[S13 E11: Staying Strong]

I barely recognized Jalyn without makeup.. but dare I say, I thought she looked so pretty!  She looked like she could be a girl on America’s Next Top model. Not your typical beauty but definitely so striking!

[S13 E11: Staying Strong]

LOVED the scene with the group leaders giving their honest reviews.  I wish they had 30 minutes of that!  Only Kashara could get away with critiquing Victoria in her cute, charismatic way, but basically calling her immature and not giving thought to her words... I wonder if that resonated with Kelli.

Also, not to belabor the Victoria hatred, but a girl who is having issues with weight and only received 1 sticker (the fewest of ANY training camp candidate) would have been an easy cut by now.  The fact that 0 people picked Victoria except the dance teacher she pays to train with speaks volumes.  

If you need to make 5 cuts, and three are obvious, why not just cut them now and look for the remaining two?

PS. Not a Brennan fan but loved how the group leaders really pulled for her.  That made me root for her.

[S13 E10: The Next Level]

Just wanted to add: many of the black girls took pictures with Whitney, but that also doesn’t mean they nexcearily condoned it or thought it was fun.  It puts them in a weird place because it would seem overly sensitive or inappropriate to give Whitney a lecture about blackface at a Halloween party. So likely they just kept their mouths shut.  Yes, it was ten years ago and yes they may not have had any issues with it but just seeing a picture with everyone posing does not mean they gave their approval. 

[S13 E10: The Next Level]

4 hours ago, UnicornKicks said:

She's a sheltered white girl who is not the brightest, but I don't think she was intending to be offensive. 

She's never been known as a braniac. She definitely needed educated, but I don't think her intensions were bad...

The same could be said of Taylor T this year. 

I don't think the intentions are ever bad, but I do think it is someone's responsibility to pay attention to what is happening in the world!  Maybe it's just because I'm a news-junkie, but some of this stuff just seems so common sense to me.  But also, I live in New York.  And I'm Canadian.  Never been to Texas and never knew about the DCC until I saw the show, but now I'm obsessed.

[S13 E10: The Next Level]

7 minutes ago, PrincessLeia said:

Whitney was a different era.... sounds crazy to say because it wasn’t that long ago. There were a lot of cheerleaders at that party, and in pics with Whitney. Totally agree with the above poster that it was a huge wake up call to the power of social media.... and definitely opened Whitney’s eyes about how completely inappropriate and wrong that was. If it happened today, or even a few years later, I think it would be an immediate dismissal from the squad. 

I cannot imagine what it would have been like for a black girl on the squad who was attending the same Halloween party. Social media brought this to a larger population, but my heart goes out to those girls who might have had to deal with it firsthand and not say anything, but felt so offended inside. 

[S13 E10: The Next Level]

3 hours ago, Newmanbritt said:

Random question: Is it normal to have so many rookies so far up in triangle? Bridget (a TCC) is opposite to Amy (a group leader)? I find it odd to give someone who isnt on the team yet that spot over a veteran 

I am one who thinks it's amazing for a TCC to be up in the front.  If the team is truly a "World Class" dance organization, and each year the girls are auditioning to make the team, then every spot in the triangle should be up for grabs.  The best dancers to the front!  

Equally, there are TCC who make Showgroup in their rookie season when even group leaders or fifth year vets don't always make it (I think of Australian Angela as a prime example).  It's based on merit, not seniority.  

But answering your question, I don't think we've ever seen this make rookies so far forward.  I honestly think it's a combo of a really good rookie year, and a real lack of powerhouses in the remaining vets.  Even the Vets in showgroup are a bit... blah.

[S13 E10: The Next Level]

10 hours ago, Clarke said:

Imagine using Instagram as your only news source. Poor TT.

Definitely not defending Taylor T because that was one of the dumbest answers ever, but you could still use Instagram and get news if you followed the NewYorkTimes, NPR, the WashingtonPost, heck even Buzzfeed news and get plenty of information about the #MeToo movement, the Brett Cavanaugh hearing, even football injury controversies.  

If you’re only following your friends’ posts about about Pumpkin Spiced Lattes then of course you are going to be oblivious to current events. 

Equally if you watch tv but never turn it to the news and only watch The Bachelor, you’ll never have any clue what’s going on In the real world. 

She’s an idiot. Im sorry but the MeToo Movement is as prevalent as Donald Trump. And if you don’t know who that guy is, then I don’t even think you should come back the following year or any year after to try out again. 

