In a contentious decision, Ashley Valerio and Max Kapitannikov were sent home in the second week of 'So You Think You Can Dance.'After the six contestants at the bottom of the voter standings performed solos, executive producer and head judge Nigel Lythgoe noted that neither decision was unanimous. In the end, however, they cut Ashley, who danced a hip-hop routine with Kupono Aweau; and Max, who performed a pop-jazz number with partner Kayla Radomski.
Next week, the eliminated dancers' partners, Kupono and Kayla, will be paired together.
Joining those two couples in the bottom were Caitlin and Jason (hip hop).
Also on the results show:
• Top 18 group dance: Contemporary choreographed by Mia Mias, set to 'Higher Ground' (Stevie Wonder)
• Musical guest: Kristiana DeBarge, 'Goodbye'
• Guest dancer: Amrapali Ambegaoka, Kathak
Check out what Ashley and Max had to say in their exit interviews ...
Ashley on what went wrong with her hip-hop routine:
I actually felt like me and Kupono performed that dance the best we possibly could. I re-watched it just to see where we went wrong or what we could've have done better. I think there's always room for improvement, but I think we looked great. I really don't have regrets about what we did ... You know, some people like you and some people don't. You can't please everyone.
Max on whether he was surprised to be eliminated:
I kind of predicted that I was going to leave, when the judges were giving us their comments, when it was just me and Kupono. I don't think I have any regrets. Kupono is a good dancer, so is Jason and every other guy on the show.
SYTYCD' Photos
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE
Ashley on how Kupono and Kayla will fare as new partners:
I think Kayla and Kupono are going to be phenomenal together. I know working with Kupono, he was a great great persona and a great partner ... I think he'll bring out the best in Kayla.
Max on the difficulty of doing a solo as a ballroom dancer:
It's only 30 seconds and I think doing the jive routine, you could show a lot of things. I think it's really difficult for a ballroom dancer to do a solo, for 30 seconds especially.
Ashley on which of the judges voted for her:
I have no idea, I really don't know. I'm clueless to that decision. I was really confident last night, I felt really good doing my solo. I just have no clue.
Watch their performances from Wednesday night.
Ashley & Kupono, hip hop by Shane Sparks
Max and Kayla, pop-jazz by Brian Friedman
Max and Kayla, pop-jazz by Brian Friedman
Videos courtesy of MJ's Big Blog
Reader Comments (2)
Barbara at 4:04PM on Jun 19th 2009
What was the song used in Karla & Jonathan's 6/17 performance?
Dottie at 1:59AM on Jun 20th 2009
The fact that that DORK Phillip and his partner were safe after that AWFUL, AWFUL, AWFUL performance the night before just confirms to me that no matter how many people call in and vote (a) it is a personality contest and (b) the judges/producers (Nigel) do not hesitate to override the results. Phillip was saved because he is a dorky guy with a dorky personality and a one-shot pony popping routine which is boring after you have seen it once. They will keep him around for "entertainment value" not because he can dance. So sad and SO UNFAIR for the rest of the male dancers who get eliminated when Phillip should have been.