Interviews with Eliminated So You Think You Can Dance Contestants

Last week So You Think You Can Dance received 8 million votes, but unfortunately, not enough of them were for Dmitry or Martha, sending them home, and ending their chances at becoming America's Number One dancer. Sometimes for the dancers, their demise on the show is expected, while other times it's not.

Martha woke up last Wednesday morning with a gut instinct that it was just not her day. In fact, she ended up having a very off day when it came to her dancing. Dmitry, on the other hand, had been happy with his performance. When it was down to him and Ivan as to whom would enter the bottom two males, he didn't know what would happen. He pointed out that although the judges gave him more compliments than Ivan, he knew it was no longer about what they thought, but that it was America who was deciding his fate.

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Competing on a dance show in front of millions of people is a once in a lifetime experience. Dmitry compared it to a fairy tale. Martha, for one of the first times in the competition, showed hints that she really is only 19, by referencing a teen cultural hit. Being on So You Think You Can Dance "is like [MTV's] The Real World. Being thrown into an apartment with 19 people you just met only two months prior, and all of a sudden you're living with them."

One thing I never understand, in regards to this show or shows like it, is how the contestants do their final performance, after they have found out they have been eliminated. Martha says that it's a bittersweet moment. She was sad to be leaving the show and the other contestants, but happy to finally go home back to reality, and a life of a lot less stress. According to Dmitry, "It's really hard... When they tell you that you are eliminated, your heard kind of stops for a minute, and you can't breathe, and then they expect you to dance."

Now, for something that can't be dismissed when talking about Dmitry... his shirt, or lack thereof. Dmitry was known for taking off his shirt, exposing his near perfect body, to impress the ladies. However, as Dmitry explains, it wasn't because "I want to strip and take my shirt off." Yes, he did want to thrill the women, but there was more to his skin exposure than just that. For one, Dmitry wanted to be different than the other contestants so that he would be remembered, which he definitely accomplished. However, to Dmitry, there was a more important reason: comfort. Dmitry explained to me that in ballroom competitions, the costumes are very open. It's how he is used to competing. He wasn't trying to be sexy, he was trying to be comfortable. Dancing in front of millions of people puts a lot of stress on a person, and he didn't want his clothing to distract him further. "I've never danced closed [shirted] in my life. It would probably take some attention from my steps because it would feel a little different... I didn't want to think about my costume." Dmitry also admitted that the open shirt created the illusion of more movement around his body, so it looked like he was moving more than he actually was.

Are the So You Think You Can Dance contestants famous after they are on the show? Dmitry said he is told he's a celebrity by people all the time, but he doesn't think he is. "For me, I was just on the show, and it's just kind of weird to hear that. I'm still the same person. I haven't changed." He plans to move to Los Angeles, which will mean he'll have to take some time to find a new partner. And, while he says that dancing is still his life, he always wants to try something new, meaning he won't be turning down the modeling and acting gigs he's been offered. Martha is thinking about postponing school or going back part-time in order to further pursue her dancing. She would also be interested in modeling and acting, and "all that jazz. No pun intended." Martha is definitely enjoying being in the limelight. "It's pretty fun... I don't have any stalkers yet, but that could come soon." Martha laughed, adding "Just kidding." Let's hope so!