So You Think You Can Dance's judging panel sent Sheaden Gabriel home, which determined The Next Generation's Top 8 finalists, during Monday night's performance show on Fox.
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Sheaden, a 12-year-old hip-hop dancer from Murrieta, CA, fell into the bottom two for the second week in a row based on home viewer votes from last week's show. He was eliminated from the competition after SYTYCD judges Nigel Lythgoe, Maddie Ziegler, Paula Abdul and Jason Derulo deliberated.
"I feel like I am a shy person in life, but when I dance, that's when I'm really speaking," Sheaden said in the video montage that played following his elimination.
"I just want to thank you for your willingness, your hard work and your kindness to others, especially to me," added Sheaden's All-Star Marko Germar. "I am going to miss you and I'll see you soon."
The judges had to determine whether Sheaden or his fellow bottom-two dancer Ruby Castro, a 12-year-old ballroom dancer from Miami, FL, should be ousted from Season 13. They ultimately decided to save Ruby, whose All-Star partner is Paul Karmiryan.
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Monday night's broadcast featured each Top 9 dancer performing a solo as well as a routine with his or her All-Star partner. Only the duets were critiqued by the judges.
Sheaden and Marko went out with a bang last night after dancing a highly-praised and fresh hip-hop routine. Sheaden was complimented on his animated face and the contagious joy he exudes while performing. Although he was considered the "underdog," Jason Derulo said he acted like "a boss" onstage.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski