It was quite a shock to So You Think You Can Dance fans on last week’s finale when Katee Shean finished in 3rd place. Perhaps the only thing that made die hard Katee fans feel better was that, as the final female standing, she walked away with $50,000. Practically flawless this season, Katee performed countless memorable routines and received endless amounts of praise from the judges. All the praise in the world couldn’t take her to final 2 though, and she left just short of her goal. Today, she spoke to BuddyTV in an exclusive interview and addressed everything from her breakdown in Vegas to reading what her fans say about her online.
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 Katee from So You Think You Can Dance. Well, I can’t tell you how many fans were shocked that you ended up going out third instead of making final two. What did you make of the situation now that you’ve had some time to think about it?
I mean, you always hope that you’re going to be the last one standing, but obviously, it didn’t work out that way. But I couldn’t be prouder of the boys. I know how hard that all of us had to work to just even be in the final four. Even to make it there was a feat in itself, so I think the whole experience in itself was an awesome one.
What went through your mind when Cat told you won $50,000?
[laughs] That was awesome because, you know, I was sad because I was leaving because I was eliminated, and then when they said they had a surprise, it was definitely pure shock, I think. And definitely, it was unexpected, but it was a nice gesture for them to do.
Do you wish that there wasn’t so much attention focused on what happened in Vegas, where you said that you wouldn’t come back and audition again? Do you wish that that wasn’t such a big part of your story this season?
You know, I do think that everything happens for a reason. Whether or not people liked me at the beginning, I feel like I did have to prove myself week after week, only because I did sense a little stigma to some people. I think I was sad in the finale when it appeared again only because I kind of felt like it was a little bit of a step backwards, I think. But, like I said, everything happens for a reason, so I don’t think it all would have turned out how it did if I didn’t start the way I did.
Back in Vegas, you did take that final spot on the show instead of your friend. How has she been through this season and in this process for you?
I mean, we’ve been friends for a while, so definitely she’s really supportive of me and she’d come to a couple of tapings. She is doing some awesome things this summer with dance and a dance company over in Dallas, so we’ve been emailing and calling each other. It’s still a support there all the time.
Do you have a favorite moment from this season?
The whole final four performance is probably my favorite. That and the first time we got to perform on the stage, I think.
You got a lot of compliments from the judges that you were flawless every time you took the stage, but was there a style of dance that was difficult for you to pick up or that you struggled with?
Oh my gosh, yes. West Coast swing and the samba definitely took me a while.
What was it about Joshua, since you two worked together so much this season, that made him a great partner for you?
You know, I think we developed a trust in each other really early on, and you definitely need that, especially when you’re partnering. I know that I could challenge him not to drop me. You know, I would end up with bruises all over my body, but I would know that he was always going to be there to catch me, and I wouldn’t fall on my face. That was awesome.
Hip hop dancers aren’t known for having the best technical ability. Were you a little bit nervous when you saw that you were going to be paired with Joshua in the beginning?
You know, I wasn’t nervous, but Joshua and I didn’t know that much about each other when we first started, so I don’t think either one of us thought that we would have been paired together. It turned out to be an awesome partnership and we got close really fast, so I think it definitely worked out.
Looking back at your time on the show, are you satisfied with the way that everything happened for you?
Yeah, definitely. I mean, I wouldn’t want to change anything. I feel like I tried my best, and the experience in itself has allowed me to grow a lot as a dancer. Each week, I’m really grateful for the styles that I picked and the choreographers I got to work with only because I feel like they all cared for me and really pushed me every time.
How has it been to be back home for a little bit and decompress from this experience?
It’s really good to see my family and friends only because I’ve been away for so long, and to sleep in my own bed.
Have you been reading the fan responses online? Do you keep up with that stuff, or do you try to stay away from it?
I read the messages or emails or whatever that people send me personally, but I try not to read the blogs only because I know that there are both negatives and positives on there and I don’t really want to get into that.
Well, what are you most excited about in terms of going out on this huge national tour you guys are about to leave on?
Oh, I can’t wait to go to every city and perform. I think that definitely, while we are doing the show, everybody puts a lot of pressure on themselves to do so well because it is a competition. Now that we’re out of that scene, we can just dance and do all our favorite numbers. I think it’s going to be a blast.
Is there a routine that you liked that you didn’t perform in but that someone else did this season?
Oh, there’s a bunch. I love “Bleeding Love.”
Are you excited to get back together with everybody? Do you miss the other dancers already?
Yeah, it’s crazy. I think I’ve been home for like a day and a half and I’ve already called five people, like, “I miss you already!” I mean, we literally spent every waking moment with each other.
Well, we can’t wait to see you on the tour, and I just wanted to thank you for your time, Katee.
Oh, no problem.
– Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of FOX)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
