By Michael Starr
The New York Post
5/25/2010
Paula Abdul’s TV’s exile has ended.
The former “American Idol” judge will host a new talent show on CBS called “Got To Dance,” based on a UK hit and set for a midseason launch next year.
That means Abdul will be competing directly against “Idol” — which Fox still hasn’t renewed for next season.
It also leaves open the possibility that she could reunite with “Idol” pal Simon Cowell later next year on “The X Factor,” the American version of his British hit launching on Fox in September 2011.
Cowell has made no secret of his desire to work with Abdul again, and told Oprah Winfrey last week he attributes part of “Idol’s” ratings dropoff this season to Abdul’s departure.
Both CBS execs and Abdul’s camp were tight-lipped yesterday about whether her “Got To Dance” deal would allow her to work with Cowell.
Abdul, who reportedly turned down ABC’s offer to appear on “Dancing With the Stars” this season, will executive-produce “Got To Dance,” in addition to being a “creative partner, mentor, coach and lead judge” of the show, according to CBS.
“Dance,” which premiered earlier this year to big numbers on Britain’s Sky 1 (a pay TV channel), is a competition show in which dancers of all ages and styles compete.
“I’ve spent the better part of my life teaching, mentoring, nurturing — working with so many talented people — and I consider myself truly blessed to be able to continue to do something that I hold so dear to my heart,” Abdul said in a statement yesterday.
Saturday night, Pussycat Dolls Creator Robin Antin tweeted this photo revealing the new members of the Pussycat Dolls:
From left: Kherington Payne, Vanessa Curry, Nicole Scherzinger, Jamie Ruiz, and Rino Nakasone-Razalan
You may recognize some (or all) of these names:
Kherington was a finalist in season four of So You Think You Can Dance (2008)
Vanessa was a Los Angeles Laker Girl. (2007-08)
Jamie was a Miami Heat Dancer. (2003-08) She was also a contestant in Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious. Although she was eliminated halfway through the competition, I guess you could say she ultimately won, hey?
Rino was a member of “Beat Freaks” the team that finished second place in season 3 of America’s Best Dance Crew (2009). She was also appeared alongside Gwen Stefani as one of her Harajuki Girls (2004-05)
Vanessa and Jamie
Before Vanessa and Jamie, two other NBA Dancers who were once part of the PCD. Or maybe, just one, depending on how you look at it. Jessica Sutta, one of the original members of the 6-girl group was a Miami Heat Dancer from 1999 through 2002. The other NBA alum is Asia Nitollano. Asia, winner of the CW’s project Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll was a New York Knicks City Dancer for two years (2006-07, 2009-10). I count her as “half” because although she won the show, she only appeared with the group a couple of times, never touring or recording with the PCD. In fact, last year, she auditioned for the Knicks, rejoined the team, and is a member of the current squad.
Jessica and Asia
NBC Miami: Dolphins cheerleaders are as Miami as sun, sand, and random gunfire. The squad began with the team in 1966, making the upcoming season their 45th. From Dolphins Dolls with child sidekicks to Starbrites to Cheerleaders, whatever the name, the Dolphins’ biggest supporters have been the best and bright-smilingest South Florida has to offer. [Click here for slide show]
34 make final cut from a group of nearly 300
NewOrleansSaints.com
May 7, 2010
When the doors opened for Saintsation auditions on April 10th, nearly 300 hopefuls came ready to compete for a spot on the 2010 team. Earlier in the week, several more came to the workshops. Why? To earn a chance to cheer on the sidelines for the Super Bowl Champions, the New Orleans Saints.
“I used to be a Junior Saintsation and I always dreamed of one day becoming a member of the New Orleans Saintsations. I’m here to make my dream come true”, future team member Kristen G. said excitedly as she entered the room.
Immediately upon entering the facility, the candidates put their best foot forward as they took part in their first photo shoot. After choreographer Blair Buras led the group through a quick paced routine, the judges were ready to begin the selection process. Within hours, the group had narrowed to 80. By the end of the day approximately 60 girls advanced to the semi-finals.
At the semi-final round, candidates dressed in business attire to meet with New Orleans area business professionals. The girls needed to impress this panel of judges with their intelligence, professionalism, wit and marketing skills. For twenty minutes, the candidates were interviewed by the panel of judges. After the interview, came the football test. Candidates were required to know all NFL teams, their divisions, cities and mascots. Additional questions revolved around Saints history, football fundamentals and of course key plays in the Super Bowl. “We love football. As a team, we get into the game just as much as our fans. We know the ref calls and truly understand the game.” states NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleader Amanda T. “If you want to be a cheerleader for this team, you’ve got to know football through and through.” One of the key questions on the test: Give the score for the Super Bowl and detail each point made by name of the player, his number and his position on the team.
