SYTYCD: Injured Alex Wong Couldn't Dance; Lauren & Kent Did Best; AdeChike in Danger

SYTYCD 2010, July 7: Season 7. The host is Cat Deeley. The judges are executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, Mia Michaels, and Adam Shankman. Tonight, there is a format change. Each Top 8 dancer will dance two partner routines. First, he will partner with an all-star- one with whom he has not yet danced. The All-Stars Pool is comprised of twelve popular dancers from past seasons (list is at the end of this article). Secondly, he will partner with one of his competitors.

Contestant Alex Wong injured himself during rehearsal on stage last night. At best, he is unable to perform this week. At worst, his MRI may show a ruptured Achilles tendon, will end his participation in the competition. The same injury kept soccer star David Beckham from playing for three months. Per SYTYCD rules, because of his injury, Alex is automatically in the bottom three. Does he hurt? Only heart-wise, Alex said.

A tape was shown of how the injury occured. Alex was rehearsing his Bollywood routine with partner AdéChiké. He was doing several leaps with splits, across the width of the stage. When he came down on what was to be his last one, he couldn't hold any body weight on his right foot. He'd heard a crack and thought the floor had buckled.

Here are the contestants' performances with the all-stars, in sequence-.

Lauren and Pasha: Lauren Froderman danced the Cha-Cha with all-star Pasha Kovalev, choreographed by Jean-Marc and France Généreux. Music: 'Telephone' by Lady GaGa and Beyoncé. The judges unanimously loved the performance. Nigel commented that there was a mature full-bodied woman dancing. Past criticism of Lauren has been immaturity in her dance. But tonight, she was ultra sexy, ultra hot with Pasha. Mia called the performance 'pure murderation'. She told Lauren, "Momma, you were so hot. It was perfect." Adam was beside himself with praise. He said Lauren was sharp and specific. And there were smoke and smolder in her eyes.

Jose and Lauren: Jose Ruiz danced Contemporary with all-star Lauren Gottlieb, choreographed by Mandy Moore. Music: 'Never Tear Us Apart' by INXS. Asked how it was to dance with Lauren, Jose said, "Amazing." The praise from the three judges brought tears to Jose's eyes. Nigel told him he looked amazing. Jose was pointing his toes and was always there for Lauren. And he embodies the joy of dance. Mia praised his lack of ego; she praised his open heart. Her belief is if the spirit dances, the body will follow. She saw this in Jose. She believed every simple step taken. She said, "I'm so in love with you." Adam appreciated Jose's passion, commitment, and uninhibited spirit. Tall glam-host Cat gave Jose a big squeeze.

Kent and Comfort: Kent Boyd danced Hip-Hop with all-star Comfort Fedoke, choreographed by Dave Scott. Music: 'You're Not My Girl' by Ryan Leslie. Nigel said the routine was terrific but was more of a soft Hip--Hop. He appreciated that Kent had not overacted his role as he had last week. He said, "You just sat in the groove." Mia said the opposite- his performance had lacked groove and funk. Adam said, "You were fantastic."

AdéChiké and Courtney: AdéChiké Torbert danced Jazz with all-star Courtney Galiano, choreographed by Mandy Moore. Music: 'Is You Or Is You Ain't My Baby' by Dinah Washington (Rae & Christian Remix). Nigel said this was not AdéChiké's best performance. Mia said his dancing was mediocre. Adam said, "You need to get lost in the music." He advised AdéChiké to find a deeper connection with his partner.

Billy and Katee: Billy Bell danced Broadway with substitute all-star Katee Shean, a contestant from Season 4, when his original all-star partner for this routine, Allison Holker, had to drop out due to a wrist injury. Spencer Liff was the choreographer. Music: MaCavity: The Mystery Cat from Cats (Original Broadway Cast). Nigel said that outside of Billy's solos, this was the best he'd ever seen him dance. Mia said, "You were absolutely fabulicious." She said Billy showed style, snappiness, and texture. Adam said Billy had never before performed so well, never before shown such connection with a partner.

Ashley and Dominic: Ashley Galvan danced Hip-Hop with all-star Dominic Sandoval, choreographed by Napoleon & Tabitha D'Umo (Nappy Tabs). Music: 'How Low' by Ludacris. Nigel said, "We do love you. You hit really hard. You were really strong. I loved it (routine and performance).' Mia said Ashley had danced hard core but had had no kill in the eyes for the Ninja theme. Adam told her she's a quiet contender and out to win.