[S13 E10: The Next Level]

1. Not knowing MeToo is about as dumb as not knowing what MAGA means or what a wall means, in that context. (?? Caila)

2. Not knowing MeToo is about as dumb as going out in blackface for Halloween. (?? Whitney I)

3. Victoria ignoring Jinelle is not just disrespectful to Jinelle but also disrespectful to Kelli. Kelli is the one who assigned Jinelle to help mentor Victoria. Regardless of whether Jinelle has had weight issues or not or how much knowledge she had to offer, it was Kelli’s idea. 

4. Kelli still never said the word “cut” to victoria. She said “you could go home” and danced around the idea but went out of her way to NOT use that word. 

[S13 E10: The Next Level]

The MeToo Movement is also known as the (hashtag) #MeToo movement. 

If you are only getting news from Instagram, there’s still a high probability you would know about the MeToo movement. Otherwise you gotta start following new/better people. 

Sorry Taylor but that’s just embarrassing!

[S13 E10: The Next Level]

Also did anyone notice that Victorias hair was different the day after she was called out about ignoring Jinelle?

It seemed as though she had washed and straightened and combed her hair. It looked flat but not nearly as messy as it usually does. I wonder if Kelli or Judy said something about it. 

[S13 E10: The Next Level]

It was definitely odd that they gave a talking head moment to Kelli regarding a “miscommunication” between Victoria and Jinelle. I was giddy with excitement and anticipation but I just found it bizarre that she was talking about it on top of that weird platform!

[S13.E09 Field of Fears]

Regarding the Jinelle thing, isn’t she also technically a coordinator and assistant for the DCC?  So regardless of her background and nutrition knowledge, she is one of the coaches who is there to assist. 

No one has ever accused Kelli and Judy of being unhelpful because they didn’t have to do the jumpsplit when they were DCC.. ultimately they are the coaches and the judges of who makes the team. 

I don’t see Jinelle as being assigned as a “nutrition expert” or someone who has had similar issues with weight; if so, they could have paired up VK with another girl on the team, like her GL Kashara. Jinelle was standing in as an assistant coach, a mentor and likely a second set of eyes for Kelli. Regardless of what VK (or viewers) think of Jinelle and how helpful she can be, she is part of the staff and that’s what makes this all the more irresponsible.

[S13.E08: Here Comes Kitty]

1 hour ago, DocBrown said:

Kitty defending VK was also ridiculous. Why does she deserve more respect? If she's been in the programme since she was 10 shouldn't she have a clearer idea than most about the standard that is expected? She's also not someone who has movd states and left family behind to pursue this, so she's already got a head start on some, why should she be given more of an advantage and be given time to get the weight off? 

This!  I know most people here don’t love Malena but I can understand giving someone the benefit of more time if they just quit a coveted job for this rediculous 12 week training program. But Victoria?!  They don’t even give the benefit to 3 year veterans who have already successfully showed their skills on the team. So why give this benefit to a rookie?  And one that they know has had years (decades!) of preparation, and has seemingly unlimited financial backing for this journey as well. 

There are countless girls who sleep on sofas or room with other strangers just for the opportunity to learn the dances and who miss other dance auditions by devoting their summer to this program. Victoria is not one who deserves our sympathy or any sort of special “respect”

[Finals, Training Camp and Social Media]

Imagine if Victoria tried out in Season 6. Imagine if Cassie had called out Victoria on her lies and bs instead of Taylor.  Now THAT would be a legacy season!!!

[S13.E08: Here Comes Kitty]

5 hours ago, scorpio1031 said:

Victoria may have power, but if I'm using my dance terms correctly - she needs more control.  She can't be all over the place.

Victoria could be the first DCC to move 5 yards in an 8 count during a dance.  Most girls reserve that for traveling down the field. Now that’s a legacy! ????????

[S13.E08: Here Comes Kitty]

I think there is truth in a legacy being more committed to, and devoting more of her time to the DCC but if you’re taking Legacies just because of history and tradition then you can’t call yourself a World-class organization  

Nobody is inviting Michael Phelps’ son to the Olympics just because his dad was such a standout athlete. 

[S13.E08: Here Comes Kitty]

5 hours ago, LadyMsJay said:

It's like she doesn't like girls who are (or who dance) confident(ly).

... unless they train at her studio and pay her bills.  Hi Morgan!  Hi Victoria!  ;)

[S13.E08: Here Comes Kitty]

Kitty also has some sort of vendetta against girls who are good dancers and know it - she called out Erica for her hair and made a bully out of Gina. The show always has to backtrack in future seasons when those girls end up being stars of the team. 

Girls Kitty didn’t like in their rookie years: Erica, Gina, Tara, Danielle, Jessica, Mia. Remind me again why we love Kitty so much?!  Just because she’s “brutally honest?” Her track record isn’t so great. 