The final round of competition brought forth a new panel of judges. They had the arduous task of narrowing the field down to 34. Deliberations went until 11:00pm. “The competition was very tough. Some girls had prepared for four months to audition for a spot on the team. All the girls were in great shape, beautiful, talented and smart. It was a very hard decision,” stated one judge.
The 2010 team roster was posted on Friday, April 16th. Their first meeting was held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, the presenting sponsor for the 2010 Saintsations. General Manager Al Groos was the first to welcome the girls to the team. After their first official photo shoot, the team immediately began preparations for the 2010 season. Until the season starts, team members will be making numerous public appearances, rehearsing, shooting their 2011 Swimsuit calendar and leaving for their team retreat!
Look for the 2010 Saintsations when they make their team debut at the first home game, Saturday August 21 vs the Houston Texans.
Write this down: July 23-24th.
Circle it in magic marker and and put a smiley face next to it
You’re going to Vegas, baby!
Get ready for Pro Action Dance [click for website]. I’m talking Mina and Marina Ortega, John Peters, Shandon Koleberg, Andy Vaca and Tony Gonzales. And that’s just a few of the kick-ass choreographers who will break it down for you that weekend:
This summer we are proud to announce the creation of Pro Action Dance, started to train professional sports dancers at the highest level. Our focus is you and your team — we will guarantee that our choreographers will teach material that will take you right to the sidelines or court. No fluff, no lectures, just routines you and your fans will love.
Our first Pro Action Dance Intensive will be held July 23-24 in Las Vegas, NV. While the location has not yet been finalized, we wanted to get you the date so you can save it on your calendar.
The curriculum will include ready to perform material from all genres: jazz, hip hop, novelty, and prop routines will all be offered. Sideline routines appropriate for any type of music will also be available. Each day will also include warm up and technique class.
Our choreographers will be familiar faces who have created material for pro teams throughout the world including NFL, NBA, NCAA, MLS, CFL, and many other professional organizations. Routines will be taught to be game-ready, including professionally cut music and formation charting. DVDs of the routines will be available on the last day (complimentary with minimum team enrollment).
For enrollment information or questions please contact Pro Action at info@proactiondance.com. We look forward to getting your team into the ACTION at Pro Action Dance!
It’s a weekend in Lost Wages. Bring your teammates, bring your girlfriends, or heck, come by yourself and make friends when you get there. You’ll dance all day Friday and all day Saturday. How you spend the rest of the weekend is up to you. Get a massage, try your hand with Lady Luck, or take in a show. (I do not recommend the Celine Dion/Cirque du Soleil thing, however. Kathy Griffin says that show makes no sense and I believe her.)
But I still want to know – who made the squad?
Come on Charlotte, cough up some names!
Click here for photos from the Cincinnati Enquirer
Click here for photos from photographer Anthony Mosley
Bengals.com has lots of new photos of last weekend’s Ben-Gal final audition. I must say, over the past couple of years, the Bengals have really been putting a lot of time, thought, and effort into showcasing the cheerleaders. The audition photos do a great job of showing the talent, style, and beauty of the candidates in the running. Click here to see them.
The only question now is…who made the team?
Our buddy Albert in Texas always sends us great photos of the dance teams in his neck of the woods. This week, he got some great coverage of the San Antonio Roses, one of our favorite independent pro sports dance teams. He caught up with the team during one of their gigs as the San Antonio Warriors Cheerleaders on May 8th. The SA Warriors are part of the MPFL (Minor Professional Football League) and their cheerleaders perform at home games and make numerous appearances in San Antonio and the surrounding counties.
Albert used to send us just a handful of photos, but he’s got so many great ones, how do you pick which ones to show here? The answer is: we don’t. Why impose a limit? Just click here and go see all of them 🙂 Thanks, Albert!
(Dallas Observer:) The most recognized cheerleaders in the league are for America’s Team (they also won the USO “Spirit of Hope Award in 1991), so the question is: do (did) have what it takes to cheer for the Cowboys? On May 15th at Cowboys Stadium, the nationwide search began for the new 2010 squad. They began with “freestyle” dance moves, participating in groups. Judges selected the best for call-backs, and the best ones moved to a semi-final / personal interview round. PHOTOS BY DANNY HURLEY
