The first few performances had set the bar high, and the judges' comments had reminded our contestants they were looking for emotion and truth in their performances.
First on the floor was Kiwi Krumper Josh, with a bevy of babes including blonde bombshell Kassie. The judges had nothing but praise for the girls who all made it through, but while they found Josh witty and clever, they felt he played safe. It was end of Josh's journey.
Next up was a group including JD, whose namesake is the taxi driver who dropped him off at an orphanage in Manilla after his parents abandoned him when he was just four-years-old. He performed a heartfelt routine alongside Hilton, Jemma and Jack, all of whom made it through. Camilla has a jazz background, which made her feel less than comfortable with the Hip Hop routine the boys in her group had devised. Despite this, the feisty redhead made it through.
Next was a group featuring Sermsah, Rodolfo and Stephanie who along with their other group members discovered while working out a theme for their performance, that they had all lost someone close to them. There routine saw them dancing for those loved ones who have passed on, making the contemporary routine especially moving. Sermsah and Stephanie were through, but it was the end of the line for Rodolfo. After the group corry cuts were made, it was time to whittle 50 dancers down to the Top 20. Those who didn't make the cut were taking the bad news with grace and maturity, and the stakes were so high when indigenous dancer Sermsah took to his place before the judging panel.
The judges expressed their fears that this talented dancer wouldn't be able to handle the pressure of a high-stakes competition like Dance, but were their fears enough to eliminate him from the competition? No. Sermsah was through.The versatile Kassie was instructed she must give more of her natural warmth when performing, but she too made it through.
Sorono brother Carlo was told he was one of the most entertaining soloists in the competition, but unfortunately it was the end of the road for this fun performer. Better news for the pint-sized bundle of energy that is Demi.
Ballroom dancers Henry and Stephanie auditioned together, wowing the judges from day one with there sexy, hip-swivelling moves. The odds seemed stacked against them when the nervous pair faced the judges: surely both of them wouldn't be getting through? Nu-uh: they are both in your Top 20!
Another nerve-racked pair of Ballroom experts were Brendan, 35 and Jemma, 19. Both spoke highly of each other's abilities, but there was only room for one in the Top 20. That place went to Jemma.
Khaly was told he had the strongest b-boy moves in the competition, and there were cheers from every dancer waiting when the cheeky part-time body piercer announced his success. And the Top 20 spots just kept on coming: get ready to fall in love with triple threat Rhiannon, bubbly Kate, aspiring Broadway dancer Jack, jazz performer Camilla, South Australian angel Laura, former aerobics champion Anthony and contemporary dancer Vanessa.
Popular dancer Hilton's celebrations were cut short when his girlfriend Jess didn't make it through.
JD faced his fears and insecurities to audition in the first place and while his background is in Hip Hop, he proved he was one of the competition's most adaptable contestants, securing himself a place in the Top 20.
At the end of the night it was down to Will and Rhys for a final spot in the boys' Top 10, with the unique, Rhys being the successful performer. Jason spoke warmly of Rhys being someone who wasn't afraid to take risks with who he was and what he wanted to express about himself.
The final two girls to face the judges were Nikki and Courtney, both at the end of an incredible journey which tested their characters and pushed them as performers. It was the earthy, warm Courtney who Bonnie once described as a twinkling star who made the cut.
The competition now starts in earnest: who will be your favourite dancer?
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