by Gina Scarpa

Due to the World Series on FOX this week, So You Think You Can Dance only aired one night of competition.  The Top 20 dancers were paired up and performed a routine from the judges.  From there, the bottom two guys and the bottom two girls were named and they danced for their lives.  Among that group was contemporary dancer Ariana DeBose.  Her hip hop routine with tapper Peter Sabasino left the panel feeling underwhelmed and she became the first female cut from the competition.  Today, she spoke to reporters in a press conference call and shared her feelings about the “Meet The Top 20” special and her level of confidence with RealityWanted.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Were you happy that the show decided to do a “Meet The Top 20” special so that America could get to see you dance in your element and get to know you a little bit better?
A. Ariana: I was!  I loved the Top 20 special, simply because there were some contestants who got more air time than others.  I was one of those contestants that you didn’t get to know during Vegas week. 
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Considering the caliber of the dancers this season, how confident did you feel going into the first week of competition?
A. Ariana: Honestly, I always have confidence in my dancing.  I trust myself and I did the best that I could do.  The Top 20 is fantastic and every week, it’s going to be so hard to eliminate someone.  Everyone is so different.  It’s going to be so hard to compare everyone to each other.  I was very proud of what I did last night.  The outcome is what it is.
 
 
Q. One of the real trends this year is that the guys are from big cities but the girls are from small towns.  Tell us about your experience growing up and how you came to be interested in dance.
A. Ariana: My family owned a farm in Ivanhoe, NC and it’s out in the middle of nowhere.  We would have big family reunions out there but I didn’t actually grow up on a farm.  I think it was a little misrepresented on the show.  I started dancing when I was 3.  My mom put me in class and I just loved to move around.  I got really serious about it when I was 10.  What made me get really serious was the freedom that I felt when I was dancing.  I was so happy and it was fun!
 
Q. Have you heard how Noelle is doing?  If she can’t continue in the competition, would you take her place?
A. Ariana: I have not heard from Noelle.  I hope that she’s doing well and that her MRI came out ok.  Noelle and I come from the same studio so honestly, I would probably feel a little funny taking her place.  I mean, who doesn’t want a second chance but I don’t want to be eliminated again.
 
Q. Have you given any thought into staying in L.A. to pursue dance?
A. Ariana: Actually, I’m more focused on New York.  I want to dance on Broadway.  I sing and act as well and I was doing all of that before I even auditioned for the show.  The show was just another path for me.  I’m going to head to New York for a little bit and audition for shows, commercials, and movies and see what happens.
 
Q. Do you feel like the results would’ve been different if America got to vote last night?
A. Ariana: I’m not sure.  I feel like it might’ve turned out differently but you never know.
 
Q. Who do you think is going to do well this season?  Any predictions?
A. Ariana: It’s a crap shoot!  Everyone is fantastic.  I don’t think you can count anyone out.  It’s going to be a week by week thing.
 
 
Be sure to tune in when the Top 18 takes the stage on So You Think You Can Dance, Tuesday night at 8pm ET on FOX.

(Image courtesy of FOX)

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