Of our 50 remaining dancers, 10 would be cut after Jason Gilkison’s African Samba challenge, leaving 40 nervous dancers to await their fate at the end of the Green Mile. The tears started early and didn’t stop – as dancers discovered whether they were in our Top 20 – or had to try again next year.
The biggest shock was Christian not even making Top 40. Gabriel made the cut but then tragically injured himself. The judges had to break the hearts of Don and Jamie but brought tears of joy to Penny, Loredo and Chanelle. Max made it – though her tongue almost cost her again - while slipping under the radar was Amy – named Top Female dancer of Top 100 week. Look out!
Jason Gilkison’s African Samba Dance Challenge
Last year, Henry and Vanessa delivered one of the best performances of the season with a Jason Gilkison choreographed African Samba. Our final 50 had to try to match them, knowing that 10 would be cut heartbreakingly close to the Green Mile.
Penny and Charlie get off on the wrong foot
Ballroom was a huge leap for Penny and Charlie and their hearts were in their mouths when Nigel said they’d started the routine on the wrong beat – and stayed that way. Luckily their second take was better – and they were part of our Top 40.
Ann Maree and Eli take the charisma by-pass
Bonnie said she loved the charisma of Ann Maree and Eli, but wondered whether they’d worked well as a couple? Yes, they had. They were through.
Gabrielle and Renee know their left from their right
Jason G said it was fantastic to see Gabriel back after his literally bone-jarring departure last year. Gabe felt he’d grown exponentially and the judges agreed. He and Renee – not the dyslexic one – had made it to the last stage.
Christian gets cut
We ran a poll about who was guaranteed to make Top 20 and Christian received nearly half the votes. So it came as a huge shock when Jason Gilkison said he wouldn’t even make Top 40.
Jason 2 said that Christian was “exceptional” but that he hadn’t brought the same quality to his partner work. Christian took the bad news graciously, saying he’d had the “best time of my life” and that we’d see him again, “Somewhere huge”.
David – Confusing confidence and arrogance
David talked up his chances in the Samba, saying that he and his partner were “two hot people so it should be a hot dance”. Nigel didn’t feel the warmth and David wouldn’t make the Green Mile. Hilton’s brother felt that the judges had mistaken his confidence for arrogance but if that was the case, most of Australia had made the same misjudgement.
Heath hobbles through, Amy flies under the radar
Jason G had been told that Heath was struggling with a bad ankle and that Amy had been flying under the radar. This was a concern because they needed dancers who stood out. Jason had been told all this – and found it hard to believe. He thought they’d both been fantastic – and worthy of our Final 40.
A celebration cut short
It was no surprise that the 40 dancers who’d made it this far would want to leap for job. Unfortunately for Gabriel, his celebration would stop him going any further. He’d leapt onto a beanbag but missed and hit the rock hard floor. He initially felt it wasn’t serious, but he was to be cruelly disappointed.
Top 40 Final Solos – and Gabriel’s teary farewell
The dancers had just one last chance to impress before the judges decided their Final 20. But the first dancer up was Gabriel – on crutches. He’d torn his sartorius muscle and would be taking no further part. “How do you feel?” asked Jason C. “Crushed” said Gabriel before breaking down completely.
Jason said Gabe had had a “really solid week” and that if he didn’t show up in Brisbane next year, he’d come and hunt him down. Showing how much he had grown in the last year, Gabe said that it had been “a pleasure to meet them all”, and told them to “Rip it up!”. Class act.
Some like Amy and Danielle did just that, delivering what Jason said were “ballistically” good solos but others let themselves down at the worst possible moment. Matt was especially underwhelmed by Loredo and Nigel said that if Philippe’s routine was dance then he would give up the business. Ouch!
Green Mile – the end of the line
It was finally here: decision time. After a torturous Top 100 week, 40 dancers could congratulate themselves on having survived this far but only half would get the cigar. Who was in and who was out would be revealed on the Green Mile.
Don the Entertainer disappointed
First up was Don who would probably have won the People’s Choice Award for most loveable guy. He’d had an amazing journey, said Bonnie, progressing further than he had last year. But, this year he’d go no further.
“You are so entertaining”, said Jason. “Go away, add some strings to your bow, and come back not as a hip hop dancer, but as a dancer”. Don said he’d take the advice and “maybe smoke it next year”. But through his brave smile, you could tell that his big, beautiful heart had been broken in two.
Ash-Leigh and Dannial – one partner misses out
Dannial wasn’t going to audition for Dance but thought he might as well take a crack and had almost made it. Almost but not quite. The judges had room for just one of them, and Ash-Leigh, his fiancée, was to be the first member of our Top 20.
Charlie’s personality goes walkabout
Matt thought our boy from Dubbo had had a strong week but that he didn’t show enough personality. This was news to the viewing public – Charlie had seemed like a total character. Matt was worried that no-one would vote for him - but they were willing to take that chance. Charlie was through to Top 20. “Oh, my heaven”, he said, before racing off to call his Mum.
Heath and Gemma miss out
Heath was also now on crutches – he’d been dancing on a broken foot – but there was to be no spot for him in any event. Bonnie felt that Gemma was “a winner” in everything she did. But this was not her year. Put money on her making it next year.
Philippe, Brenton and Nina miss out
Philippe didn’t make the cut because he “lacked the right foundation”, Brenton had done some fantastic work but “it wasn’t going to be his year”, while Nina had proved herself more than a cheerleader – but not enough to force herself into our finalists.
Penny the angry cheerleader gets a reason to smile
From the moment she dispensed with her pom-poms in Melbourne, Penny has had a special place in our hearts. But would her lack of versatility count against her? Not a bit. “You are so in our Top 20” said Bonnie. “I love her!”, said Jason. Don’t we all.
