my thoughts on who should win...

[dancingleaf]

okay - if you haven't watched.... don't click because I don't want to spoil it for you.

After watching episode 3 I went back and watched the uncut workshop segments AND the uncut performances for this episode...

I did not think Shems should have been in the final three.  I liked the impromptu costume - but really?  immunity? no.  her dancing did not merit the final three.  and her workshop was really..... yuck.  watch it in the uncut version - she might have something worthwhile to teach but I'm not sure what....and that hair?  her stylist deserves a kick in the head.  I really don't like that black & green/turquoise costume.  I don't think the top flatters her at all - and really that outfit she showed up for in the workshop segment? she could have done so much better.  She really fell down in the performance - her exhaustion was really showing.

Andalee's workshop was really quite good. - I went back and watched the uncut workshop. I think I could definitely learn something from her and of the uncut performances.... hers was the one I liked best.  I liked the facial expression and her technique was flawless - her style reminded me of Aziza quite a bit.  She was really great on stage.

Victoria?  really? - a veil workshop without a veil AND a back bend without warm up Or warnings? -and she ended early.... bad - but then I didn't like her anyway. No- the judges are right - I don't need another veil dvd.  &   her hair!  sheesh woman - keep it out of your face - it cast shadows all over her face which hid her facial expressions -

Sherena's combo  - I've already practiced it - It was so good!  on watching the uncut version...I felt the combo was really very complex - too complex for a three minute spurt? possibly.  on the other hand - these are pro level dancers on the stage behind her - maybe she felt the need to impress them?  her performance was good but was it stellar? and I didn't like the costume particularly.  The arm band was cute but the skirt? & the belt.. and i have a real objection to hair in the face - could she not wear a hairband or a clip or something? meh.

Karolina... maybe should have done more teaching and not had one of the judges dance the exercise although... the instructions were that it was a workshop - not an instructional dvd segment - I could see that working in a small workshop class - it might actually be a lot of fun too. Her performance was good - I like the veil fans but... not really good enough to make her stand out.

I expected more out of Yvonne's workshop - she had plans - she just didn't get very far....in three minutes.  Her performance didn't wow me. She does seem really remote and unapproachable over all.  What did you think about her earring justification in the costume challenge.  She did break the rules - they were supposed to only use items in the box...

I found Aradia's boobs really distractinge (she's the judge in the pale dress)  I know they are fake but ... seriously a little out of proportion there?

love Sherena & Karolina's 'work out' teaching gear... very nice. & Yvonne's little flirty skirt - adorable.

I'm actually thinking the 6 finalist dvd will be pretty good and I really think Sherena will win.  And i'm not just saying that because she'll be attending the same workshop as I will in  Ohio at the end of March.  I'm really torn between Andalee and Sherena.  Sherena had the better workshop, although Andalee - could probably teach me  something I NEED to learn, and Andalee had the performance I enjoyed more AND better hair.  
We're allowed one vote per email address.  I really recommend watching all of the uncut workshops and then decide, watch the performances too - why not - they are there....  The goal is not just to be the top dancer but to also have something worth teaching in a teachable style.

the 6 finalists short DVD is looking pretty attractive though..............

Comments

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I agree about Shems, it's really sad she got immunity on a costume challenge, when even the judges finally mentioned the messy hair and, yes, her last performance was droopy. The workshop bit was painful to watch, too. And I hate the green costume. :/ I thought it was just me.

Andalee does look approachable and warm, and I don't know what the judges were talking about with it 'not coming across on a DVD'. Watching the video on-line I found her more likable than the remote Yvonne (I noticed they finally mentioned that, too!)

I can't believe Victoria 'taught' a veil workshop without a veil! That seems really... silly.

Sherena did seem to jump right into the combo and WENT, but then, some workshops are like that. They just start teaching you a combo. (This is one reason I'm not horribly fond of workshops, honestly) And she did know she had pro dancers, so maybe that shows she was tailoring the lesson to the people she was teaching, which would be a point in her favor.

Karolina was only impressive in the fact that each of her dances were really different - swords, veil fans... she didn't just do the same thing over and over (Shems!). I have to keep reminding myself that she was the girl with the swords, though, because she really didn't even look like a blond then. So maybe that's a bad thing, I don't know.

I've always been on the fence about Yvonne. She's technically good, but... I know a girl here that seems a lot like her, and she's... not snotty, but... remote and unapproachable seems the best description. Even when they're smiling and saying nice things, you still feel like they're looking down on you. The earring justification... I would agree with her IF she'd been wearing them when she walked into the challenge. Say, if someone had used their wedding ring (which you'd probably be wearing) or a hair clip they already had in, I'd give them bonus points for creativity. Leaving to get something, though, was breaking the rules and she should have been disqualified.

I'm torn between Andalee and Sherena, but I think I come down on the Andalee side. I will have to re-watch everything (later today) before I make my decision, though. And you have a good point - it's not just about the dancing (which really distracts you from the point!) it's really about teaching. So... I'm going to have to think about it.

[dancingleaf.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed the whole of the Cheeky Girls/Top Bellydancer Project. The series has been really fantastic.

but they should not have had an immunity challenge for the last episode. It was a cute idea but... no. It's more like a game you'd play at a sleep over or something - not how to win immunity.

It really comes down to Andalee and Sherena. & of the two I think I would be more likely to buy Sherena's DVD.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I went back and re-watched the workshops, and I'm leaning more Sherena now. Because it really comes down to who has something I'd want to learn, and will they teach it effectively.

And as for the challenge, yeah - it's something you might have at a workshop to win a prize or something like that, but immunity at that point? No. If they'd given the best workshop girl immunity, I could go with that, but...

[tangyapple.livejournal.com]

Well, I already responded to this in email so I won't duplicate my reply here. :)

[dancingleaf.livejournal.com]

I know - but after I went back and forth with you I thought I'd post about it ... partly because I could just cut & paste some of it & partly because I had thought about it more.

plus - I've not voted yet.

[tangyapple.livejournal.com]

Ah, really torn, huh? I get the feeling that although it's a serious toss-up between Sherena and Andalee, if I had to guess, I'd say more people will vote for Andalee. But... we'll see!