Somehow, NBC’s World of Dance got even better this week. With Qualifiers wrapped, we were able to dive into Duels. Before, the cut was 80 points. Now, it’s beating your opposing dancer or crew in the round. That is no easy task. People were here to win in the first place and they’re only going bigger and getting sharper. If you missed out on Qualifiers, you can catch up with Top 5 moments for Episode 1, Episode 2, and Episode 3.
Now let’s talk dance!
1. Fik-Shun (When He Went Backward and Pulsed in Time)
Fik-Shun knows what he’s doing. The man is so at peace in performances, you could forget there’s money on the line. But while cool and calm, he nails his routines like this is all he’s thought about for years. Through and through, his performance, the first one of the night, showed us what to expect as this show goes on. People are only going to give their all and then some. His defining move, though, was when he faced away from the judges and then lowered himself onto his back with knees bent and still danced like it was the season finale, all to the time of the music. It was mind-melting to watch. See what makes him unforgettable at :59 in the video below.
2. Nick Daniels (When an Already Wild Move Was Upgraded)
It’s hard to talk about Nick Daniels without going on and on about how flexible he is. However, it’s not just that. With that agility, the young (and amazing) dancer shows off how much control he’s in of his very strong body. Honestly, it’s hard to believe there’s anything on the list of moves he can’t do. In a technically wonderful cartwheel-to-flip, he throws his leg out in the air, so that it’s almost a fighting move. But he goes right back into his floor routine, never missing a step. There may have been a lot of surreal moves in his performance, but that one is something you won’t soon forget. See what took audiences and judges aback at :27 in the video below.
3. Swing Latino (When a Dancer Was Full-Body Thrown)
The men and women of Swing Latino bring as much precision as they do fun. Their technical prowess is stunning, but it’s their outfits, energy, and Wow Moments that sends everyone into the night talking about them. Such was the case in Duels. After they delivered a sensational and lively routine that had J.Lo out of her seat and dancing, they managed to still go bigger and surprise us in the end. With body twirls and body tosses galore, maybe we should’ve expected such a dramatic ending. But, really, throwing a dancer from one group to another, especially one in a full-standing pyramid of sorts, is the defining moment. Then the woman, after being caught, throws herself backward and upside-down to deliver the final move. Truly, seriously unreal. See them go above and beyond at 1:10 in the video below.
4. Eva Igo (When She Proved Once and For All It’s Her World)
The fact that Eva Igo is only 14 won’t stop being unbelievable and impressive at any point this season. She demands attention and commands respect, only to be as warm and humble as a person can be in her interview. In her jaw-dropping performance, set to Juliet Simms’s”It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World”, her facial expressions were intense and her movements were surreal. They packed a fierceness throughout, but the most memorable moment was the way she made her way across the stage, nailing trick after treat, one spin, kick, and roll after another. See her bring her A game like hell at 1:14 in the video below.
5. Keone & Mari (When They Threw Their Phones Away)
It must be insanely hard to battle your friends for a million dollars on national television. Keone and Mari had to just that against their former students in Quick Style (who even came up with their routine inside their opponents’ home). In fact, the judges didn’t want to send either team home—and rightfully so—but, alas, they had to. What made the difference was storytelling. Keone and Mari delivered a performance that demanded personal investment and it was impossible to turn away. The key moment was when their in-performance characters threw away their phones and became each other’s one and only. An already technically well-crafted routine was pumped full of new life in that instant. See the magic happen at :54 in the video below.
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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