Last week, on So You Think You Can Dance, the judges praised Susie Garcia for her beautiful waltz with partner, Marquis Cunningham. This week, they seemed determined to get rid of her. One by one, Nigel, Mary, and Mia all told Susie that she had lost her fire and they didn’t seem impressed with her anymore. On last night’s live elimination episode, they sent her and Marquis home. Today, the 25 year old Latin dancer from Miami spoke to BuddyTV in an exclusive interview. She dished on everything from her partner, to whether or not she lost her heat, to what’s next for this sexy ballroom dancer.
Below, you will find the complete transcript and mp3 of the interview.
Hey everybody, this is Gina from BuddyTV, and today I’m talking to Susie from So You Think You Can Dance. Can you tell me a little bit about your dance background and how you first got started?
My dance background, I started with flamenco when I was around the age of five or six, and then I started pursuing the ballet, jazz, and Latin dancing. I later then graduated from the World School of Dance, where I started getting more familiarized with modern, Caribbean, and ballet also. I trained there with the best teachers. That’s about it.
Did you have any formal training in contemporary or hip-hop before coming to So You Think You Can Dance?
Yes, I have. I trained a lot in the world, and then I would always take classes in lyrical. I’m not just a Latin dancer or salsa dancer, I’ve trained in ballet for many years since I was about 9-years-old, as well as jazz, modern, and hip-hop as well. I’ve danced with the Heat for six years now, and that’s where it all got started. I auditioned for the show, and I was very happy to be in it and have that experience.
And this was your first time trying out for the show?
First time, yes.
What do you think happened? The judges were saying you lost your heat, you lost your fire, but it didn’t come across that way on TV. Why do you think they felt that way?
I don’t know, they have their opinions. Maybe I didn’t show enough of what they wanted to see. Nigel said that I had to move around the stage, and maybe staying in one spot or not traveling around the stage took away from my energy. I feel like I’m still on fire, and still that heat. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I’m just saddened that they couldn’t see more. I really wanted them to see more.
Had you really planned out your solo last night, or did you improvise it?
No, my solo was planned. My solo was very, very planned. I was actually going to do a flamenco solo, and unfortunately it didn’t work out because my song didn’t clear, so it was just last minute. I had three solos prepared, so I just went with my Latin one. I really wanted to show them flamenco and I couldn’t. It was hard, but I did my best and it was great. I wanted to be on the show and I finally did, and I’m just going to take that with me and see what else is in store for me.
Did any of the judges or choreographers say anything to you after you were eliminated last night?
Of course. They all came up to me and they all hugged me, and they said to never give up, to continue, that I’m a beautiful dancer. It was very nice for them to come down on stage and give us that warmth after we were eliminated. It was really nice to have that.
What was Marquis like to work with as a partner?
Marquis was fun. Marquis was a great time. Like I said, he’s always been a goofball. He may have shied on camera, but with me in rehearsal we would always have a good time. He was just a goofball really, and he’s a very talented dancer. Very talented contemporary dancer.
Do you think the judges will continue to eliminate couples as a group?
I don’t know. I honestly didn’t think they were going to do that again this week, and it was a surprise to everyone, so you just never know what the judges have up their sleeves. They just surprise everybody each week. Keep everybody on their toes.
What are the plans for you now in terms of dancing and continuing on?
Dancing-wise, I’m going back to Miami and I’m going to continue dancing, continue taking class. I want to teach class, I want to teach some workshops, and hopefully have the opportunity to open up my own studio in Miami. With all of this going on, it’s just something that I’ve been wanting to do. And just continue from there, see what other things and what other choreographers I can work with, and do workshops and stuff like that. I’m getting excited to do that, to see everyone again at home.
Can we expect to still see you on So You Think You Can Dance in the audience, and maybe performing one more time?
Oh yes, definitely. We all get together for the top 20 again at the end of the season, so you’ll definitely see me on that stage. I’m gonna try my hardest to come and support everyone again, because I live in Miami and I’m not a local, I’ll definitely want to come back and support all my friends. They’re amazing, and I want to support them and see them dance again.
Thanks so much Susie, I really appreciate it. Good luck.
Thank you.
– Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of FOX)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
