Kaedee

I agree. However, girls are grouped together by blondes, brunettes, etc. to see who stands out against the pack. When you've got a row of blondes there - who's standing out? Who captures your attention? Who's smile is the biggest, the brightest? That's why they're grouping them in like-looks. I do think Kelli and Charlotte look for "different" too, though don't think they confine themselves to the light/dark line. Carisa Rose, Joannah Liad, Malia Morales, Kim Tong, the Trevino sisters, Yoshiko Danjo, Alyssa Sarasani and so many others are also diverse. Kelli and Charlotte liked Ashley Pro because she had a look they didn't have before; the Eastern European, Slavic look. Paula Tabares had a unique look too. I so agree that the DCC are definitely going for much more technical dancers rather than those with a cheer, rangerette or gymnastics background. To get to the dance proficiency they want now takes years of lessons, and those are expensive, time-consuming and socially-restricting. That'll knock a lot of people out of the running for DCC.

To me, it almost seems unfair to bring Amy into TC with her kicks the way they are. I thought it was rather unfair to bring Taylor in last year too. Both these girls have/had serious issues with their kicks, and we know DCC isn't going to take them when their kicks don't match the rest of the squad. We know low kicks are a deal-breaker despite being a powerhouse like Taylor. I know Mackenzie was able to get her kicks somewhat higher with serious stretching, bar method and reflexology. But those sessions cost a lot of money, and her kicks still weren't really in line with the rest of the squad. Taylor had everything but the kicks, and she was devastated about getting cut. I guess most would say it was worth it to get even a chance at TC.

I'm on the fence with regards to Amy. When I first saw her in S9, she uttered that totally clueless, "I'm sure I want this more than anybody." That always rubs me the wrong way. I loved it when Rachel Buckmaster said when she was cut, "I worked really hard for this; but then, so has everyone else." Also, everything seems so melodramatic with Amy. Her whole entire life needs to be put on hold because of this dream, her weepiness ... it just all seems so over the top. I'm not rooting against her. But don't know that I'll root for her either.

Agree that Kelli (initially) goes for looks. But as I said before - and if you're only looking at the light/dark equation - the DCC has had more AA DCCs in the past, and Kelli was the Director then too; has been for more than 25 years. So either the AA girls auditioning now aren't as skilled as the gals in the past, or there just aren't as many AA dancers auditioning. Could be that with the explosion in music and music videos since the 1990's, many girls are choosing to audition and get dance jobs in other venues, and I wouldn't blame them. DCC is only one, narrow avenue of dancing. The music industry path is much broader and certainly pays better. Really? Wow.

Maybe Cowboys organization makes up for lack of perceived diversity in DCC by their football players being 85% AA. :) I think Kelli, and especially Judy, go by skill, not by a desire to vary the squad demographically. Like players, candidates are added by their skill. And yeah, some years DCC has had more obvious ethnic variety, like in the late '90's. early '00's there were more AA ladies than now. There were also more blondes too. But there's more to diversity in ethnicity than dark/light. Last year there were 3-4 girls of Asiatic-influenced ethnicity, plus a couple of Eastern influence (I thought Mary was Persian-American. Could be wrong...). There's a whole wonderful plethora of variety out there in the world! I hope girls of all varieties and backgrounds continue to be interested in auditioning.

I liked Ashley, and when she was cut I sent her a tweet saying I'd miss her on the squad. She answered by favoriting my tweet. I didn't expect any acknowledgement, so that was nice. Ashley may have done her "thank you's" in a different manner than openly. LOL Got it. :D

Is it Shelbi's dancing that's a problem, her technicality, or her memory retention of the dance sequences?

Condolences are expressions of sympathy. They're not solely reserving for death circumstances. :) I think Kat is being very classy to acknowledge the fans who've tweeted her and said they'll miss her.

I believe Kat was well liked among the DCCs, and well liked by Kelli and Judy. When watching S10 of MTT and since in photos and clips, she seems like a really nice, classy girl. But we've all seen through the years that just because Kelli likes you enough to initially overlook some style issues, weight issues, etc. doesn't mean it gets overlooked for a second year unless there's significant improvement. Many have speculated (taken from comments at S10 TC) that Kat's power and projection just weren't enough to match the rest of the DCCs. And IMHO, her relying on her rhythmic gymnastics skills for a second year again showcased her fluidity rather than her power. I bet there was a LOT of deliberation about her.

I don't see anything wrong with Stephanie's red hair. I like it. I think she looks good with brown or red hair. Thanks for the 411 on who won the FF vote, dccfan37. I'm still rather bummed Jamie didn't make TC. She's auditioned and made finals at least 3 times. Too bad she couldn't quite make that last push into TC. :( I don't think she'll audition again. I thought this pic was nice. :)

I joined Instagram just so I could see the vids being posted there! I've got 4 followers and I haven't posted a thing! LOL

BSG - There's plenty of red/auburn heads on the team: Stephanie, Raylee, Claire, Holly, and Jennifer. They need a few more blondes. :)

Still nothing from Caila or Kat on their Twitter or Instagram pages. :( I don't think Ashley P posted for a few days either, though.

Amy worked for an automotive assembly line manufacturing plant in Rockford IL before she moved to Dallas to really pursue DCC. I admired Amy's drive to get into DCC. In S9 I didn't like her saying, "I want this more than anybody." Everybody wants it! That's why they work so hard! Also, for S10, the crying kinda got on my nerves.

My 2nd season Vet TCC favs are: Megan C, Amy T and KaShara.

Man, the S9 Rookie squad has taken a beating. 10 made the squad; Courtney retired and Ashley P and Breelan were cut after 1 season. That left 7. Then Mary, Loren and Veronica retire after 2 years and Caila gets cut! Man, the world was not kind to the Rookies of 2014.

Agree with the not bringing girls in because of the Internet. Also, don't know how many girls they bring in just for drama. TCCs are going to be cut, because they bring in 44-46 TCCs usually, and the squad has averaged 35-36 members. So cutting people is its own drama. I think the "meh" feeling some of us are experiencing is; first: viewer fatigue - we've watched this show for 10 seasons now. Some of the finals and TC drama is a bit been there, done that because we've seen girls in that same situation for 10 seasons now. A post referenced to some candidate being this year's Vivian, and we all know what she's talking about! lol It helps to remember that while we've seen the situation before, most time its a first for the girl in it. Second, the show doesn't vary because that's the way the auditions are; Kelli et al don't really try to "shake things up." There are preliminaries, those going to semis are announced by Phil bringing out the board. At semis they learn the combination and do the kick line, and so on through TC. The fan vote has been the only real attempt to change the audition dynamic to engage the viewer. There are some forgettable DCCs - but then, since S1 there's always been DCCs that blend into the woodwork. Those girls that aren't really showcased. I look back at past seasons and always see girls that were never featured and who I can't remember seeing on the squad. (Less now because I've watched past seasons so many times! lol ) Anyway, I plan to enjoy this season and see if someone catches my eye like Brooke, Jordan, Brittany, Melissa, Ashley P, and KaShara to name a few. :)

I'm so glad Emily R and Kelly Q made it to TC. It's nice to see some old triers. I felt such a disconnect to the TCCs last year, that it'll be good to see some familiar faces in the TC crowd. :) I don't think Amy S was brought to TC just to be fodder for cuts. Yes, this is a reality show, but the girls must have some chance at being able to learn the routines or have something K/J/C like for them to get into TC, even if its just the fan vote. I don't know if Amy won the fan vote; maybe there was a tie for #1. Taking 47 girls into TC is new, isn't it? Usually there's 44-45 going. Last year there was 46 with Colby because Colby was there strictly on the fan vote. But it was a really tough judging year too.

Yeah, I'm bowing out as well. Time for some sleep! I'm sad for Caila and Kat, but glad the rest of the Rookies made it to TC for their 2nd year. :) Night all!

Did red-haired Jamie make TC?

Good news!

I'm glad Simone and Jax made it back. They were 2 of the 3 Rookies I thought might get cut. The other was Kat. :(

Jaclyn is still there

Chantel's still there

Raylee, Stephanie, Amy T, Amy L and SImone ae still there...