Robert and Kathryn: Robert Roldan danced Contemporary with all-star Kathryn McCormick, choreographed by Sean Cheesman. Music: 'Sinking Feeling' by Róisín Murphy. Nigel told Robert that he might have been in the bottom three so often because people are saying he's arrogant. He said they're making it up because Robert is one of the hardest workers and best dancers-and is terrific. Mia agreed there's no arrogance in Robert. She agreed with everything Nigel had said. She thought Robert's performance tonight was great. Adam said, "You're so great, so dedicated, so committed-stellar."

This is the end of the performances with all-stars. There were seven instead of eight because Alex Wong is injured. Here are the contestants' performances with fellow contestants, in sequence-.

AdéChiké and Mala: AdéChiké Torbert danced Bollywood, choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan. His partner was to have been Alex Wong. Instead, Mala from Nakul's dance troupe danced with him. Music: 'Mourya Re' from the soundtrack to 'Don The Chase Begins'. Nigel said AdéChiké needs to stick to the style. Mia said his performance was more African than Bollywood. Adam said, "You lack snap and finish to your lines." But he also said, "You're growing by leaps and bounds."

Lauren and Kent: Lauren Froderman and Kent Boyd danced Contemporary, choreographed by Travis Wall. Music: 'Collide' (Acoustic Version) by Howie Day. All three judges praised both dancers. Nigel felt the heart in Lauren's dancing and said that Lauren and Kent were the ultimate in female and male dancers this year. Mia said, "Absolutely stunning." Adam said the connection was too real and intimate, which is a good thing. He said, "I loved it." It was 'sensual and honest'.

Ashley and Robert: Ashley Galvan and Robert Roldan danced the Quickstep, choreographed by Jean-Marc and France Généreux. Music: 'Man With the Hex' by The Atomic Fireballs. Nigel said Robert's overall shape wasn't quite right but Lauren's was. His elbow was low. But his technique and character were good. Mia said it was not a train wreck. Nor was it the kiss of death, as the Quickstep usually is for a couple on the show. But it was a bad kiss. Yet, Adam said, "You served each other beautifully."

Billy and Jose: Billy Bell and Jose Ruiz danced African Jazz, choreographed by Sean Cheesman. Music: 'The Hunt' by Mickey Hart. The theme was a hunter and his prey. Nigel told Billy and Jose that neither one of them had shown enough power. Mia agreed with Nigel about Jose. However, she told Billy she didn't know if he'd been the jaguar he was supposed to have been but whatever animal he had been, she wanted one in her home. Adam told Billy he has to let go of his lines sometimes. He told Jose to get his knees higher and when he goes down to get down lower.

Tonight's votes by America's TV viewers will place three dancers in danger tomorrow. The three will have to dance for their lives, except for Alex, of course. If Alex's injury does not force him to leave the show- he had the most unbelievable Hip-Hop last week- then of the two girls and six guys, AdéChiké is most likely to go home.

^{The 12 All-Stars (with season & dance styles):
Ade Obayomi, 5; Contemporary/Classical.
Allison Holker, 2; Brooklyn, NY; Jazz/Contemporary/Broadway/Cultural.
Anya Garnis, 3; Ballroom/Latin.
Comfort Fedoke, 4; Hip--Hop/Krump.
Courtney Galiano}, 4; Contemporary/Jazz.
Dominic 'D-trix' Sandoval, 3; Hip--Hop/Breakdancing.
Kathryn McCormick, 6; Jazz/ContemporaryBroadway/Cultural.
Lauren Gottlieb, 3; Hip--Hop/Jazz/Contemporary.
Mark Kanemura, 4; Jazz/Broadway/Cultural.
Neil Haskell, 3; Jazz/Contemporary/Broadway/Cultural.
Pasha Kovalev, 3; Ballroom/Latin.
Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, 4; Popping/Locking/Krump.

^{The Top 8 Dancers (plus age, hometown, & dance expertise):
AdéChiké Torbert, 23; Brooklyn, NY; Contemporary.
Alex Wong, 23; Vancouver, Canada; Ballet.
Ashley Galvan, 19; Visalia, CA; Lyrical.
Billy Bell, 20; West Palm Beach, FL; Contemporary.
Jose Ruiz, 21; Miami, FL; B-Boy.
Kent Boyd, 18; Botkins, OH; Contemporary Jazz.
Lauren Froderman, 18; Phoenix, AZ; Contemporary Jazz.
Robert Roldan, 19; Thousand Oaks, CA; Contemporary.}

^{Related articles: Top 9; July 1; Melinda Sullivan Cut; Billy, Robert Also in Bottom 3
Top 10; June 24 2010; Cristina is Cut: Melinda & Robert Also in Bottom 3
Cristina & Pasha Hot; Jose & Kathryn Do Bollywood; Lauren & Dominic Raw;
Top 11 Partner W/ All-Stars June 16 2010; Alex Wong Raises Standard;
Cristina Santana & Nathan Trasoras Are Hot Stuff;}