SYTYCD 6 - Sexpots Karen & Matthew Hauer and Russell Ferguson Make SYTYCD History

On September 23, 2009, So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) aired two days of auditions in Boston for Round Three in the selection process that will eventually yield America's next favorite dancer. As usual, the dance talent show introduced us to a smattering of the dancers who auditioned, good and bad. Along with the six featured good dancers, twenty-nine others have been sent to Las Vegas. Of those goodie-two-shoes, three dancers not only showed strong promise to become Top Twenty competitors but also made SYTYCD history.

Married couple Karen and Matthew Hauer were two of the history-making dancers. Without the judges' saying so (although they did), the TV viewing audience could see for themselves that the connubial ballroom partners are fantastic dancers and look like movie stars. Regular judge Mary Murphy immediately called Karen 'one hot tamale' and compared her to sultry hunkess J.Lo. aka Jennifer Lopez, singer, actress, and dancer. The extremely-sexy couple with the film-star glittery looks and moves really were perfect. And that's probably why they were sent directly through to Vegas, which is rare for ballroom dancers. On top of that, Karen (nee Guedez) and Matthew Hauer are the very first husband-and-wife team to make it to Vegas.

Russell Ferguson was the history-making solo dancer- a Krumper, who krumped with extreme skill, technique, grace, and fire. Krumping is an urban street dance that dominates the Hip-Hop genre. A Krumper uses his entire body freely and expressively at a high-energy level. Regular judge Nigel Lythgoe said, "That was bucc (insanely cool)!" He went on to say that Russell's dance was well-controlled and showed great technique- "it was everything I could ask for." Mary also praised Russell. Guest judge Tyce DiOrio said, "That was filthy and dirty, in all the best ways!"

Krumper Russell Ferguson happens to be a gorgeous guy who sports dreadlocks and a strong white smile. He krumps as if he could krump in his sleep, on top of a mountain, or even underwater in slow motion. When asked if he could dance other styles, the dancer listed, "Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, African." Yet, despite all the judges' praise and Russell's diverse repertoire, the judges still sent him to the Choreography session, choreographed by the sexy Pasha and Anya from Season 3, which is when dancers who have star potential must further prove themselves. Russell excelled during Choreography and was given a ticket to Vegas. And therein was history made. Russell is the first-ever Krumper to make it to Vegas.

Of the other dancers bound for Vegas, blonde Channing Cooke had good technique. All three judges loved her but Tyce told her she needs to 'leave more of your guts on the stage'. Gene Bersten- who believes he turns on women with his moves, looks, and just the right amount of hair on his chest- made it to Vegas because of his musicality and good technique. But the judges told him that his facial expressions were too much and that his eyebrows were going to fly off. Kevin "K'Bez' Hunte was verbally attacked by Tyce at the end of his number for saying he had been training in Contemporary (since his Season 3 appearance) but failed to show it in his performance. Tyce even accused Kevin of not having trained in Contemporary. However, Kevin proved him wrong during Choreography and Tyce the savage beast was soothed.

Of the dancers rejected for Vegas, Fabrizio 'Breeze' Jenkins twisted his ankle as he fell on his back during his solo. Even though he lacked in technique, the judges sent him to Choreography because he was entertaining. However, his injury prevented him from participating. Paul Magliato at age 46 was too old to qualify for SYTYCD but moreso, he was a poor dancer. However, the judges made a mistake in rejecting Ryan Casey- 6'8" tall, eighteen-years-old, and red-haired- an amiable and modest lad who showed very good footwork in his tap-dancing and 'well-educated ankles', according to Nigel. He was sent to Choreography and then rejected. The criticism was that although he danced beautifully, he needed to control his arms more. But the judges found him unique- because of his height and what he does. Ryan seemed as if he would grow quickly in dance ability.

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