Interview: Alexie Agdeppa talks about 'So You Think You Can Dance'

Alexie Agdeppa was surprised to be in the bottom three following So You Think You Can Dance's first seventh-season performance episode.

ADVERTISEMENT

It's good she also understood that anything could happen, as the 26-year-old jazz dancer from Rowland Heights, CA who currently resides in Los Angeles, CA became the first finalist eliminated from So Yo Think You Can Dance's seventh season during Thursday night's live broadcast of the Fox reality competition series.

During a conference call with reporters on Friday, Alexie talked to Reality TV World about how she felt heading into Thursday night's results show, her take on the judges' criticism that she was a little too cute during her performances, and how she continues to work in the world of dance.

Reality TV World: How did you feel heading into Thursday night's results show? Did you initially think you would be in the bottom three, and then once you learned you were, did you think your solo would save you?

Alexie: I was actually surprised, just because I know hip-hop is not my genre. So going into the actual duet, I did my best out there. I don't know. I didn't really expect to be in the bottom three, but I did ready myself just in case. Of course I was in the mind set ready to dance for my life just in case.


With that show, you never know what's going to happen. So in terms of the results show, I did come in knowing that I did my best the day before but also knowing that I could be going home.

Reality TV World: What did you think of the judging panel's criticism that you were too cute during your Wednesday night performance?

Alexie: (laughing) It's funny because I'm a very vivacious spirit. Some people can maybe misinterpret that as immaturity. But I was me. I can't help being me. I can't help smiling while I dance.

If that is cute for some people, than it's cute for some people. Like I said, I did my absolute best in what I could have done. I wouldn't have done it any differently.

Reality TV World: Were you dancing full-time before the show?


Alexie: I was auditioning and booking a couple of things, like I did a Macy Gray video right before I got the show, which was cool. I've mostly been teaching dancing at a studio in southern California.

Reality TV World: What's next for you? Did participating in the show make you want to dance even more?

Alexie: I still want to be doing the same things. I definitely want to book more shows, maybe like a Cirque show or something or dance for an artist. But eventually I do want to open up my own school -- my own dance studio -- and maybe dabble into a little more acting on the side, because I do do that on the side too.

Also in the call, Alexie talked about her all-star partner, if her So You Think You Can Dance experience was what she thought it would be, and who she thinks is going to win the seventh season.

You previously commented how you were excited to possibly be paired with Stephen "Twitch" Boss. How happy were you that you had the opportunity to dance with his am your all-star partner?


Alexie: That was so awesome! It was like meant to be that I got him in the first week and then funny that I was eliminated. I was so excited to get him as a partner. I admire him as a dancer and as a person.

Did he give you any advice?

Alexie: Definitely. It's an advantage having the all-stars this season, especially for that reason. You definitely get nervous, especially if you're dancing not in your genre and if the movement is more foreign to you than if I were to pick a jazz or contemporary routine. So in terms of the steps, he was so helpful.

I really got a lot of information about how to really get into the hip-hop groove. In terms of the actual competition, he just was so sweet and really calmed me down right before we would go on stage. We really got focused and really thought about our connection as a couple for the routine.

You auditioned a few times before you actually made it onto the show. Was your So You Think You Can Dance experience what you expected it would be?


Alexie: It was definitely not what I expected. I had an idea of maybe what the show was like because I had obviously seen it and auditioned for it. You kind of get a taste for what it's like, but it's way more rigorous. You realize how much you need to push yourself because you're going every single day --  you're dancing the whole day and your mind is going in different directions because you're learning a routine, and sometimes it's a routine that's not your specialty genre.

So you're worried about your performance, your worried about remembering the steps, your worried about all the people you hope will vote for you. It's a really intense situation. It's a lot more intense than I could have imagined; but even more rewarding getting on it than I could have imagined too.

Of the remaining Top 10, who do you think is going to make it to the finale?

Alexie: That is a hard question just because I'm such friends with all of them. I really don't know. I know that [Alex Wong and Billy Bell] are aliens and they're unreal in their movements -- so I wouldn't be surprised if they were in it.

For the females, they're all really strong contestants. I do hope a girl wins (laughing), just because I'm so proud of the strong women that are on this show. So I think I'm rooting for a girl, but they're all amazing and they all deserve to win, but of course only one of them can.


What does dance mean to you in your life?

Alexie: It is something that is always going to be a part of me. I've been doing it since I was young, and luckily I've been able to perform -- I've been able to share it with a lot of people, whether it be through stage or on camera. It is who I am. I know it sounds really corny, but I cannot imagine doing anything else.

My heart and soul is into this. When my body breaks down and I'm not going to be able to dance anymore, I'm still going to be related to it in some way whether it be opening up a school or teaching.






About The Author: Christopher Rocchio