During his time on So You Think You Can Dance Kupono Aweau impressed and challenged the judges (and America) with his quirky style both on and off the dance floor.
Despite the fact he was eliminated the evening before, Kupono was just as positive, cheery, and quirky during our chat as he was on the show. He chatted with the SYTYCD press about working with Wade Robson, his signature dance move, and how working with Mia Michaels on the addiction piece was just the therapy he didn’t realize he needed.
Here’s Kupono’s Signature move:
On his Signature Move:
It’s my happy dance! It’s what I do backstage to make people laugh and get my spirits up. It’s the most ridiculous movement ever. When you’re doing it, you can’t help but smile. It’s just a good thing and it lifts people’s spirits. I wouldn’t mind if it was the next big dance craze, I’m not gonna lie!
On working with Wade Robson for the “Crash Test Dummies” dance:
I was ecstatic when I got him! Working with Wade, he’s just a positive person. I’m all about energies and that kind of stuff. He told us that he didn’t think there were any other people in the top 20 who could have pulled that off. We found ourselves in the characters he gave us. As weird as his movement is, I feel like I do it best or better than some other techniques. He’s an amazing visionary, a genius.
On whether it’s easier once America takes the reigns and decides who is sent home:
It’s easier. It’s out of your hands, and there is only so much you can do. I’m dancing just to dance and just to live on that stage. It’s kind of nice to leave it up to America. I don’t mind it, because it’s a popularity contest, not about whether I’m good enough. I’m totally happy with it.
On the personal pain and power of dancing Mia Michaels’ “Addiction” piece:
My father and my sister were meth addicts, when I was a sophomore or junior in high school. It was a really rough time for my family. Thank god they got healthy and thank god they got through it. My best friend, too. My family is that much stronger because of it. As horrible as it was, it got us to where we are today so I’m thankful to that. The crazy thing is, I was telling Mia about it, I feel like she brought stuff out I didn’t know was there. My family is so much better and I’ve dealt with everything, but there was still so much in there. It was like therapy. I needed Mia Michaels. I needed that piece, I needed Kayla. That whole piece was therapy for me and I needed it.
On the next task he hopes to cross off his to-do list:
What’s next? I can’t wait to see my niece. I absolutely miss my family to death, I miss my nieces so much. We give each other “knuckles.” That’s the next thing on my to-do list, I can’t wait to check it off
On what he hopes he’s remembered for on So You Think You Can Dance:
My fun spirit! I like to think I’m a cool cat, a fun guy and a positive spirit and I hope [viewers] got that from me.
–Abbey Simmons, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
