This morning I had the pleasure of speaking with Channing Cooke, the latest dancer to be eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance. I’m no psychologist, but based on Channing’s tone and short answers, it would seem she’s just as upset and confused about her elimination last night as the rest of us are.
Here’s what she had to say about her partnership with Victor, the Blackbird routine, and what she wishes she’d done different during her time on So You Think You Can Dance.
What did you think of Tyce Diorio’s “Blackbird” routine? Do you believe, as Adam Shankman said, the music made it more difficult to connect with?
“Tyce was trying to do something different and go with a different choice of music. I thought it was a cool dance and the choreography went well with it. Everyone has their own opinion and we had fun with it. I think the show needed something different like that.”
As a dancer was it fun to get into a quirky character like the Blackbird during your performance?
“It’s definitely fun to get into a character, it takes your dancing to a different level. If you get to live in a character it’s more fun and exciting to watch, people can get in the character with you.”
What did you think about Nigel saying America couldn’t connect with you emotionally and that’s why you were in the bottom 3?
“Everyone has their opinions. Ultimately, it’s just what the show puts across and what they air and what they show. What they showed isn’t all of me. Victor and I, we had a great partnership, and I wish it showed a little more. But it is what it is.”
What was your partnership with Phillip like?
“It was tough.I felt at times I could have lifted him better than he could have lifted me. I fell on my head a few times, but we figured out how to use my strength to aide in some of the lifts. It ended up working kind of well.”
Would you rather have been critiqued on your technique or personality?
“I’ve been working on my technique for 15 years. The technique part will always be there. And I have a personality. But it just didn’t come through as I wish it had.”
What do you wish you’d done differently during your time on So You Think You Can Dance?
“Gotten my face in the camera more and shown people more of myself. They only give you so much time to do so, and I should have jumped in front of the camera often.”
Do you have any predictions on who will be crowned America’s Favorite Dancer this season?
“I have my predictions, however this is something you can’t truly predict because things can happen that you just don’t expect.”
What’s the biggest lesson you learned from your time on So You Think You Can Dance?
“ThatI can push myself through boundaries that I set before. I’m never going to set limits again, because I know I can break them.”
–Abbey Simmons, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