Brazilian Gianne goes one better
Last year Gianne had gone oh, so close. This year had been huge already. She’d got married for starters. Bonnie told her that she should go tell her husband that his wife had made Top 20. If Gianne hadn’t already won their approval, her celebration dance would have clinched it. She’ll shake up the competition – literally.
Lamb gets second time lucky
Lamb was another who had returned after failing in Season 1. Matt said that she’d improved in the last 12 months and that they were all going to be “having Lamb for dinner”. At least on Sunday nights. She’s in our Top 20.
Danny gets teased
Jason thought that between Danny’s audition solo and Final 40 solo, the judges had forgotten what he was capable of. This was a bit of a worry. But the boy from Broken Hill was through. “You cheeky bugger”, he told Jason.
Ben’s still alive
Ben’s danced with Hugh Jackman on The Boy from Oz. Yet, Top 100 Week had taken him to new places. “It’s been like Opening Night every 2 hours. I feel alive and privileged to be able to do this”. The judges were unanimous. Ben totally deserves a shot at the title of Australia’s favourite dancer.
Leigh-Anne, Sally and Melanie miss out
Nigel said Leigh-Anne had brought a ”maturity” to the group chorey but Jason couldn’t find a spot for her in the Finals. Nor one for Sally. Melanie had been good in all genres but had failed to shine in her own discipline, Jazz. “You needed to stand out”. That’s why she’ll have to try again next year.
Will Pania and Emmanuel be separated?
Would Pania and Emmanuel’s relationship survive the stress of just one of them achieving national celebrity? We’ll never know. They’re both in. Pania was thrilled but Emmanuel was overcome. He’d wanted to be cool – “be the tough man” – but making Top 20 got the better of him. He cried like a baby.
Inseparable best mates, Jesse and Stephen
Jesse and Stephen are best mates but that would be tested if just one of them made it. Matt said Stephen had done a solid job, but “needed to learn to take direction”. Was there room for both of them? Yes, there was. “Why scare us like that?” It’s my job, said Matt.
Jamie misses by millimetres
When she saw video of herself, Jamie cried. “I can’t believe that’s me.” She’d been totally overwhelmed last year but had come back and won over the judges. “I’m a big fan of yours”, said Matt. “So it breaks my heart to tell you it’s not your year.” It can never be easy to tell a dancer they haven’t made it but you got the sense this one hurt more than most.
Dad’s legs carry Sammy far
Surprise packet of the competition had been 18 year-old Sammy from Adelaide, who Jason had said was “unemployable”. However the legs she inherited from her father had carried her within a whisker of the Finals. She broke down but insisted they weren’t tears of sadness. She’d had a ball and would be back.
Loredo gets lucky
Loredo had disappointed Matt with his final solo and must have been a bundle of nerves. Wearing lucky red, he heard Bonnie say he was a fabulous dancer, and she loved his look. But was he right to be in their Top 20? Abso-bloody-lutely!!!
Damien gets his ticket to the ball
He’d already suffered the pain of losing partner Jessica. Would Australian junior ballroom dancing champion Damien suffer the same fate? It looked like it. Jason said he should leave feeling proud. So Damien did - before Jason called him back to welcome him to the Top 20. YES!!!!!
Chanelle’s back better than ever
The cheerleader who’d defied her doctor to join Top 100 week wowed the judges when she walked in with her purple dress, high heels and gorgeous smile. Jason said it had been a joy having her on the show – and hoped she enjoyed the rest of it. She’s in. She’s going to break some hearts this one. Pray her back holds up!
Timomatic struggles to stay cool
Green Mile nerves can crack the coolest customer – and Timomatic’s normal sangfroid was shot to bits. He needn’t have worried. He’s through.
Separating Danielle and Amy
The judges loved both Jazz dancers, Danielle and Amy, but could take only one. There was just a hair between them. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Danielle’s year – but Amy was in for the ride of her life. Not only had she made it - she was their unanimous choice as the strongest female dancer of the week. “You were on fire!”, said Jason.
4 spots remain – Is Talia’s name on one of them?
Talia could feel herself starting to shake as she walked down the Green Mile. “This verdict could change your life”. How had she enjoyed the week? “I haven’t had this much fun dancing in a long time”. The fun is set to continue. This ballerina is in. “I’m going to be on TV. I watch TV. I don’t perform on TV”.
Mack misses out
Candidate for father of the year, Mack had improved immensely since last year but not quite enough. If he keeps it up, next year could be third time lucky.
Kat beats Michelle for second last woman
Michelle was crying even before the judges delivered their verdict – perhaps because she knew they would find Kat’s charms entirely irresistible. The 18 year old Katrina raced off to phone her best friend and her Mum – fortunately for her it would take just one call.
BJ scrapes in ahead of Eli
Second season veteran, Eli, was “the most improved dancer in the competition”, but it wasn’t enough to hold off BJ from claiming the last male spot in our Top 20. Bonnie had said last year that BJ “would be a star. Let’s hope you’re a star this year”.
And then there was one – Ann Maree or Max?
Who would get the last spot out of the 2 besties, Ann Maree and Max. Jason wanted to know what Max had done differently this year? “I found out who I am”. Jason said he wasn't the nasty guy she thought he was. “I don’t think you’re nasty. I just think everyone has a nasty streak.” You still haven’t quite mastered this diplomacy thing, have you, Max?
The judges thought Ann Maree had done an incredible job in losing 20kg, but the final place in our Top 20 was going to her mate, Max. “You made me cry”, said the tough little Hip Hopper. “You haven’t made me cry all week”.
With that our Top 20 was complete!
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