In a tight vote, the unlucky bottom 3 were Stephen & Ash-Leigh, Lamb & Timomatic, and – in a huge shock – Loredo & Chanelle. All 6 produced desperate, spectacular dances for their lives – the “best ever” according to Jason Gilkison. Faced with a “very very hard decision”, the judges split their votes for both girls and guys, but ultimately the unlucky couple to miss out were Stephen & Ash-Leigh.
Ash-Leigh said through teary eyes that she’d had “the most amazing experience” and had “learnt so much”. Then, in a breaking voice, Stephen implored our Top 16 to “kill it every week”. Did Australia get it right? Did the judges? Let us know by leaving your comments at the bottom of the article.
Top 18 Tango with Jason Gilkison
The show got off to an electric start with our Top 18 performing a sensational Tango, choreographed by the master himself, Jason Gilkison. “These guys are so fantastic to work with”, he said.
Matt loves coming to work Monday because he gets to see our dancers demonstrate their collective talents but he was also nervous. “I just hope Australia has got it right”.
Stephen & Ash-Leigh make Bottom 3 again
The first 3 couples called up to hear the verdict were last week’s crowd favourites Penny & Charlie, last week’s judges’ darlings Kat & Danny, and Lamb & Timomatic. Penny & Charlie were the first to hear they were safe, then Lamb & Tim’s names were called. Were they in the clear too? No, they were first into the Bottom 3 – but both were “excited” to be dancing for their lives.
Amy & Damien safe - Loredo & Chanelle in danger
The next couples called to hear their fate were Loredo & Chanelle, BJ & Gianne and one of last week’s Bottom 3 couples, Amy & Damien. Would they be in our Bottom 3 again? No! They were safe, and instead it would be Loredo & Chanelle dancing for their lives.
Lamb & Timomatic make 3
The final 3 couples called on stage were Talia & Emmanuel, Ben & Pania and the other remaining couple from last week’s bottom 3, Stephen & Ash-Leigh. After their much more encouraging comments last night, surely they were safe? No, they weren’t. But, again, Stephen put a brave face on it: “It’s going to be fun”.
As the unfortunate dancers went backstage to prepare to dance for their lives, Nat announced what we all suspected – that BJ & Gianne had won the McDonald’s “I’m lovin’ it” moment from last night with their inspired nostalgic Debbie Ellis routine.
After special guest, Cassie Davis, made her TV debut with chorey by Project Moda, the 6 dancers in jeopardy returned to the stage to perform – possibly for the last time on So You Think You Can Dance.
The Ladies dance for their lives
Lamb performed an “aggressive” routine because she had “amazed herself” and couldn’t wait to see what else she could do. Chanelle danced a “love story” with some spectacular moves that fulfilled her desire to “shine”. Ash-Leigh overcame her natural shyness to deliver a routine with “fire” and “sexiness”, giving herself every chance of being able to continue conquering her fears.
The guys turn it on
Now it was the turn of the guys. Tim rocked the house with his groundwork because if he left now it would be with “so much more to show”. Loredo started “in a shell” and then “burst out” to reveal who he was. Stephen produced a characteristically flamboyant routine dedicated to his mad cycling father.
Jason G declared it the “best male dance for your life ever”. Was he talking about Stephen? Or the 3 guys? Matt said they could only work with what they had been given. Bonnie said “Great dancers would go home and great dancers would stay”. Jason C commended all the dancers for having “given your all”.
As the judges retired to consider their verdict, the Chinese Martial Arts Dance spectacular Wind of Shaolin brought gasps of disbelief from the audience. Would the crowd soon be doing the same thing when the judges delivered their elimination decisions?
The Verdicts
The girls were called up. Jason Coleman said it had been “a very very hard decision”. In fact, the 4 judges had been in a “bit of a lock” and they’d had to go to a “count back”. Still, they couldn’t come to a unanimous decision. But “the journey ends tonight for you, Ash-Leigh”. As she’d said in her package, she had been “a fighter to the end” and she should be “proud to have reached this far”.
The decision was even harder in relation to the guys. The judges had to consider their “whole journey” to this point. Jason then said he would send one dancer back to safety - the dancer staying was Timomatic.
The Hip Hopper fell to the floor in relief, but Loredo and Stephen looked sick with anxiety. Jason said that he hated being in this position and sitting there gave him “chills”. But it was his job and the dream was ending for Stephen.
Distraught but dignified, Stephen encouraged dancers who were “different” to “believe in what you think is great dancing”. Turning his attention to the teary Top 16, he said he wanted to “thank all you guys over there”. They had opened his eyes up to “so many things”. Then with the kind of emphatic gesture you’d expect from our freaky deaky Stephen, he said that those remaining had to “kill it every week”.
Next up – Top 16
Of our remaining 8 couples, 3 have been exposed to the fearful experience of being in the Bottom 3. Will it drive Amy & Damien, Lamb & Timomatic, and Loredo & Chanelle to reach new heights? Will Penny & Charlie continue as favourites? Have Ben & Pania begun their run for the title? Watch our Top 16 on Sunday night at 7.30pm to find out.
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