‘So You Think You Can Dance’ interview: Hayley Erbert and Paul Karmiryan
“So You Think You Can Dance” has managed to find a pretty stellar crop of performers in what has been (at least in our estimation) a comeback season, and you could see evidence of that just in the talent level of the six dancers who performed on the show last year.
Just when you consider that we had both Hayley Erbert and Paul Karmiryan listed as favorites to win the entire season at times this year, it is a perfect testament to the pretty-equal level of competition on the show to see that they were both sent home last night. Neither dancer did anything wrong, but when America’s vote controls the last elimination before the final rounds, anything can happen.
In a conference call today, we had an opportunity to ask what the emotional process was like for these two in making it so far and being proud of that, but also knowing that they were so close to the finale at their time of elimination.
Hayley – “It’s a little bittersweet at this point because we were so close to the finale, but I’m so proud of Aaron [Turner], Fik-Shun, Jasmine [Harper], and Amy [Yakima] for making it, because they’re amazing at dance and incredible human beings, too, because I got so close to them over the weeks.
“I’m really upset because I didn’t get to show America my last bit, but I’m still so happy that I even made it this far because I never expected it to begin with. I’m so blessed to have been given this opportunity at all.”
Paul – “Of course it’s everyone’s goal to make it all the way, but just thinking back to L.A. auditions and the journey I’ve made, it’s amazing making it this far. I have no regrets and I think that’s the most important thing.
“…It’s bittersweet as Hayley said where you would want to go all the way and actually have the full potential of dancing each possible dance, but then again everything happens for a reason and [the other dancers] all deserve to be there. It was a hard decision for America. This season has been so strong, and I wish them all the best.”
When it comes to their future, Hayley and Paul each said later in the call that they would be interested in taking on a career in acting, though Hayley also would be happy to work as a backup dancer for Justin Bieber or another big star. Paul said that he would be interested in “Dancing with the Stars” if they came calling, and given what we saw of him this year, they really should be interested. The guy has great talent.
Are you going to miss these two on the show the next two weeks? Be sure to share your thoughts below, and check back tomorrow: We’re going to have more details about the performances and judges to be featured on the show next week.
Photo: Fox
cathyhuanhuan
August 30, 2013 @ 11:15 am
as a SYTYCD fan from China, I was so so surprised to know that Paul was eliminated. What is going on in the Americans’s mind? Maybe they are more attracted to personality than dance itself. Then again, when it comes to personality, paul is very charismatic. He looks like a star and dance like a start, for me he is the best male dancer this year! Maybe the Americans think that he has already won the Armenian one and wanted to give others the chance,
As for female dance, it seems that amy might won the finale. Still my favorite dancer is Mackenzie. Amy is cute but Mackenzie is gorgeous and elegant.
Elci
August 29, 2013 @ 11:43 am
I am heartbroken over losing Paul. Like, really really devastated as I haven’t been for a SYTYCD contestant in a looong time. I just thought he was perfect, PERFECT. LOL. Could do no wrong and it was a total privilege to watch him dance each week, conquer each genre he was tossed and totally disappear into his role/character or story. I am so bummed and a little flabbergasted, to be totally honest. And Aaron and FikShun are both fabulous and charismatic too, of course. Just not like Paul! LOL I think the former two benefited just a smidge from their season-long narrative arcs and the fact that they seemed like “chosen” dancers and members of the two “chosen” power couples (even though Paul and Makenzie were always my pick for power couple). I guess the fact that Paul along with Hayley were eliminated before the finale speaks to the level of talent this season. But I also think it speaks more to how fickle the votes can be and how the Top 6 cut is always the cruelest (Mark, Cole) and how tragic this show can be! That’s how I see it anyway, but I am sad and not particularly looking to see things in a positive light ;) LOL ugh, I have to get over this but it’s rough, man. I get annoyed when I hear people say the right 4 made it. Re: the guys, as I said, Aaron and FikShun are super talented, have shown versatility to varying degrees and clearly connected with the audience (but so did Paul, too, I thought? What happened crazy fangirls?!?!) So I am not annoyed they are in the finale, at all. But the “right” 4? I dunno about that, as there is nothing right about Paul not being in the finale, nothing right about not seeing him dance all the dances he could dance. The more I think about it the angrier I get – oh well. As long as he keeps dancing and I can keep enjoying him, that is really all I care about.
Hayley was such a surprise for me this season, too, and I really came around to enjoying her. She made everything work and was never given a really prime, pimp dance (dancing her AT with Leonardo was a nice bonus, but I am not sure I could ever consider the Argentine Tango a gift of a routine when we have Amy dancing Travis choreo with Travis at the end of a show). She said she was the “sexy” dancer maybe, and she was definitely that (could Amy have danced that rumba with such sensuality?). But Hayley was also so sweet and grounded and girl-next-door like – it was easy to like her. But I feel like the writing was on the wall for her, just a tad. Paul’s elimination was more upsetting in that I felt the rug pulled from under me. From Paul’s crushed-but-trying-to-stay-professional facial reaction, I think he felt a little like that too. Or maybe it was just me.
Their contemporary together was one of my faves of the night, and of course now the dance takes on an extra layer of sadness and bitter-sweetness. Mwwah I am going to miss that Armenian Latin ballroom dynamo! I think he was a pretty singularly special talent, and I am so grateful I’ve had the chance to watch Paul all these weeks. He was a revelation ;)