by Gina Scarpa

 

The new format this season on So You Think You Can Dance did not work to the advantage of Amber and Brandon this week. The contemporary dancer and stepper were paired together for the first time after losing their partners the week before, and impressed with a Ray Leeper jazz routine. Both landed in the bottom and ended up being eliminated, despite having breakthrough and breakout moments in their performances and solos.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: During Vegas and Top 20, which style was the toughest for the two of you to pick up?
A. Amber: For me, it was ballroom, just because I'm always nervous. I already had my mind set that that was the one that was going to freak me out. I got it in the first week.
A. Brandon: Likewise, ballroom. It was fun, but the technique... moving the feet and hips, the partnering... it was all new. It was hard to pick up within that hour before we had to show the judges in Vegas.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Amber, Nigel mentioned that the judges have been trying to get emotion out of you when you dance but it didn't seem like an issue until he brought it up. Was that a note that you got repeatedly?
A. Amber: Yeah, I always get that note. I'm really, really a contained person. I'm really shy. They just wanted me to open up. On the show, something just hit me. I like to perform so it showed! 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Brandon, you must be happy that you paved the way in the Top 20 for future steppers.
A. Brandon: Oh yes, definitely! It was a blessing to be able to represent for that genre. Stepping is such a huge culture across America, especially dealing with colleges, fraternities, and sororities. I'm pretty sure there's a lot of steppers or specialty genre dancers period that are saying, "I can do this. I can do what I do and still shine."

 

Q. All the judges raved about was how well you guys meshed. Can you describe your chemistry and how it was to find that connection?
A. Amber: Our connection was strong from the beginning. We were friends before we were even paired. The chemistry we had was pretty natural.
A. Brandon: When I found out Amber was going to be my partner, I was very excited. I'm a huge fan of Amber's, she's an amazing dancer. We were friends from first making the show. The connection was there immediately, it was very natural. The routine, on top of that, made it even more easy to connect with her. It was great. The connection and chemistry was immediate.

 

Q. Last week, a few of your colleagues said they were not as comfortable with the new elimination process. They didn't ask all of you guys to dance. Did you feel added pressure?
A. Amber: Of course, you feel added pressure. You take it all in and remember why you're there in the first place. I was thankful to be in the Top 20 and I guess it was my time to go. At that moment, I wanted to show America why I was there during my solo.
A. Brandon: Every time you're about to hit the stage, even when you're doing your duet, I feel like you're always dancing for your life. It's always pressure regardless. At the same time, it's an extra opportunity to be able to show America what you got. It was cool.

 

Q. What do you think of the new format? Does it feel rushed, do you wish it was different?
A. Amber: It feels a little rushed but I don't mind the new format. You still get to dance on elimination day. I mean, I'm okay with it!
A. Brandon: It's pretty neutral to me. I think the only disadvantage is that America doesn't have the opportunity to vote for that routine that you did that night as opposed to previous years. At the same time, you have the opportunity to perform that routine and change the judges' minds. It's a show and a competition. You still gotta go on and dance and prove to America and the judges why you're there. I have no bad feelings towards the new format at all.

 

Q. How was your experience on SYTYCD affected you and your dancing?
A. Amber: I think it's made me a stronger person, not even dance wise. This whole process makes you stronger, it pushes you, it opens up so many doors. You get to dance with so many amazing people and the dancers push you as well. You learn to attack every single moment you're given. I feel I've grown so much. I've opened up to America and I don't open up to anyone at all. I feel I can only go up from here.
A. Brandon: I mean, it's pretty much identical to everything Amber said. On top of that, me being a stepper, just learning the different genres from the other contestants - how they stretch, how they approach a turn or step, where it may come from in your body, just technical things I never would've known. Also, it taught me more about myself as well and my value, worth, and identity.

 

Q. What are your plans now?
A. Amber: For me, I'm planning to move to New York and start my career, whether it's Broadway or commercials. I just wanna start somewhere and work!
A. Brandon: Tomorrow, I have a movie coming up, Step Up Revolution. I will be enjoying that. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing some promotional things for that. I think the next push for me would be acting. I've been taking classes for the past year and it's been going pretty well.

 

So You Think You Can Dance airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on MTV.

 

(Image courtesy of MTV)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa