kalibean

The only thing that makes sense to me is that they were stubbornly locked on Amy and Maddie, and needed to pull in a "glamour girl" to finish things out. I find Gina attractive, but I don't like the three of them for the triangle. I honestly don't know who I really want, but not this. Or that. Or any of this. LOL.

Oh sure - Whitney doing blackface at a Halloween party. The pic went viral and a statement had to be put out by the DCC. It was seemingly done more out of ignorance than malice, but still more of a PR issue and true problem than Jenna's series of poor choices.

You know it's funny...I didn't love Kashara being point over Jenna, even though Jenna was a total dipshit. She really was a fabulous dancer and I thought she would be the best person for the spot. I mean, prior points made way bigger errors in judgment and still retained point. That said... It's like Kelli and Judy doubled down. Oh the people went nuts about Kashara being point? Let's DOUBLE DOWN.

They only have to look to Kashara for an example of picking spark over seniority...let’s get back to that ideal, pretty please. Kashara wasn’t always the strongest dancer as point, but she’s fun to watch and super cute. Plenty of people on the squad that can make that work. I feel bad for saying it, but I don’t even care for Maddie or Amy to be in the main triangle.

I like it too. Charlotte looks great right now. I do think she looks around her age, but in a very Dallas way. I would have said late 40’s early 50’s, but I’ve lived in Dallas most of my life and am used to that look 😂

Ohhhh I loved her so much! And IIRC, the judges were super into it too. Didn’t she close auditions that year? She was one of my favorite DCC’s. A mom, a teacher, all around kickass lady. Like I said upthread, there’s a place for Maddie and her approachable, NappyTabs style of dance, but hip hop doesn’t need to be watered down for DCC. Curious how Gina would do, for example, or Holly (outside of that one SG routine.) I always loved watching the lyrical dancers stretch into other genres on SYTYCD, and when the hip hop dancers would do the same. So many gifted dancers out there that can really do it all.

Comfort from SYTYCD came immediately to mind for me - I loved her original season and she’s been back as an all star. Here’s a link to a dance she did with Jasmine (Kelli would die for those legs) and the choreography is by Nappy Tabs, who are about white bread as can be. But is fine and could make for a fun DCC solo. Here’s a link to a bunch of her solos: That said, I think there’s a place for Maddie on the squad, but I don’t get the hype or the showcase. Makes me triple think that Jinelle was plain robbed.

I’m all for Lexie in the triangle, but she wasn’t the blonde I wanted for point. I’m all for a second year leapfrogging a senior vet if it can’t be Gina. May the best woman win, as RuPaul says 🤷‍♀️

I always wonder that about my high school self...never ate breakfast, barely anything for lunch, worked out and did weights daily, 30 hours a week hustling at a retail job, bulimic...how on earth wasn’t I skinny? I ate like garbage. Tacos with tots and a bag of gummies when I worked at the mall. A “light” orange Julius that was probably packed full of calories. Mall food, man. Anyway, calories in, calories out. And as an adult? A bottle of wine isn’t all that hard to drink and has plenty of calories. Liquid calories are so killer. Unless you’re only eating meat, veggies, and an occasional vodka soda, it’s easy to gain weight. Can’t always outrun a bad diet, even with a great metabolism. For as much garbage food (aka tasty) as Molly posts, I bet she eats pretty clean most of the time. And sometimes your body is just a stubborn asshole 🤷‍♀️ (But for real, NO MILKSHAKES VK.)

Just got an email for the Rockette’s Christmas spectacular...and of course Jacie is one of the gals featured! There are four black women in the pic, actually, which is great to see. I believe there were only two darker skinned ladies in the show last year. I assume this is a new cast for the 2019 season, but I could be wrong. If any of you are in NYC while the show is playing, I highly recommend it! So delightful.

Last would be rotten. I think the sweet spot would be 2/3 of the way through, especially for the ones in college. Paid dance job for the summer with a lot of practice in the DCC style, setting you up for next season. For the career girls working 40 hours a week? Cut them early (ie Malena.) I can’t imagine two months of 8-5 then 6-12 practice and trying to function. If they aren’t sooooo close to making the team, let them go. The TCC like Mackenzie who were amazing but needed flexibility are an exception...she truly needed time but was 100% everywhere else.

I think consistency and lack of jiggle are key. The white shorts look terrible when they’re too tight, so if a girl hops from a 4 to a 6 easily it’s gonna show. And I don’t think it’s reasonable for them to have to size up shorts because a dancer can’t maintain their figure. That’s a pretty solid standard for any paid dance job. I do think there’s room for a curvier figure like Kashara’s or even dayton’s that Kelli loves so much, but that goes back to jiggle where jiggles shan’t be. Some DCC manage to gain ten pounds without too much adverse effect, others (like Hannah) not so much. Ten pounds impacts everyone differently depending in height, build, etc.

It’s amazing to me that this year’s team is turning out weak when the deck was totally stacked in DCC’s favor. One of the highest vet return rates, so many of the Mavericks dancers trying out, several returning TCC, etc. I know we’ve got some weaker higher year vets, but other than a select few, they’re all still bringing value to the table, and last year’s rookies were strong. I don’t love VK, of course, but the squad has had worse dancers and I think she’s attractive enough. I personally find her cuter than several vets as long as she isn’t making the surprise face. So how on earth is a week squad happening??? Against all odds...

