So You Think You Can Dance Q&A: Caitlynn Lawson and Ricky Jamie

Caitlynn Lawson and Ricky Jamie joined us for the obligatory morning after conference call on Friday, August 5 and both were bubbly and enthusiastic about both their experience on the show and their excitement for the upcoming finale.

Ricky first addressed something I wondered about Wednesday night, which was what he thought about being given the first Waacking routine ever on SYTYCD and whether or not he thinks it might have hurt his chances to continue. “I was more excited that Waacking was being introduced to the world than worried about my chances. I’m excited that it got to be a part of the So You Think You Can Dance family. I wasn’t really thinking about going home, all you can do it do your best, dance openly, and live your life.”

For Caitlynn, those moments on the show when Nigel and the others talked about her coming of age were the best part of her experience. “Any opportunity to be on the stage was amazing for me, and both of the pieces (the Mandy Moore Contemporary to “Love You More” by Celine Dion and last night’s Sonya Tayeh routine with Marko) were touching for me and fun. Since they were in my style it was easier to go all out. Those two and the Tango with Pasha were my favorite performances.” She also loved ballroom in general and it’s something she’s “always been interested in but never had the opportunity to take classes. I hope to continue in that and in Hip-Hop when the tour is over.”

As far as what routines they hope to see on tour, Caitlynn wants the chance to perform her Argentine Tango again, as well as the Contemporary routine with Marko from this week’s performance show. Ricky wants to redo the Sonya Tayeh routine he did with Ricky (the one with the fabric) and his ChaCha or Jive number. Ricky also “loved being a ballroom dancer on that floor” and wants “to be a ChaCha dancer so bad! After I get settled down in LA I’m going straight into the ballroom world. I love moving my hips as fast as I can and it looks so amazing one people…different dynamic than anything I’m trained in.”

Are either of them disappointed to make it this far and then not into the finale? Not really.  Caitlynn assures us she “wanted the opportunity to be around amazing people and dancers and learn as much as I could. There’s a silver lining. It’s sad to get cut but every day I was here I learned more and more and accomplished my goals…I’m really happy with my whole experience. We don’t have to go home and we’ll get to be a part of the show this week so if there is a good time to get cut this is a good time. I worried about making the Top 20, nevermind the Top 6.” Ricky added “This show has shown me how far I can come. I didn’t want to leave these friendships so I’m glad I wasn’t put on a plane back home…Top 6, that’s crazy. I’m happy and grateful I was able to get on the show this season. I’m not upset to be cut right before the finale, I’ve pulled through every show and I’m here and rehearsing and haven’t gone home yet.”

If you’ve noticed a trend of loving Sonya Tayeh in this recap, you’re not seeing things. Both cited her as their favorite choreographer on the show. Caitlynn says she’s “amazing, she pushes you to really dive into whatever she says and to a whole new level. I began and ended my journey on the show with her and I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Ricky quickly jumped in with a “same here, Sonya was amazing work with. You think you’re so tired or achy and Sonya is like “nope, don’t care, keep going.” Ricky also wishes he could have worked with Travis Wall, but hopes he’ll get the chance in the future.

Speaking of the future, did you know two of our contestants have plans to room together in LA? Ricky shared “after the tour I am planning to move to LA with Clarice. I’m up for anything, excited, hopefully I’ll get into acting and keep dancing and working with new people.” Caitlynn also has “an apartment set up down here, so I’m moving and plan to audition as much as I can, do as much as possible. I want to keep leaning, continue growing, and maybe even come back as an all-star in the future.”

One of the things about this show that has struck me season after season is the intense bond between contestants, and according to these two, Season 8 was no different. Caitlynn shared “We all get so close, we spend every day together going through the most amazing thing and hardest thing of our lives. They’re amazing people, great dancers, and I’m inspired by all of them. We’re all best friends and inseparable…I’m sad about the 10 days we’re going to spend away from each other before the tour!” Ricky was also “happy I was able to spend S8 with all of these dancers. When we’re all in the same room it’s this different, really good energy I needed and wanted at this point in my career. It’s the best thing ever, not even a friendship, it’s a family. There’s no sneaky talking behind people’s backs, it’s a family and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

They continued along the same train of thought when asked if they thought the judges might have chosen differently, or who they suspect will come out of next week’s finale victorious. Caitlynn: “Everyone here is so amazing, it’s such a privilege to be here. I’m happy for the four who are in it and I can’t wait to watch them do amazing next week.” Ricky: I’m so excited for the Top 4. Tadd is the most unique and amazing dancer, he deserves to be where he is right now, and Marko too. I’m happy I was able to do my solo and show America why I was there and for the judges to see I’ve grown. I walked off state happy and proud and gave Cat (Deeley) a really big smile.”

As far as picking a favorite, Caitlynn laughed “It’s like trying to pick your favorite sibling, you can’t do that. I just want them all to do their best, kill it, do amazing…you never know what will happen on this show and it’s really up to America now.”

Caitlynn answered some questions about the support of both her family and her hometown in Washington, gushing “My parents mean everything to me, I mean I wouldn’t be here, or even have had the confidence to audition without them.” And as for the support from home? “It’s meant so much, I did not expect that people would be so supportive…just in awe and so inspired to know so many people were behind me. It’s my hometown and I miss it…they’re the people who have made me me and I can’t be more thankful for their response.”

As they look forward, each has a few words of advice. For Caitlynn, it’s all about continuing to learn and improve. She’s the “type of person who always wants to get better at what I’m doing, so my favorite part of dance is how it’s always evolving so you have to keep pushing yourself.”

Ricky says “Have faith in yourself, and confidence, and push yourself. Leave your heart on the floor every time you go out. This show has taught me it’s not about being perfect, it’s about growing and getting better. If you do your best, work your butt off, you’ll get great results. Never give up. Once you set your mind that you’re not as good as someone else, it’s so difficult. Your mind is so powerful, and if you tell yourself you’re not going to quit it will take you so far in life.”

Caitlynn, Ricky, and the rest of the previously eliminated dancers will return as part of the finale this Wednesday and Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

Photos Courtesy of Adam Rose and Fox