sugarplum

The interesting thing to me was that Kelli told Madeline that rookies should listen more and talk less. Basically, be seen, not heard. I think, just maybe, she told that to the wrong rookie candidate. There’s a blonde that it sure would be nice to hear less of. ?

What is Jinelles role with the organization? I’ve seen that she is employed by them, but don’t think I’ve ever seen what exactly she does.

You’re right. It was mentioned during her first visit. But it was mentioned in a totally different way than tonight. That was THE discussion with her tonight. Before it was “some judges thought your tummy was soft”. Tonight it was a “you’re in danger of being cut if you don’t take care of it.” It was a wake up call. And we don’t know that she “ignored it”. I’m small. I’ve been a dancer my entire life. I was blessed with good genes. But I’ve certainly had weight creep up on me before and don’t even realize it until my jeans feel a little snug and I realize I’ve had a dessert or 2 too many. My point is - it can happen and we don’t even realize it’s happening until it is there. And as we all know, taking it back off is 100 times harder than gaining it! I’m really not trying to defend her. I just don’t think she should have been cut without having a chance to correct herself after hearing the seriousness of it tonight. As I said, if in one week you know she isn’t taking it serious, then she’s out of chances and can go home. But give her that week. She should be down at least 2-3lbs if she’s taking it seriously.

Ok. My opinion isn’t going to be popular. I dont think VK should have been cut tonight. Has she gained 11lbs? Yes. Should she know better? Yes. But the fact that Kelli and Judy didn’t bring it up until tonight allowed her to be comfortable with the weight gain, get complacent, and believe it was something that could be overlooked. To call her attention to it and cut her at the very same time would have been unfair. At least give her a week to make a change and see if the scales change at all. If it doesn’t, absolutely...cut her the next week. I do agree that she comes across as immature and CMT is shoving her down our throats. But I feel sorry for her. I doubt she asked for that. She’s chasing a dream that she desperately wants, the dream to be a DCC. I highly doubt she dreamt of being scrutinized by so many people. I want to go back and rewatch, but I interpreted Kelli’s comments to Kitty differently than everyone else. Kelli said something to the effect of the board showing her that at that moment Dayton wasn’t ready and Victoria wasn’t ready. Kitty responded that Victoria was. To me, it seemed as though Kelli was challenging her when she said that Victoria was up 11lbs since auditions. Again, my interpretation, doesn’t mean it’s right. I may watch again tomorrow and feel differently. Dayton absolutely broke my heart. Judy crying pushed me over the edge. It was obvious Kelli had been crying as well. I truly think it was a difficult cut for them, whether we think it was fair or not. Cheryl hugging Dayton, not just when she came out of the office, but also as she was gathering her stuff was really touching to me. It’s easy to see the perceived advantage (or disadvantage?) Dayton and Victoria has, but the compassion coming from Cheryl, to me, showed more of the “we are family, have known her since birth, we love her” human side of this process. I’m still a Kelli fan. I think she has a tough job. I don’t always agree with her, and I think she knows she sometimes makes mistakes (we are all human). We are close in age, and I can relate to her. I see the business/director side in her, but I also see the “mother” side when dealing with these young women. I have a similar sense of humor as Kelli and think she’d be a ball to hang out with. I think the girls on the team seem to respect her and enjoy her when she isn’t all down to business. I wouldn’t want to be in her position, that’s for sure. I’m definitely not an insider, don’t know any of these people at all. But I have empathy for everyone involved.

Taylor is one of my favorite rookies, but her kicks looked kind of low in that video.

Lily reminds me of Jordan Chanley. There was a glimpse of her in one of the episodes and I seriously did a double take because it looked so much like Jordan.

The graduation scene left me with so many questions. Was it a “surprise”? Was Daphne told ahead of time? I got the feeling it was supposed to be a surprise. If that’s the case, how did they pull it off? They couldn’t have had the rest of the girls come in early and surprise Daphne when she arrived since DCC time means being an hour early. Did they send her out of the room for something? If so, what reason did they give her that she had to leave, but no one else? I would be freaking out if K & J sent me out for any reason and I was the only one! I need answers CMT! im excited to see Travis next week. I danced with him many years ago at his moms studio and I’m just thrilled over everything he has accomplished. He deserves it. His style isn’t DCC, but it’s so nice to see those well rounded dancers that are able to excel in practically any style you throw at them.

I didn’t take it that way. The way it came across to me was Kelli telling her that if she 100% knew she would get cut during this process, she would tell her so she would keep her job. But at this point in training camp, Kelli still saw enough potential that she wasn’t able to definitively say she would not make it...or that she would. I respect that. I think Malena was crazy if she gave up a career position, but different strokes, I guess. But Kelli came across as torn in the situation to me. She didn’t want her to quit unnecessarily, but she was really pulling for her. If the information we have is true, then we know Kelli gave her every opportunity to get it. I’m guessing she was the last (or one of the last) cuts because Kelli truly believed/hoped she would get there.

