The audition process is about to come to a close, and where better than the sparkly, sultry city of Sydney. After all, this is the place talented dancers come to follow their dreams... And that means Sydney will present the toughest competition yet!
The first contestant showcased is 18-year-old Hilton. Hilton's parents sacrificed their own careers to clean his dance school to pay for his lessons. The quietly confident dancer has trained in Ballet, Acro, Hip Hop and Contemporary – and it shows. His assured take on New School Hip Hop is named captivating and humorous by Bonnie, and he's given a ticket to the Top 100.
Next up is Hilton's girlfriend, Jessie. This shy, Brisbane-born dancer was feeling the pressure and Bonnie felt she laid back on her routine a little, while Matt commented he thought her choreography (corry) was wishy washy. Despite this, she was invited back to the afternoon's corry session, and eventually earned a place in the Top 100.
Jason was awestruck by 23-year-old Pilates instructor, Vanessa. Her heart-breakingly beautiful routine was a breath of fresh air for our judges, and she was instantly offered a ticket to stay in Sydney.
Tickets were flying thick and fast, with dancers Rhiannon and Marko both getting through – the latter inspiring a stoked Matt to grin, “This is why I got excited to come to Sydney!”
When ballroom couple Stephanie and Henry finished burning up the d-floor, Jason commented that this hot pair reversed the competition's trend – girls outdancing boys. Henry received a Top 100 ticket, but the feisty Stephanie would have to dance for her life at corry. The determined tone in this experienced performer's voice meant she intended to get that ticket – and she did.
Kamikaze's powerful street style had Jason commenting this was a real man dancing like a real man, something he's a big fan of. Welcome to the Top 100 Kamikaze!
Confident, talented and outrageous: that's Khaly. Part-time body piercer, full-time b-boy, Khaly didn't get Jason's yes because he was dancing out of time with the music. Lucky for us he convinced Matt and Bonnie he was a quick learner who could pick up any dance moves. Khaly got through to corry, and then to the Top 100.
Blonde bombshell Kassie was described by the judges as a perfect candidate for the competition, but her routine left Jason underwhelmed. Kassie believes if you work hard enough for something, you'll get there, and she proved herself right when she aced Matt's corry.
The first day ended in tears when Whitney found out she didn't make it, and her distress was enough for Jason to offer the crushed performer a second chance on the following day's audition. Whitney faced her fears and came back for Day Two, and this time, she made it through.
Kiwi Krumpers Josh and Sione kicked off the second day with a piece the judges described as very entertaining, filled with cute tricks and a huge enjoyment factor. Both boys were invited to corry, and their ability to pick it up at the level required secured them both a place in the Top 100.
When b-boy Don finished his sweet-as routine, Jason explained they were only putting b-boys straight through to the Top 100 if they were exceptional, as most of them couldn't handle Matt's corry. Is Don. Is good – this was an exceptional b-boy.
“Pure. Honest. A dancer.” Those were the words Graeme's audition inspired from Bonnie. A ticket wasn't far behind. Graeme's choreographer, the well-known Michael Boyd improvised his solo and almost cracked under the pressure of performing in front of his students and peers, but still scored himself a ticket to stay in Sydney.
Melbourne Krumper Nikki was a surprise second round contestant, here to prove she could perform the light and shade that was missing in Melbourne. Bonnie was thrilled, stating that this was the essence of being a dancer - one day it goes wrong, but they come back and fight another day. And this time, Nikki made it to the Top 100!
There was no doubt about it: Sydney delivered. Stay tuned for who makes the cut from the Top 100…
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