Exclusive: 'So You Think You Can Dance's Malece Miller: I was shocked to get cut first time in the bottom

So You Think You Can Dance eliminated Malece Miller, a 19-year-old contemporary dancer from Los Angeles, CA, during Tuesday night's live show on Fox, which determined the tenth season's Top 10 contestants.
 
Malece, along with Alan Bersten, a 19-year-old ballroom dancer from Minnetonka, MN, were eliminated by So You Think You Can Dance judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy as well as guest judge Kenny Ortega after they found themselves in the week's bottom-six dancers based on home viewer votes cast for the Top 12 finalists immediately following last Tuesday night's show.


On Wednesday, Malece talked to Reality TV World about her So You Think You Can Dance experience.

Reality TV World: You were considered a frontrunner throughout the competition thus far, as the judges pretty much always gushed about you and you had never landed in the bottom six. But Jenna Johnson and Makenzie Dustman both landed in the bottom three times apiece this season and they're still in it. I guess, knowing that, were you surprised to get eliminated and how does that make you feel?

Malece Miller: Yeah, I was definitely shocked to be eliminated the first time that I was in the bottom, but I adore Makenzie and Jenna both, so I think that they definitely deserve to be there.

Reality TV World: Do you have any idea what the judges and choreographers' fascination with Jenna and Makenzie is?  What do you think they see in those two girls that maybe America was missing, since they're not really getting the votes each week?


Malece Miller: I don't know. Makenzie and Jenna are both amazing, technically strong.  I think all six of us girls were great, so I think no matter what the decision would've been hard.

Reality TV World: Does it kind of worsen the blow of your elimination a little bit more knowing you were just shy of making the So You Think You Can Dance tour?  Are you considering taking Nigel's advice in that he suggested you audition to be an alternate, I think he said?

Malece Miller: I definitely think that made this whole elimination a lot harder knowing that we were just one week away from Top 10, but I hope [Alan and I] both get to alternate on the tour.  I'd love to audition for that.

Reality TV World: In the jazz dance you performed with Alan, it pretty much seemed to be the consensus that you were kind of missing chemistry and the way you executed some of the moves made Nigel disappointed. He even said he was a little "uncomfortable" watching it.  What's your reaction to that and why did you seem to struggle with that dance?

Malece Miller: I am a little bit shocked at Nigel's comments just because Alan and I had so much fun doing that dance together.


Reality TV World: Last week, Alan and yourself received raving reviews for your salsa routine in that the lifts were amazing and you two kept up your energy as best as possible.  As a result, Anna Kendrick noted she'd love for you two to make a baby together.  You both clearly laughed at that. So what went through your mind?  Is there any hope of a little romantic chemistry between you guys or no?

Malece Miller: I don't know.  Yes, I don't know.  I was kind of shocked when she said that.  I didn't really know how to feel or what to think.  Yes, I love Alan.

Reality TV World: When I talked to Curtis Holland last week he explained he took his partner Hayley Erbert out on a date just to work on their connection and chemistry as dancers. I guess since that was kind of one of the main critiques you two had, about your chemistry, did that ever cross your minds that maybe spending a little time together outside of the competition might improve your showmanship?

Malece Miller: Yes and no, but we didn't have a lot of time to do a lot of other things.

Reality TV World: How many times did you try out before actually making it into the Top 20 on So You Think You Can Dance?


Malece Miller: This is my second year trying out.  I didn't even make it to Vegas last year.

Reality TV World: What made you originally want to audition?

Malece Miller: Just watching it growing up, definitely.  I was just really obsessed and that's all I wanted to do my whole life.

Reality TV World: What's next for you?  What are your future plans and goals now that you have the strong foundation of the show to build on?

Malece Miller: I just want to continue dancing wherever I can.  I'm hoping to just keep the momentum going and hopefully stay working. And maybe [Alan and I] can tour.


Check back with Reality TV World soon for Alan's interview.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski