Entertainment

The 'SYTYCD' Finale Will Challenge Zack Everheart, But His Chances Are Looking Pretty Good

The time has come: The winner of So You Think You Can Dance Season 11 will be announced on September 3 and one of my favorite dancers of the season, SYTYCD tapper Zack Everhart, is in the final four. In addition to earning the title of "America's Favorite Dancer" for a year, the winner of SYTYCD gets to be on the cover of Dance Spirit magazine, is offered a part in Broadway’s On the Town, and wins $250,000. Not too shabby.

Jessica Richens and Ricky Ubeda are the more technical dancers of the top four, while Zack and Valerie Rockey have the performance aspect down. Ricky is the frontrunner (he's got the moves and the facial expressions), but I split my final final 20 votes between Ricky and Zack. I think Ricky truly deserves to take the title home, but I’d also be happy if Zack won. And here's why...

Image: Mike Yarish/Fox

Strength: Partnering Skills

In almost all of his dances with her former partner Jacque, Zack showed what a reliable partner he was. And he showed that again in the August 27 episode in his Broadway dance with Jessica. He moved seamlessly from being a strong partner with the numerous lifts with Jessica to the sharp, jazzy movements.

Image: Adam Rose/Fox

Strength: Performance and Facial Expressions

Zack always shows his strong performance skills — most recently in the last episode with the “Hernando’s Hideaway” Broadway piece with Jessica. My eye was constantly drawn to him. It was the same with the opening number to “Wind Beneath My Wings” choreographed by Travis Wall. I just couldn’t stop watching him and Ricky.

Zack has mastered the right mix of showmanship and genuine emotion in his performances and I think that’s what has got him this far.

Image: Mike Yarish/Fox

Weakness: Technique and Extensions

Zack has got the performance thing down pat. But when it comes to his kicks, jumps, and turns, he’s definitely not the strongest guy. Stanley — who was eliminated before the Top 10 — had near inhuman extensions. And Ricky is probably the most technical dancer SYTYCD has had in Season 11.

Most of the time Zack can pull it off, but there are times when his kicks and jumps aren’t high enough, and his turns and body placement aren’t clean enough.

Image: Adam Rose/Fox

Strength: Versatility

Although Zack might not come to mind when you think of hip-hop, he showed he can pull it off when he was partnered with all-star Fik-Shun and also with the deck of cards-inspired hip-hop with Ricky. Having sharp movements can do that for you — it can make you look like a somewhat convincing hip-hop dancer.

As judge Nigel Lythgoe said about Ricky and Zack, “At first appearance, you are the least likely urban, swag-tastic dancing dudes we’ve ever had on this show … However with great choreography and with great performances, it just shows once you’re a great dancer, you can more or less do anything.”

Image: Mike Yarish/Fox

Strength: Passion

I think passion is one of the most important things when it comes to being on So You Think You Can Dance — and for being a dancer in general. Passion goes a long way with me — it makes me more drawn to and invested in a dancer and I think that’s why I first fell in love with Zack. He has never let me down when it comes to his dedication to his performance.

As judge Mary Murphy said to him, “You have been laying that passion out on that stage every single week.”

Image: Adam Rose/Fox

Weakness: Slip-Ups

Sometimes Zack literally slips. There have been a couple times when I’ve noticed him just stumble for a split second — like out of a turn in his fox-trot with Jacque (pictured) and in one his solo tap numbers. Tap shoes are slippery and he was doing some serious slides, so it’s forgivable. But he definitely doesn’t have the turning skills that dancers Jessica and Casey (who was in the Top 6) have.

I’ll let it go because he is always pushing himself and putting himself fully into each dance. It may lead to a slip up or two, but I’d rather that than him playing it too safe.

Image: Mike Yarish/Fox

Strength: Growth

The judges focus a lot on the growth of Zack as a dancer. It makes sense since he wasn’t a super standout when he first appeared on the live shows and he didn’t have the turnout or turns that some of the contemporary guys had. He previously auditioned for Season 9 and made it to the Top 30. When he came back to audition for Season 11, the judges actually didn’t like his solo and he had to go to the choreography round before being sent to callbacks. That shows dedication and the ability to learn from mistakes.

Over the weeks, I realized what an amazing dancer Zack was and he kept impressing me (and the judges) to the point where I was confused why he wasn’t getting more recognition. Well, his recognition has definitely come in the form of the final four dancers on the show. My absolute favorite guest judge this season (with second going to Tara Lipinski) Jesse Tyler Ferguson said, “I don’t understand how a choreographer could watch you in the trajectory of this show and not be desperate to work with you. You’re such a brilliant dancer.” Right on, Mitchell. Ferguson also called him a “true artist” for being malleable and learning to grow.

Image: Adam Rose/Fox

Strength: Fashion

Oh wait. That’s host Cat Deeley — not Zack — who knows how to rock a short, gold dress. Moving on.

Image: Mike Yarish/Fox

Weakness: Arms

Sometimes Zack’s arms aren’t as strong as I’d like them to be. He was doing some particularly funky arms in his tap dance to “Piano Man” with all-star Aaron. Perhaps it was a direction from the choreographer Anthony Morigerto, since Aaron also did them sometimes. It wasn’t the first time that I thought Zack’s arms could be stronger, but he more than made up for it with his next strength…

Image: Mike Yarish/Fox

Strength: Tap Sounds

…amazing tap rhythms. Nigel said that he can, “articulate tap brilliantly” after “Piano Man” and I agree 100 percent. Out of the two tappers left (how awesome is it that both Valerie and Zack made it to the Top 4?), Zack is the stronger one in the style. He seems to never miss a beat, er, tap.

Image: Adam Rose/Fox

Strength: Humility

Zack seems like the most mature dancer left in the show. When reflecting on his time on SYTYCD, he said, “Whether I get voted off right now and leave or I win the whole thing, it doesn’t matter because what I’m going to take with me is the inspiration to keep going.” A very grounded statement for a 20-year-old getting his first scuff (just some tap humor for y’all) of fame. And I hope he means it, as Wednesday night will be where he is either crowned the champion or a runner-up. Either way, it’s been a pretty good run.

Image: Adam Rose/Fox

111