By Ashley Thompson

 

Day 1: Here we are at the final auditions for the 2014 season. Nigel and Mary are joined by Lil Buck on the judges panel in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mariah Reives, 18, Sanford, NC - This jazz dancer started dancing when she was three years old (pretty standard) and knows how to throw in an incredible trick or two. Good personality and likable which is why Nigel sends her straight to Vegas baby! Can't wait to see more!

 

Erik "Silky" Moore, 24, Orlando, FL -This hip-hop dancer actually auditioned for seasons 5 and 6 as a tapper. Can third time be the charm? His claim to waiting so long to return is to "analyze the show". He's definitely a performer and thinks he knows what the judges want. And maybe he does because he gets that ticket to Vegas.

 

Kelly MacCoy, 18, OH - This jazz dancer was born to entertainment parents and feels more than ready for this audition. Her style is athleticism meets dancing but her facial expressions are a bit much. The judges call her out on her over expressive facials but send her to Vegas anyways.

 

Christopher "Mr. Strange" Griffin, 25, Cybertron aka Atlanta, GA - He is a member of Dragon House (hip-hop), which auditioned during Season 9 when we watched Cyrus make it to the finale and Season 11 with Blue Print. Mr. Strange is back representing his crew and the judges like what they see... he is on to Vegas! I've seen better but maybe the Dragon House rep got him through? We shall see.

 

Conrad Dechabert, 26, KY - After auditioning last season he was told he was too feminine and they were concerned with partner work. But this contemporary dancer is back (with less makeup and more tattoos) and Conrad is hoping to show more masculinity. It's obvious he's trying hard to be stronger but his face give it all away. Nonetheless he's off to Vegas.

 

Taveous "Dynamic" Woods, 18, Las Vegas - Fik-Shun, winner of Season 10, encouraged him to dance and this little hip-hop dancer is definitely entertaining. I want to see if he's capable of anything else and so do the judges... he is off to the choreography round. Unfortunately that's his last stop.

 

Brandon "Sideshow" Feimster, 22, Detroit - Part of the Dragon House crew. Although calling it pop-locking, the judges fail to see it. Apparent that he can't take criticism, the judges decide he isn't right for the show. His crew members, and maybe his mother, are appalled... even apologizing to Nigel for Sideshow's behavior. This is the end of SYTYCD for Brandon, maybe even the end of Dragon House.

 

CHOREOGRAPHY ROUND - 12 dancers make it through during Day 1 in Atlanta!

 

Day 2: Jenna Dewan-Tatum joins Nigel and Mary for the last part of the Atlanta auditions.

Ricky Ubeda, 18, Miami -Watching the show since Season 1 and now at 18 years old this contemporary dancer is auditioning himself.

"Dabbling" in other styles including 2 classes of ballroom the judges are impressed with his incredible lines and beautiful movements... and he is off to Vegas of course.

 

Marissa Milele, 18, Nashville, TN - She made it to the Green Mile last year and calls herself the Princess Warrior, Nigel calling her The Beast. To me she looks too much like a gymnast in her performance, lacking any really movement other than flipping and strength. But apparently the judges saw some dancing that I didn't because she is off to Vegas.

 

Elaine Kimble, 26, Kansas City, MO - Her mother got her into dancing when she was 6 years old. After her mothers stroke at 43 Elaine was tested and diagnosed with a heart defect she shares with her mother. Although she is a very good contemporary dancer there's just no real emotion. She never seems to come out of her shell, so the judges send her to choreography to see more. She eventually gets that Vegas ticket, though.

 

Brandon "Crazy Legz" Jacobs, 23, Atlanta - He is part of the Atlanta Cranking crew and determined to make cranking the new "in" dance style. He's fun to watch but has no real substance behind his "dancing". It's no surprise they send him to choreography. But that's the end of his SYTYCD journey this year.

 

Angelina Granitz, 18, West Palm Beach, FL - This contemporary dancer has been dancing since she was 3, all because she wanted to be like her brother. Nigel seems to think she is nervous but I think she's just socially awkward. Her boring demeanor diminishes once the music starts and she's actually a steady dancer with gorgeous legs , smooth transitions and tons of emotion. No doubt she deserves that Vegas ticket.

 

Justin Bieber and Nick DeMoura are back and introducing the final two dance crews vying for that live performance on the finale. Tonight we have Jungle Boogie (#SYTYCDboogie) and Control Freakz (#SYTYCDfreakz).

 

Cristina Moya-Palacios, 18, Miami, FL - To get her out of the hospital while her brother was being treated, Christina's mother enrolled her in dance classes. Well, it's done well for her. Her body has perfect movements that hit all the right places and her lines are long and lean extending to eternity. She may be one of the favorites this year. Of course she is off to Vegas.

 

Jerrod Swain - This ATL cranking crew member may have possibly smoked pot before his interview but claims to be exhausted from waiting to be the final audition. He brings his 4 year old son on stage, dead asleep, but once that music comes on he perks up and blows the audience away. His dad, however, isn't as impressive, but still gets a pass to the choreography round. The humbling experience was his last for this year, he doesn't get a ticket to Vegas.

 

Next week we see some boot-camp style choreography and dancing and learn who is going to go further this season.

 

Photo courtesy of FOX