Feel the Beat – Crunch time!

GT&T’s Feel the Beat is just about to wrap up and The Scene would like to go down memory lane just before the semi-finals next week. We have seen some unforgettable characters; we were happy to see some go and were saddened by the elimination of others; we have seen some drama and some enlightenment. Now let’s evaluate the Top 10’s performances and ratings for the past three weeks and ruminate on how far they have come.

The judges have rated the contestants out of 10 based on what they have seen; I have rated the contestants out of 5 based on what the judges said, the audience’s reaction, their presentations and my own observations.

Natoya – Natoya has come a long way. I do see potential in her but she has a lot of competition. She needs to get serious. She has the moves and the body, all she needs to do is drop the flaws and give it her all.
Judges’ average: 8
The Scene: 4 Stars

Dominic – Dominic is definitely a crowd and judges’ favourite. He is a fantastic dancer and he did improve in performances. It is however noticeable that Dominic cracks under pressure, this is going to be a disaster counting down to the last days of Feel the Beat. Dominic has also been given generally bad reviews when he is in groups – not a nice record for a dancer.
Judges’ average: 8
The Scene: 3 Stars

Adona – Well, well, well! I support Adona all the way to the very end! Adona knows exactly what her viewers want! She can bring it! She can do the impossible and she honestly amazes me. She is able to completely put herself into a whole new character week after week.
Judges’ average: 9
The Scene: 5 Stars

Jemal – Jemal is my boy! This dude knows how to rock! Jemal just knows to beat down a stage and he knows how to incorporate his moves into any style and any genre of music – that’s the ability of a true artiste and a true dancer. However, I fear that Jemal may run out of moves and disappoint his audience, nevertheless he has come this far. He may be going home with that $1 million.
Judges’ average: 8
The Scene: 5 Stars

Nadata – This girl knows how to dance yes, but what I see in her is pretty average – at this point we don’t want average, we want dazzle! I do wish her all the best but she is yet to amaze me. I’m not saying she doesn’t have good days; the thing is she is too far in this competition to be making the same silly mistakes such as timing and foot work.
Judges’ average: 8
The Scene: 3 Stars

Quaison – Quaison dances better with his wife, unfortunately she was knocked out weeks ago. Quaison has received only one good comment in the group he was presented in, this isn’t enough. Sure he is in the Top 10 but I seriously cannot see him winning this thing.
Judges’ average: 7
The Scene: 2 Stars

Sasha – Sasha can honestly do it! Sasha knows how to wow the audience by transferring herself into different characters and different emotions. But what Sasha lacks in reality is the ability to be mean and fierce, most of the time. She’s a quiet little girl who smiles all the time, at this point of the competition the other contestants will use that to their advantage, she needs to show the ferocious woman within, if she even exists.
Judges’ average: 8
The Scene: 4 Stars

David – To be honest with you (and I always have to be) David is my least favourite. David is a phenomenal dancer that the judges and the audience love at times but he has a big problem – maturity; David needs to grow up, Jemal is serious in his performances and can kick a beat but David just bursts out in spontaneous smiles and giggles, not only that but David finds the most ridiculous personas to copy which throws his character off balance. I don’t know how to take David seriously.
Judges’ average: 9
The Scene: 2 Stars

Patricia – In my opinion Patricia is only in the Top 10 because of the dancers that aid her or helped her out in groups, if she was to stand alone she would surely fall. But hey! That’s my opinion, I do see a silver lining in her simplicity and her beauty of expression, but now is not the time for simple – now is the time for astonishment.
Judges’ average: 8
The Scene: 3 Stars

When all is said and done, I wish all the contestants success. If they are reading this I mean no disrespect, just constructive criticism and a word of advice from this humble critic – I have watched your every move since you auditioned and I have high expectations of you by now. Please do not let me down. (Jairo Rodrigues)