As we await to find out who is sent home tonight, I thought I'd post the interview gendance had with top 18 eliminee Ashley Valerio (S5)!
Ashley Valerio was one of the most unique contemporary dancers on this season of SYTYCD. Listen in as this 22-year-old LA native tells you about working with Wade Robson and why you should never give up.
Why do you think you were eliminated?
I actually don’t know. At the end of the day, they have to choose somebody and I was the 1 to go.
What do you think you’ll be remembered for?
I was honest. I was myself throughout the whole competition.
With that said, how does your personal style affect your dancing?
I feel like I’m the type of dancer that you either absolutely love or you don’t really care for.
Do you think the other contestants changed during the show?
No, but I think sometimes in front of the camera, personalities change. I haven’t seen anyone change too much though.
What was the hardest part of the show?
Actually, trying to get on it! Trying to make the Top 20 was the hardest. I’d been trying for so long. I auditioned for the 2nd season and didn’t make it through. I came back the next year, made it to the green mile, after that I made it to Vegas, got cut after ballroom and this year I finally made the Top 20.
When you kept making it each week, tell us the feeling you had.
You have to take it day by day. You can’t jump ahead of yourself. After a Thursday goes by, you can’t get too comfortable. You’re back in the same routine the next day. We go to dinner, go to sleep, wake up and rehearse. I didn’t celebrate too much because my mind was so focused on the upcoming days ahead of me.
You went on several press runs. Have you been star struck yet?
I haven’t met many people yet. But, when people would shout my name, it made me blush.
Wade Robson; do tell.
He’s one of the nicest choreographers I’ve ever worked with. A gentle soul, very sweet, very passionate. He really cares. I have so much respect for him.
Which choreographers were your faves?
The 2 people I wanted to work with most were Wade and Mia. They both pulled different things out of me I didn’t know I had.
What was your favorite routine?
It would have to be the Crash Test Dummies and Mia’s piece. I’ve always wanted to dance for Mia and I finally got the opportunity. Last Thursday was amazing. She pulled stuff out of me, the choreography was insane. The Crash Test Dummies was so different. It was more than dancing; it was building a storyline and character.
What’s your advice for gendance readers?
Never ever give up on what you love and what you want. Persistence pays off. I know because it took me a while. I finally made the show. I got to meet the 2 choreographers I dreamed of working with.
Audition tips for SYTYCD?
Know at the end of the day that it’s a TV show. Be personable and be yourself because that’s what America wants to see; a real persona struggling and trying to make it.
What’s next for you?
I’m not sure. I want to keep dancing. I’ll probably go out on more auditions and work my tukkos off.
Your favorite costume from the show was?
Crash Test Dummies. White face and white hair.
Do you get to keep the clothes?
Unfortunately, we don’t get to keep them.
Who became your best bud?
You know, we all became really close with each other. We didn’t have cliques. I could go to any 1 of them and pour my heart out.
What’s been your inspiration?
I’ve been through a lot of hard times. My mom taught me to stay positive and keep going. After what you love, there’s no greater journey than the journey that you go through, the end result is great but getting there is so much better.
The next generation…
Keeps getting better.
Besides dance, you love…
Being a homebody, watching movies, eating popcorn and friends.
What do you think you’ll be remembered for?
I was honest. I was myself throughout the whole competition.
With that said, how does your personal style affect your dancing?
I feel like I’m the type of dancer that you either absolutely love or you don’t really care for.
Do you think the other contestants changed during the show?
No, but I think sometimes in front of the camera, personalities change. I haven’t seen anyone change too much though.
What was the hardest part of the show?
Actually, trying to get on it! Trying to make the Top 20 was the hardest. I’d been trying for so long. I auditioned for the 2nd season and didn’t make it through. I came back the next year, made it to the green mile, after that I made it to Vegas, got cut after ballroom and this year I finally made the Top 20.
When you kept making it each week, tell us the feeling you had.
You have to take it day by day. You can’t jump ahead of yourself. After a Thursday goes by, you can’t get too comfortable. You’re back in the same routine the next day. We go to dinner, go to sleep, wake up and rehearse. I didn’t celebrate too much because my mind was so focused on the upcoming days ahead of me.
You went on several press runs. Have you been star struck yet?
I haven’t met many people yet. But, when people would shout my name, it made me blush.
Wade Robson; do tell.
He’s one of the nicest choreographers I’ve ever worked with. A gentle soul, very sweet, very passionate. He really cares. I have so much respect for him.
Which choreographers were your faves?
The 2 people I wanted to work with most were Wade and Mia. They both pulled different things out of me I didn’t know I had.
What was your favorite routine?
It would have to be the Crash Test Dummies and Mia’s piece. I’ve always wanted to dance for Mia and I finally got the opportunity. Last Thursday was amazing. She pulled stuff out of me, the choreography was insane. The Crash Test Dummies was so different. It was more than dancing; it was building a storyline and character.
What’s your advice for gendance readers?
Never ever give up on what you love and what you want. Persistence pays off. I know because it took me a while. I finally made the show. I got to meet the 2 choreographers I dreamed of working with.
Audition tips for SYTYCD?
Know at the end of the day that it’s a TV show. Be personable and be yourself because that’s what America wants to see; a real persona struggling and trying to make it.
What’s next for you?
I’m not sure. I want to keep dancing. I’ll probably go out on more auditions and work my tukkos off.
Your favorite costume from the show was?
Crash Test Dummies. White face and white hair.
Do you get to keep the clothes?
Unfortunately, we don’t get to keep them.
Who became your best bud?
You know, we all became really close with each other. We didn’t have cliques. I could go to any 1 of them and pour my heart out.
What’s been your inspiration?
I’ve been through a lot of hard times. My mom taught me to stay positive and keep going. After what you love, there’s no greater journey than the journey that you go through, the end result is great but getting there is so much better.
The next generation…
Keeps getting better.
Besides dance, you love…
Being a homebody, watching movies, eating popcorn and friends.
If you haven't already subscribed to gendance, please do so here with VIP code "SYTYCDISM"! They will be interviewing every contestant who gets eliminated so it will be definitely worth the newsletter to your email!