If they cut a vet this late in the game, I would assume it’s because of an unrelated injury, ambassador risk, major weight gain, etc. We keep hearing this rookie class isn’t that strong, so getting outdanced wouldn’t be enough. And also damned rude this late in the game. As time moves on, I can’t find huge fault on the TPTB on any vet that’s been cut during camp. Bummed, sure, but I understood it.

I’m bummed for Gina. She’s on par with Maddie and Amy looks wise (all attractive at some level, but not on most’s top ten) and is such a killer dancer. I know Amy and Maddie are super nice, but I don’t get it otherwise. Wonder how the rest of the formation shakes out?

Can confirm! She works with one of my friends and seems like a lovely person. Enjoyed seeing her on social media via my friend’s posts. She’s very pretty (inside and out), but her smile is a little tough. I don’t think you meant anything by it, but I hate to see Lily in that company. Chelsea is and was a ridiculous hot mess, and I felt like Keyra tried out at the exact right moment to make the team. Lily doesn’t seem like she’s up for any drama and BS, and I agree that she’ll likely do a short tenure.

And I sure did agree with her! I also thought Chandler was quite mousy in her dance style as well...I was surprised she made it into camp. A lot of girls can be glammed up, but I don’t think recall that happening for her during makeovers. And google wasn’t much help! VK would have been 13ish when Chandler was a TCC and was going through the braces and such to help fix her smile, so I don’t think TK making that judgement despite her own daughter would have really been a thing yet. Other than poor choice in lipstick and posting way too many open mouth surprise face selfies, I think VK’s corrective measures did the trick.

I agree with you and might have worded it awkwardly in my first post - it’s low pay for skilled workers, which I also consider these women to be. That said, unfortunately a lot of skilled labor positions across many industries have low hourly rates for the education/training required. I don’t think the Cowboys will go the way of the Steelers or Packers and go without cheerleaders any time soon, but I am curious what societal changes that impact other pro sports teams might eventually impact the DCC. Tho the people trying out is much lower than period years, the pool of talent is still strong despite the low pay, so I don’t see that changing any time soon. It’s a paying dance job without living in LA or NYC, plus provides a springboard for other possibilities, so I totally get why people are still interested. ETA: I feel like half the pool of peeps on The Bachelor/Bachelorette any given season are from DFW...it amazes me what people are willing to do and give up for a chance to be on reality tv or get that Instagram influencer money. At least the DCC get a check 😂

Minimum wage in Texas is $7.25, so definitely more. Still low for a skilled worker, which I would consider these gals to be. That’s the average, tho...when I originally calculated, I took the rookie appearance fee, game day flat rate then I might have assumed $10 an hour for everything else? When I hit my limit at work today, I’ll track down my old math post 🙂 As for rent, Dallas is still one of the most affordable big cities, and rent in a decent apartment is doable with a roommate and a secondary source of income like teaching dance, etc like many of these ladies have. Maybe not a fancy place right at The Star or at The Shops at Legacy, but lots nearby in Addison, Plano, etc.

I tried to give it a quick search in the old answer thread, but Shelly confirmed that the DCC were paid for rehearsals a few years ago, including any and all CMT randomness. I did the math a couple years back and the rookies averaged around $18.50 an hour between game days, appearances, etc. I could be off in my math but it made sense at the time 😂 Not a huge amount, of course, and I would love to see them paid more, but I’ve seen worse too.

I honestly don’t mind the ones that come in with an agenda, as long as they give it their all and complete their contract. If they want a year of experience and hope to bounce to greater things, great! If it’s a year on their resume to bolster their plans for a dance studio, choreographer experience, moving on to coach another team, etc. If you just want the Instagram likes, super! Complete the contract, be a good teammate. Done.

Gotta have a blonde tho! Surprised they didn’t use Rachel W. No one else is coming to mind for me other than Lexie. I thought Daphne was very pretty last year, but def has slimmed down too much. Hopefully she’s finding balance and is healthy and happy.

RE the interview: for me, Maddie and Amy’s gifts lie with their ability to interact with others, particularly kiddos. I can see where they are tremendous assets in studio, with the camps, even on appearances. They both lack the power and projection for the field IMO. Amy moreso, but I admire the heck out of her for co-owning a business and her sunny attitude. They wouldn’t make my short list for media bits like this interview, calendar, etc. But for sure a place for them on the team, and I see why they’re group leaders as well.

I thought you said what the ELF and I totally snickered. Because you wouldn’t be wrong 🤷‍♀️

I think we were saying the same thing when we all realized how many of last year’s rookies were returning. Assuming all vets had made it back, weren’t there only 7-8 spots for new rookies? And knowing one of those was likely predetermined for VK, it’s a super competitive year. Plus Kelli always can count on some returning TCC (Lily, Kristen, etc.,) she knew about the Mavs dancers shutting down, she knows who is coming from ice angels, local studios, TCU/SMU Pom, etc. High veteran return and the Mavs dancers shutting down was enough. I honestly expected more veterans to be cut, but I think some of the weaker veterans dance wise are dependable 3/4 year girls they don’t want to risk. Which is why the point thing is so unclear.