night, I thought she was going to make it through. I was worried when she didnt’ do the opening number (which I loved, and the camera actually stayed still towards the end. Imagine that, showing the actual dancing…)

But my fears for Donyelle were all but forgotten when Nigel dropped his little bomb on us, and judging from their faces, the dancers too! I knew we’d eventually get to individual voting. And I will say, that I really really LOVE this set up versus last year. But, sob, sniff…..I will miss some of these partnerships. And it has to be tough for these guys to lose the one stable thing they have. Well, for some. Heidi looked positively ecstatic. Ha.

So, next week, they will randomly pick their partners. They will each dance two paired routines, and one solo. Like they weren’t working hard enough. Then each of the ten remaining dancers will have their own number for voting. More than anything else, I approve of that. It’s hard watching the good ones dragged down by the not as good partners.

Oh, the speculation. And oh, poor Donyelle, with the most demanding part of the season on her now….and her toe is busted. Hate that for her. I want them all at their best.

But before we can get on with that…we have to eliminate two dancers.

Well, I got two out of the three bottom couples right. I admit I’m surprised to see Travis and Martha there. I don’t think either is in danger of the judges sending them home. And finally Travis will get to move around a bit, he’ll benefit from other partners, I think, and definitely from getting to solo. Musa/Nat and Dmitry/Ashlee round out the bottom three. Could be any of those four, really. I’d rather see Musa/Nat go. I guess. I don’t know. Can we send Nat and Ashlee home? No? Oh well…I’ll understand if any of the combination of those four goes. But if Trav or Marf goes, I’m gonna be a wee bit torqued.

Ashlee goes first…does a nice popper routine. Dmitry comes out wearing jeans, black leather jacket..and Dmitry. Whew! He dances to Jailhouse Rock. A little shaky in spots, his shoes didn’t slide well, but all in all, a lot of fun. With Ryan not in the bottom tonight, I hope it saves him. Sorry, Musa! I love you, too! I fear that he’s been in the bottom too often for the judges to overlook it. Even if it was his partner’s fault more often than not. Last night it couldn’t be blamed on Ashlee, so….. We’ll see how Musa does.

Martha is up next…doing contemporary. A very athletic, beautiful and powerful performance. She’s not going anywhere. Travis brings it with a lyrical performance that matches Marf’s really well. I can’t imagine he’s going anywhere either. Awww….poor Trav, giving the love to his mom. I heart him. I don’t think he knows how popular he is.

Natalie brings it with a contemporary routine that, frankly, really surprised me. It was sharp, fresh, and really entertaining. Wow. Buh bye, Ashlee. Musa comes out and knocks out a fun hip hop routine to Disco Inferno. Boy, the athleticism tonight is truly amazing. My man Dmitry is in trouble, yes he is.

I think I have to say…it’s goodbye to Dmitry and Ashlee.

Pussycat Dolls writhe and dance (which is a step up on most of the other performers thus far, but…well…yeah) and I think they’re actually singing…..not that this is why anyone buys their cd’s…I know. Anyway.

Back to the eliminations…

Well, Ashlee is indeed out. (I thought her comments to the judges after her solo showed her growth and maturity. I’m glad she had the chance to thank them.) And I appreciated Nigel’s comments to Natalie, as well. They are really coming down hard on Trav and Marf. Still harsh with Martha, but it was nice to see them (hopefully) acknowledge how much their constant drubbing is taking its toll on Travis. I honestly think he has no clue how popular he is, and though it keeps most humble, I think he could stand to see more of that support. Somewhat surprisingly to me, Musa is out tonight and Dmitry lives to wiggle his torso yet another day. Though Dmitry was off tonight, I do think Musa is, all in all, the weaker dancer, but still… I hate to see him leave, either. Especially with Ryan still in the competition. Hug your partner, tonight Ry Ry!

I admit I’m interested in seeing Dmitry with some other partners. Dare they let him dance with Heidi, who he has competed with in the past? I’d love to see it, especially if they get some new style neither is familiar with. Actually, I’d like to see him with Natalie or Donyelle, too, just to see how the smoulder would work out. I’m interested in seeing Travis get a partner more physically suited to him. Benji will do well no matter who he pulls. Ryan is on his last week, I think, I hope. Then it will get interesting for the men. Hard to tell which girl will be out, though. Donyelle has little to fear, except her own health getting in the way. Allison is a lock. Natalie and Heidi…a hard call there. Could go either way. I fear for Marf. I don’t think she’s made the connection Travis has with the audience.

Wow, next week looks to be a doozy!! New partners…and new dance styles, too! Dare we get Western Swing? Lindy Hop? Can’t wait to see who gets who and who gets what. Will be fun, no matter what. Get well, Donyelle!

Now, on to this week’s SHaQ Attack winner. You all got the answer right. Yes, Riley Parrish was indeed the wolf in sheep’s clothing in my earlier release, The Big Bad Wolf Tells All. And receiving a signed copy of that book is…..drum roll….a little cha cha music…maybe a leftover firework or two….Bailey Stewart! (Oh, there’ll be no living with her now. ) I just knew this one was for ewe.

Tune in Monday for the next SHaQ Challenge!

Have a great weekend, everyone. I hope to see some of you tomorrow at the signing. And for all you virtual attendees, thanks! (Virtual signing, you ask? See Tuesday’s post for alllll the details, or click the link to your right for Turn the Page Bookstore to find out more!)

Tags: Writing //