They aren’t Asian American dancers for Season 5 of So You Think You Can Dance, but Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover did a good job of dancing to Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire. Bollywood looks like it’s going to be a part of SYTYCD in future seasons. The number was choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan. Remember Katee Shean and Joshua Allen’s Bollywood dance routine from last season.
So You Think You Can Dance season 5 – Bollywood edition
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Summer sensation SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE has already kicked off its fifth season. The original dance competition series will inspire and amaze viewers as dancers skilled in styles ranging from hip-hop to ballroom compete to be named America’s Favorite Dancer. Here’s the Asian American faces among the 20 finalists this season.
Karla Garcia
Dance Specialty: Jazz/Contemporary
Hometown: Oxon Hill, MD
Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY
Age: 23
Garcia is a graduate of New York University. Her early dance experience included learning traditional Filipino folk dancing. Garcia performed on Broadway in “Hot Feet,” danced in the ensemble of the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” and went on to tour with “Wicked.” She is a member of “Boogie Bots Crew.”
Asuka Kondoh
Dance Specialty: Latin Ballroom
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Currently Resides: Irvine, CA
Age: 25
Kondoh loves swimming, golf and tennis and has played piano for 13 years. She is a graduate of University of California, Irvine, and has worked as a Latin Ballroom instructor for the last two years. Check out Asuka Kondoh and Ricky Sun.
Kupono Aweau
Dance Specialty: Lyrical/Contemporary
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Currently Resides: Kailua, HI
Age: 23
Aweau graduated from the Kamehameha Schools and has been dancing since he was 16 years old. He loves his home state of Hawaii, and is an avid collector of home furnishings.
Meet the top 20 finalists for So You Think You Can Dance season 5
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Last week Lisa Ling hit the TV airwaves to get visibility for detained US journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee in North Korea. She went on the Today Show, Nightline, and Larry King. Here’s Lisa Ling with Anderson Cooper:
Lisa Ling on Anderson Cooper for Laura Ling and Euna Lee
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Earlier this week, the two journalists were sentenced to 12 years in jail. There have been a lot of support for the two reporter with vigils held coast to coast last week and almost 50k signatures to free them.
Here’s a clip from Yo Teach!, a fake sitcom used to promote the upcoming movie “Funny People”. This episode of “Yo Teach!” entitled “Miki Moves Up” involves the teacher giving “advice” to Asian American student Miki. Watch it and let us know what you think.
Yo Teach! demotivate the Asians – Miki Moves Up
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Chinese immigrants came to America in search for a better life. But facing stiff immigration laws, their journey was far from easy. The Angel Island Immigration Station recently reopened. Learn more about Angel Island here.
What was life like for Chinese immigrants on Angel Island?
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Very interesting commentary by David Choi on race. There was a comment on his latest video Super Mario Land Theme Song, a collabo between David Choi and Paul Dateh. The comment stated:
“David, you only hang out with Asians. As a white kids, this gets kinda awkward, when every video I watch with a guest has an Asian person in it. Expect for the one with Chester. Just one.”
The comment makes us recall the audience question at the “Better Luck Tomorrow” screening at The Sundance Film Festival when someone asked how Justin Lin could “make a film as so empty and amoral for Asian Americans and for Americans.”
David Choi just wants to share music and inspire. Race of the person in his videos shouldn’t matter. There are many good points by David Choi in the video. A point that stood out for us is the lack of Asians in entertainment. Even when roles should be Asian, Hollywood changes the ethnicity cast such as 21, Dragonball Evolution, and The Last Airbender. (also see kevjumba’s commentary Asians Just Aren’t Cool Enough)
Watch the whole video by David Choi and let us know what you think. Keep up the great work David.
David Choi commentary on race
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