by Gina Scarpa

Last night, on So You Think You Can Dance, it was the end of the road for Caitlin Kinney.  She and partner Jason Thompson came out of the gate strong this season with a memorable Bollywood routine but were never really able to meet the judges' expectations from that point on.  They landed in the bottom more times than they would've cared to and always fought hard, in their solos, to stay in the competition.  It was such a tough decision for the judges to eliminate Caitlin (and hip hop dancer Phillip Chbeeb), that they decided to announce on the live results show that the two would be joining the Top 10 on tour this season.  Today, Caitlin spoke to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about her experiences on the show.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Have you tried out for So You Think You Can Dance prior to this season?
A. Caitlin: I had tried out and I didn't even make it to Vegas.  I was cut after choreography.  I had just had hip surgery.  This season, I wasn't even planning on doing it.  My sister auditioned and encouraged me to go back.  It was a last minute thing.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was it comforting to have your sister go through this audition process with you or did it stress you out?
A. Caitlin: A little bit of both but definitely more on the comforting side.  Vegas week is not fun.  It's intense and stressful.  It was wonderful to have her there.  All of the stuff from the day would just melt away.  We don't get to see each other often because we live in different cities so it was really great to have that time together.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your reaction when you found out that Jason would be your partner this season?  Did you get to know him during Vegas week at all?
A. Caitlin: I actually didn't know Jason that well, which is funny.  I think he was the last person I thought I'd get partnered with.  I thought I'd get Phillip.  It turned out to be a great partnership with Jason, though.  I think we both struggled with the chemistry which is funny because we have such a great friendship.  Out of all the partners, I think we hung out and socialized with each other the most.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It always surprised me a little when the two of you landed in the bottom.  Did it surprise you?
A. Caitlin: You know, with the hip hop, we weren't surprised at all.  I don't think I was ever shocked.  Everyone on the show is so amazing.  I was shocked when we weren't in the bottom that Brian Freedman week, though.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Is there any dance that another couple performed that really impressed you?
A. Caitlin: I really wanted that pas de deux.  I was so jealous because that's my forte, classical ballet.  Everyone is always jealous of everyone.  I'll tell you what I would probably never want to do is Brandon and Janette's tango.  That is so hard!  It wasn't overly impressive with crazy lifts or anything but I don't think people realize how hard that was!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you take comfort in the fact that, even though you were eliminated, Nigel announced that you'd be going on the tour?
A. Caitlin: Yes, I took a lot of comfort in that.  I don't think they've ever done that.  Phillip and I were touched that the Top 12 would be going.  It was more of a celebration last night.  We've all gotten so close.  It was definitely a bittersweet night but I was so happy.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Is there a routine that you hope makes it onto the tour?
A. Caitlin: I'm kind of thinking Bollywood.  Jason and I were like, "Oh God, Jai Ho, here we go!"  We started practicing again.  I don't know though.  I just wanna wear that fox trot costume again!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans?
A. Caitlin: Just thank you over and over again.  The support is wonderful and overwhelming.  The emails and message I've gotten saying I've inspired people is amazing.  That's why I do what I do.  If you can inspire people... that's a life worth living.


Be sure to tune in when the Top 10 hit the stage on So You Think You Can Dance, Wednesday night at 8pm on FOX.

(Image courtesy of FOX)