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Justin Bieber is coming to "So You Think You Can Dance" this season—and we're not just talking about a one-off musical performance.
The Biebs, who according to Nigel Lythgoe has been a huge fan of the show for a while, will be introducing a new "SYTYCD" component involving dance crews. During the first four episodes of Season 11, when the main competition is in the audition stage, there'll be a sort of mini "America's Best Dance Crew" showdown, with two crews facing off. Audiences will vote for their favorite crew via Twitter. And Bieber? He'll be on crews control (see what we did there?), presenting the whole shebang.
It's definitely nice that "SYTYCD" is shining this kind of spotlight on dance crews. They're incredible, and have been sadly absent from our television lineup since the demise of "ABDC" (RIP). Never realized Bieber was quite so into "SYT," but...OK then!
"SYTYCD" premieres May 28, which oh my gosh is next week, you guys. Be sure to check in here after each episode for our recaps!
Flying is never a particularly exciting experience for me. I'm usually traveling between some way-too-busy NYC airport and L.A., Las Vegas or Boston, my most-frequeted cities.
And the procedure is usually pretty standard and predictable: Take cab to airport. Wait in security line. Scramble to fit shoes, purse, laptop, sweatshirt, jacket and carry-on efficiently onto the bag scanner thing. Proceed through security. Smile so as not to be body-scanned. Wait, because I'm undoubtedly a full hour early. Maybe get a sandwich. Fly to cool city. Do fun things.
As you can see, the "do fun things" part doesn't go into effect until after I've reached my destination.
But for Justin Bieber's pack of tour dancers, the fun needn't wait.
When their recent flight out of Atlanta was canceled, the dancers decided to have a little dance partying fun in the terminal. In a sort of airport flash mob, they rocked out to tunes by The Biebs and got down with fully choreographed moves.
Naturally it's all been recorded for our viewing pleasure:
(The really cool kid with the mega-sized hair? That's Luke Broadlick—and we spotted him before Justin Bieber did! Score one point for DS!)
The next time one of my flights gets canceled, I know what I'm doing. Quick, someone cue up "Somebody to Love!"
Here's a no-fail recipe for music video magic: Take one delicious Major Lazer song. Sprinkle it with sonic pinches of Justin Bieber and MØ. Add yummy choreography by Fatima Robinson and Calvit Hodge. Fold in four delectable A-list dancers. Drop the entire mixture into a heart-stoppingly gorgeous Icelandic setting. SHAKE.
We're talking, of course, about the new video for Major Lazer's "Cold Water," which debuted maybe five minutes ago and is already climbing toward 4 million views. The addictive track, which features both the Biebs and Danish sensation MØ, is made even more irresistible by Robinson and Hodge's choreo, as brought to vibrant life by dancers Sara Bivens, Helen Gedlu, Jaylene Mendoza and Andranita Smith-Shannon. (Kudos to Major Lazer for prominently crediting both dancers and choreographers.)
As if the majestic mountains and waterfalls of the Icelandic backdrop weren't dramatic enough (um, see above), the video also features alien-y light suits and some serious pyrotechnics. It is ?, literally.
Happy Friday, y'all. Also, we're starting a petition: All songs involving Justin Bieber in any capacity should get the dance video treatment, forever. PLEASE SIGN.
Dear Santa,
Hi! How are you? Busy, I bet! Har har. (Ho ho?)
Look, I know I'm late—it's Christmas Eve, and I'm sure you're dealing with all kinds of #reindeerprobz—but I thought I'd reach out to you anyway. Because I'm not just some girl who'll be happy with a Kylie Lip Kit and Adele tour tickets. (Actually, if you can get me either of those things, you are an actual MAGICIAN and I will worship you forever. But I digress.)
No, Santa: I'm a dancer. And that means I have special gift needs. Needs that I want to make sure don't go undocumented.
And so here, in no particular order, are the things I really, actually, genuinely want for Christmas. Take notes.
1) Sophia Lucia's pirouettes. I'd settle for half her average, actually.
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2) Gisele Bethea's feet. Gimme.
Via @giselebethea
3) The Fraternal Twins' swagger in general, and facial expressions in particular.
4) Yanis Marshall's everything. Just...everything.
5) Speaking of everything: all the things from Maria Kochetkova's t-shirt line.
5) To be adopted into tWitch and Allison's too-cute-for-words family. (I can make myself useful! I'm great with babies!)
6) Tickets to Hamilton sometime before next summer. Again, you'll need to work some magic here, but I believe, Santa. I BELIEVE.
7) My very own pointe shoe Christmas tree. (And, on a related note, several air fresheners.)
WANT. (screenshot via YouTube)
8) Another season of "So You Think You Can Dance." Ideally with Mia and, since he seems to be back at it, WADE.
9) For the following people to make cameos in Center Stage: Dance Camp:
- Zoe Saldana
- Ilya Kulik
- Susan May Pratt
- Julie Kent
- The girl who said "Did you see how on I was?"
- That old salsa club lady
- Warren Carlyle—specifically, Warren Carlyle doing this
- Channing Tatum (a little series crossover never hurt nobody)
- AMANDA SCHULL, OBVIOUSLY. WHERE IS AMANDA SCHULL???
10) To live inside the Bieber "Sorry" video. Forever.
Got it? K thanks Santa! Safe sleighing! Tell Dancer and Prancer I say hi!
Here at the DS offices, our Bieber-fever's still piping hot. And thanks to Myles Erlick (who plays Billy Elliot on Broadway) and Briar Nolet, it's probably gonna stay that way for a while. In this new vid choreographed by Isaac Lupien, the duo dances their way through some pretty heavy stuff. It's moody, intense, well-danced and raw.
#Werrrkkk girl. (Screenshot via YouTube)
Briar's character is clearly pissed at Myles', and probably for good reason (hence the shoving-the-iPhone-in-his-face scene). Their acting is spot-on and super believable, all the way up to the gasp-worthy last scene. "Sorry" is also the perfect soundtrack—its classic Bieber beat and deep lyrics complete the whole production.
Ugh we feel you, girl. (Screenshot via YouTube)
We could talk all day about how gorgeous the whole vid is (seriously, A+ lighting, dancing and drama skills), but you should really just watch for yourself below. Let us know what you think in the comments!
You've been dancing around the house/school hallway/studio ever since Justin Bieber dropped his irresistibly catchy new single, "Sorry."
That's not a question; it's a statement. Don't hide. We see you.
Well, here's further proof that the Biebs loves us and wants us to be happy: He felt that releasing the most dance-friendly song of the moment wasn't good enough. No; he also had to go and make a giant dance party of a music video.
Justin himself is nowhere in sight in the "Sorry" vid, but—and I say this with love—you won't miss him. You'll be too busy obsessing over the cast of ladies from the ReQuest and Royal Family crews, who appear to be having the time of their lives as they dominate director Parris Goebel's delicious, slick-meets-silly choreography.
The feel is that of a group of friends getting together to make a karaoke video late one lazy night. Except that this particular group of friends happens to be made up of amazing dancers with equally amazing wardrobes. (Everyone still in need of a group Halloween costume idea: GET ON IT.)
But wait! There's more. According to TMZ, the "Sorry" video is actually part of a larger dance movie showcasing Bieber's new album, Purpose. All of the album's 18 songs will be included in the 35-minute film, which will feature lots more choreo by Goebels. So, get excited.
You don't need to say "Sorry," Justin. This makes it all better.
Picture this: You've booked The Tour, the show of the season, dancing for a major star. You walk into rehearsal and begin to learn a series of fabulous routines, led by one of the world's hottest choreographers. You're living the dream.
Sound like a fantasy (or at least a scenario a few years away from your reality)? It doesn't have to be.
A week from today, Universal Music Enterprises will release Believe Tour Dance Experience, which takes you inside the dance world of Justin Bieber's Believe Tour. The DVD features a series of lessons teaching you some of the exact choreography the Biebs and his dancers performed. It also includes performance clips and all kinds of behind-the-scenes footage of Justin and his crew on the road.
A still from Believe Tour Dance Experience
Your fearless leader is Nick DeMoura, the tour's choreographic mastermind. (You probably recognize him from his recent appearances, alongside JB, on "So You Think You Can Dance.")
Hi Nick!
Here's the best part: We're giving away five Blu-ray copies of Believe Tour Dance Experience, all signed by Mr. DeMoura himself. Click here to enter—then check out our exclusive clip from the video, below. (Too excited to wait out the contest? You can also pre-order your copy here.)