[Finals, Training Camp and Social Media]

12 minutes ago, bigskygirl said:

I think Kelli "aha" moment comes when Charlotte finally had enough and tells Kelli to cut her. Kelli wanted a squad of 38 girls, but Charlotte said no to that. I think Kelli would have kept Victoria and Malena if she had the chance.

I do not think Victoria is a bad person either. She has made mistakes and hopefully she will learn from them. The best thing for her is to get away from her mother and go out in the real world and get some real life experience before trying out for the team again.

I would agree with this except that Malena and Lily were the final two cuts. That, in addition to a Charlotte also being one of Victoria’s biggest cheerleaders (pun intended). We know that Victoria is cut due to lying about seeing a nutritionist, and that’s likely the breaking point for Kelli. But I wonder if maybe there are other hints that come before it. Or if Judy starts to speak up (I would love this).  

As for Victoria, I agree with you and everyone else - she’s 18, needs time to mature, and will hopefully watch this season and come away with a lesson in humility. Hopefully. And maybe will make the team in a year or two when the spotlight isn’t so focused on her. I’m not a huge fan of Brennan but I’m happy she made the team without being a major storyline on this season. Some of the best girls have been under the radar: Jacie, Jenn Auburn, Lacey. 

[Finals, Training Camp and Social Media]

I think one of the biggest storylines this season is not Victoria’s journey, but actually Kelli’s. At the beginning, she is blinded by Victoria - she only sees the positive. Each episode we start to see the veneer cracking: people starting to challenge her (first Scott, now Denise), and she defends Victoria or tries to find excuses. But ultimately we know how this plays out. 

It will be interesting to see the exact “aha” moment where Kelli realizes she’s been wrong and needs to make the cut. (We are starting to see hints of this, specifically when Kelli tells Victoria she needs to focus on making the team and that she is serious). I don’t think we’ve ever seen this sort of narrative with Kelli on previous seasons, but we all have our favorites, we all make errors in judgement and we all learn from our mistakes. Maybe this is the season where ultimately it is Kelli’s journey we are watching, and Victoria (and Malena) are just consequences of her storyline. I just love how each episode is another straw on the camels back - waiting for it to finally break!

I happen to LOVE Kelli, think she is incredibly articulate and dynamic, and I don’t lay blame on her for having favorites or having clouded judgment. I’m just interested to see how it plays out and hopefully both Victoria and Kelli come away from this season with a fresh new perspective. I wonder if Kelli watches the season with new objective eyes and sees the faults, or if she’s still trying to figure out how/when it all went wrong. There’s a lot to be learned on both sides. 

[Finals, Training Camp and Social Media]

1 hour ago, pizzaandcatsrlife said:

She looks like Gigi Gorgeous.  Not a compliment (google her)

Gigi Gorgeous with a hint of Laganja Estranja!  ??????

[S13.E07: Big Time Dance]

6 hours ago, Loves2Dance said:

I find it ironic that Kelli keeps talking about missing Gabbi, but everyone who comes in comments on how amazing she is. 

She’s too busy focusing on how GREAT Viktoria is!  Maybe if she just danced her way into Gabbis area they’d see how good she is too.  

[Finals, Training Camp and Social Media]

50 minutes ago, dancer88 said:

Heather is a great dancer to watch. 

I love Heather!  One of my favorites and I would have suggested her as a possible point too. But after @JohnGalt mentioning that she was in the doghouse with Kelly, and losing her status as a Group Leader, I don’t know if they would make her point. I also noticed that she didn’t move up in the triangle this season - I believe Gina moved closer to the center and Heather never moved forward.  Before the beginning of this year, I would have guessed she was a shoo-in for Group Leader, Triangle and even calendar covergirl.  But what do I know, I was guessing a Maggie-Robin-Lacey triangle this year ???

[Finals, Training Camp and Social Media]

I know it's very premature, but I could see another random girl become the point next season.  My money's on Lexie, if she doesn't retire.  I think they love a blonde in the front, and Lexie is very pretty - not particularly a standout dancer, although they put her in Showgroup so that's saying something.  I just dont see Maddie, Gina or Kelli being the standout pretty girl they like to be the face of the squad.  Maddie makes sense as a group leader and I can see her being a 5 year vet, but not point.  Tasha is another possibility.

I would have never guessed Kashara would have been point at the beginning of last season.   What was Kashara's position before they moved her to point?  She wasn't even on showgroup before she got the ultimate promotion.

[S13.E06: Jump Split Reckoning]

I guess maybe not illegal but it would make training camp pointless because if they didn’t allow them to get their Visas, then they wouldn’t be legally allowed to cheer for the year. I suppose that’s why they allowed it in their cases. But again, I also think the DCC like having girls from other countries so they have the bragging rights of saying it’s an international team.