JesseLee Santos has done it all, from touring with Britney Spears to performing with Madonna and Alicia Keys at the Grammys. He’s done dozens of music videos, from Missy Elliott’s “Pass the Dutch” to Will Smith’s “Wild Wild West.” Now he’s going to judge the World of Dance Finals. So we obviously had to find out more about what he’s looking for in the upcoming competition.
What do you look for when judging dance performances?
JS: Love this question! As an adjudicator, I look for diversity and overall uniqueness. Dance has become such a universal scope of language, and I love and look forward to see how teams and families all over communicate their interpretation of what “dance performance” means to them.
What in particular will you be on the lookout for when judging the World of Dance Finals?
JS: The key things that I would be looking for at the finals is mainly the production value and eclecticness of movement from each crew or team.
What especially stands out to you as a judge for the most part?
JS: What stands out to me the most is uniqueness. What I’m seeing on stage, is it “one of a kind” and how does it become memorable to me over the other teams on stage?
Why do you think dance is important to the world?
JS: Dance is important to the world because life doesn’t necessarily come out too easy in most communities, cultures, families, and young talent of today. So with dance it becomes a language, an acceptable and universal voice, that most young voices or communities are allowed to use to express areas of their life trials, tribulations, blessings, and conquests that they’re not able to express otherwise with just simple words. To be given the opportunity to exhale expression within creative movements for some people is as strong as a “prayer.”
What’s your favorite part of being a dance judge?
JS: Favorite part of being a judge is being able to travel and see all the different types of dance culture and community on a global scale.
Love music and dance as much as us? Tune into NBC’s World of Dance Tuesdays at 10/9 central to see the world’s best dancers battle it out for a whopping $1 million prize. The premiere properly kicked off the competition! Don’t miss exclusive interviews, performances, and more from the definitive source for all things NBC World of Dance.
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