On Thursday, Fox’s Emmy nominated summer reality hit, So You Think You Can Dance, sent two more hopefuls home. After breaking the coveted Top 10, Mitchell Kelly and Clarice Ordaz were sent packing by the judges panel after being sent to the Bottom 4 by America. Surviving by the skin of their teeth, Ricky Jaime and Jordan Casanova were also in the week’s bottom 4. Following their elimination, Mitchell and Clarice sat down with members of the media to answer questions, and the Yak was once again present and prepared to bring you all the juicy details. We’re always taking questions for our interviews with the eliminated SYTYCD contestants…just comment on our front page or in our forums and your question just might be asked!
On Being Surprised by Elimination
When asked about being eliminated before Ricky, who has been in the bottom one more instance than Mitchell, he went to explain that “With this show, you don’t know what may happen.” Having the most bottom 3 appearances doesn’t guarantee who will be sent home over another contestant. “It was reality and America knows what they want, but it was a pleasure just doing my solo.” Clarice had a similar viewpoint, having never been in the bottom this season. “At this point, we’re all great dancers. Anything could have happened. You can’t really expect anything when you’re in that position.” As with anyone in her shoes, she hoped for the best but is now looking forward to tour.
On Being Eliminated Without Much Advice from Nigel
Both Mitchell and Clarice realize that the judges know the contestants work hard and can tell growth from the beginning. It was more of a “our time” thing, they agreed. It was hard to take at first, according to Clarice. She wants to better herself, but knows he [Nigel] gave them a great compliment by not listing things for them to work on. Clarice went on to say that it was no mystery why they were eliminated. Mitchell wasn’t shocked, knowing someone has to leave each week. Mitchell, in particular, wants to see growth from Jordan and Ricky and wishes them all luck.
On Clarice Dancing Bollywood
This was Clarice’s first time doing such an intricate piece, other than group number. She was still nervous that Bollywood wouldn’t connect with America. However, she took basics from group dance and made it own. Regardless of the outcome, she was very “pleased” and enjoyed the dance very much.
On Mitchell’s “Airline” Piece
Broadway is all about style. “It was very intense. It was really exciting to accomplish what Tyce wanted me to do in rehearsal and in my performance. It was more of a feel and look that Tyce was trying to go for.” Mitchell understands where NPH came from in his critique of the piece, but stands by the fact that there was really a story when you looked at everything as a whole.
On Where Dance Inspiration Comes From
Mitchell: Children…”You look at kids at an early age dancing around…I push myself and make sure I make children proud of the things I do on stage because I want them to become great dancers like all of us in the Top 10.”
Clarice: “As a kid, I looked up to dancers. They kept pushing myself to get better. [Children] drive me to push them to be at the level they want to be at.”
On Viewers’ Relation to “Obscure” Pieces
Both Clarice and Mitchell were seemingly eliminated on “obscure” dance pieces. Clarice understands that more “out of the box” styles are hard to pull through with viewers sometimes. “Everyone has to do it; it is a challenge to make it entertaining. People have their own opinions. This week might have hurt me a little bit but it’s fine because I totally enjoyed that performance.” Mitchell has no hard feelings either. He is happy to have done Broadway, acknowledging that it showed him a different side to his dance ability.
On Future Plans Post-SYTYCD
Mitchell: Act, sing, dance, and be in movies. Mitchell’s ultimate goal is to build a performing arts theater for children that will deal with dance and drama in entertainment. He wants to be able to give them an opportunity to have somewhere to go and develop a talent that they enjoy.
Clarice: Go to school and get degree. Clarice may teach in a dance studio and hold classes as well. She plans to get an agent and hooking jobs that are in the commercial world.
On Moments of Conflict with Other Dancers
Clarice and Mitchell stood by how the SYTYCD family is just that … one big happy family. However, the biggest moments of conflict were in first 5 weeks because their partner was also their competition. Both stand by that there were no serious arguments, just very stressful moments when put under pressure to compete. No names were mentioned. Both gave very professional responses.
On Receiving Feedback from Celebrity Judges
Mitchell: “I really wanted to see Lady Gaga and Beyonce, if she’ll ever be on the show.”
Clarice: “I wish that Beyonce would have critiqued me; she is a phenomenal performer.” Her favorite guest judge, up to this point, was Debbie Reynolds.
On Being Involved in Charities
As mentioned above, Mitchell’s heart lies with single parent families who wants their child involved in dance programs. He hopes that he can work on his theater for children to focus on something like that in the future. He is also passionate about the pets in Atlanta who are up for adoption. Clarice has helped with Soup Kitchens in past and wants to get more involved now that her name is out there.
On Dancing With All-Stars
It seems as if both Clarice and Mitchell appreciated the all-star stage more than the first 5 weeks of the competition, mostly because of the different energy they brought to rehearsals. “They are a part of the same family we are now a part of.” Clarice enjoyed working with Robert, especially with the “advice he gave on how to be on a TV show.” According to Mitchell, “dancing with all-stars was more calm, mellow than dancing with other contestants…not as stressful.”
On the Top 8
These guys are “great dancers with great personalities.” Mitchell knew Melanie before the show and knows how incredible she really is. He and Ricky were roommates throughout the summer and Mitchell views Ricky like a little brother who shares the same passion. Clarice is not rooting for anyone in particular. “I’ll be happy for anyone to win this. They all do their best and work so hard; I am glad to get to know them.”
On Season’s Most Difficult Routine
Clarice: Broadway – Week 1. “It was a hard transition to go to dancing on live TV, combined with partnership. I hadn’t been that great of a partner before. [There was also] pressure on me, as a jazz dancer, to do well.”
Mitchell: Samba. He believes it was the most difficult dance on the show. “The technique, footwork, chemistry, lifts, fast movement, hip rolling … was just a lot to think about at one time.” Mitchell seemed to thoroughly enjoy the time with J-M Genereux in rehearsing the choreography for that piece.
Dance Looking Forward To Perform On Tour
Clarice: Justin Giles Contemporary piece with Jess.
Mitchell: 3 requests – Samba, Mandy Moore Contemporary, and the “Turning Tables” Contemporary piece
Any Favorite/Least Favorite Choreographers
Before leaving us for the afternoon, the Yak got to ask if the contestants had a favorite (or least favorite) choreographer of the season. Clarice and Mitchell were silent on a least favorite choreographer, like any good professional, but we caught wind of who they seemed to love the most. Mitchell’s favorite was Tyce Diorio. He also enjoyed JM Genereux because of the fun they had in rehearsal and the stress-free environment Mitchell said he promoted. Clarice seems to have falln in dance love with Justin Giles, who “really made an impact on my rehearsal time. He was so mellow, artistic, and creative. I’m so happy to have been able to work with him.”
There you have it, folks. We would like to thank Clarice and Mitchell for their time and wish them the best of luck in the future, especially on tour later this year!
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