Is that Caroline on the left? She resembles Savannah Guthrie.

Pop the leg/bend knee closest to the camera, hand on hip - create an “open space” between your arms and body, don’t face the camera completely straight on, camera at a higher angle is generally most flattering - just a few general ideas. The “open space” either with your own body, or for couples, in between bodie, makes a big difference.

My North Carolina accent comes on really thick when I’m tired, when I’m really stressed, or when I have been around family with the same accent (it takes me a week or more to lose my thick drawl after family visits). As someone who has been teased (good-naturedly) about my accent, I’ve got no issue with Kashara and her accent, even if sometimes it’s stronger than others. It happens, y’all!

I’m a professional photographer too - completely agree with your friend. There are lots of tricks to make someone appear thinner when photographing them...and in this photo, because of the movement, Maddie is kind of breaking those naturally slimming “rules”. She may have genuinely gained weight, but I can’t say so just based on this picture.

To me, it looks like Maddie's right hip is shifted forward (at least in comparison to Tasha's). Her hip and ribcage are pulled forward, which is naturally going to make one look heavier. Not saying she hasn't gained weight, but I think this picture is very deceiving, as is often the case with action shots.

Wait...are you saying Jenna is now working for the DCC?

Looks to me just like the locker room pictures we see every year. She’s standing in her locker, her family jumps in a picture with her. I see nothing scandalous about it. Every year girls post pictures in their locker, often posing just like their cameo. I think you are reading way too much into this picture. I don’t know Madeline - perhaps she does think she’s better than everyone else. But I don’t get that just from looking at this picture. ?‍♀️

So here’s a thought. The girls are compensated by CMT for filming, correct? Does that mean Tina is as well? ?

But that’s better than what she said! If she had phrased it like you, I would t have batted an eye. Haha. Unless I misheard (which is possible - I had a sleepless toddler I was rocking while trying to watch), she said “there are 10 girls I can put in the uniform right now”. It’s the “I can do it” that rubbed me the wrong way. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but it definitely didn’t make me think very highly of her when I heard it.

This is true, but it easily could have been said as “there are 10 girls that can wear the uniform today”. It’s the “I can put them in it” that is so offputting.

I’ve never been a big JennK fan, but her speech to the vets didn’t bother me that much. Motivation is good. She had seen the rookies and was warning them that they were up against strong talent. However, she lost my support the second she said “I could put a uniform on 10 of them today.” No you can’t. You don’t have that power. Move on with your life!

I’m glad your husband was able to receive a transplant. I agree, so many don’t get the chance. My sister had 2 heart transplants. Unfortunately she passed away recently due to an infection, not related to the transplant (other than having no immune system to keep her body from rejecting the heart). She lived 21 years with her first donor heart.

I think they are tear jerkers simply because most people are going to choose a cause they have personally been affected by. I think many times we are sort of complacent about so many issues/causes until it affects our life somehow. At that point, we are kind of jerked back into reality that it is a problem that needs to be addressed, needs more attention, and needs help to find a change. My cause would be organ donation. It was never on my radar until my sister got sick and needed a heart transplant. She would have died in a matter of days without one. Not enough people donate. Because I was so personally affected (twice), one of my missions in life is to tell as many people as possible her story and educate people on organ donation. Before she got sick, it was just an issue I never gave any thought to. Now, there aren’t many days that go by that I’m not talking about it. So, I think it becomes a tear jerker thing just because the girls have personally been affected by the cause they choose, and that drives a different kind of passion.

I didn’t see the hype with Meredith in the first episode when Kelli gushed over her. I went in with an open mind on the second episode - still wasn’t impressed. Tonight confirms - not impressed whatsoever. I don’t see the appeal. I don’t find her “gorgeous”, her dancing is lackluster, and hearing her talk is like nails on a chalkboard. Quit shoving her down my throat, CMT. ???

Perhaps a stupid question...what is a vocal fry?

?‍♀️ To each their own. I saw nothing to indicate Dayton wasn’t talented enough to AT LEAST make it past semis. There are way better dancers than a lot of people, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that she’s talented at what she does. I haven’t seen her this year in the other rounds - perhaps she falls short there (I didn’t see anything to make me think she would though).

Yes!!! I totally agree. I think At 18/20 I would have been over the moon to chase a dream such as the DCC (that was never on my radar, personally), and can understand the almost paralyzing feeling of rejection if you don’t make the cut. But take a few days, even a week or 2, have your pity party, and then move on! There is so much more to life! I didn’t think she came off as entitled. I think she expected to make it through prelims, and I totally understand that. I, personally, would expect myself to make it through prelims. To me, semis and finals are where the rubber meets the road. If she had made the comment after finals, then I would find it a little entitled. But Dayton made it all the way to finals last year. There is no reason she would think she’s getting cut at prelims (not saying it couldn’t happen, but she would have to screw up REALLY bad). She was joking with her mom, who also expected her to make it through prelims with no issue. I see no problem with that.