‘So You Think You Can Dance’ recap: ‘Top 8 Perform,’ but which 6 advanced to the next round? [UPDATING LIVE BLOG]

“So You Think You Can Dance” knocked out tapper Eddie Hoyt and ballroom dancer Stephanie Sosa last week in the first live eliminations of season 16. That left eight contestants in the competition, so which of them survived “Top 8 Perform” night, and which two were ousted? Find out below in our live blog with all the minute-by-minute developments as they happen.

When America’s votes were counted Eddie and Stephanie landed among the bottom two men and bottom two women with Ezra Sosa and Anna Linstruth, respectively. It was the judges who decided to keep Ezra and Anna in the competition (our readers were not too pleased with the choice to get rid of Stephanie), but if the viewing audience didn’t connect with those two surviving dancers before, was this week any different? Ezra was praised for his jazz routine the night he was saved from the chopping block, while Anna got somewhat mixed reviews for her hip-hop performance.

The other six contestants got enough votes last week to advance safely to the next round: Ezra’s partner Madison Jordan, Anna’s partner Benjamin Castro, Eddie’s partner Sophie Pittman, Stephanie’s partner Gino Cosculluela, Bailey Munoz and Mariah Russell. That means Bailey and Mariah were the only duo to have both members make it safely through to tonight’s “Top 8” round, and after a hip-hop number on last week’s show that prompted the judges to call them the couple to beat, everybody else may just be playing catch-up as the field is further winnowed down.

So who do you think gave the best (and worst) performances of the night? And do you think the judges made the right decisions about this week’s eliminations? Follow along below starting at 8:00pm (times listed are Eastern).

Benjamin Castro and Anna Linstruth #1

8:05pm — These two are getting the night started with a Polynesian routine choreographed by Tiana Liufau. “I really don’t want to go through this process without you,” said Benjamin about Anna’s close brush with elimination last week. But we’ve got lots of performances to look forward to since tonight is the first two-hour live show of the season.

8:08pm — I’m not sure how comfortable this style of dance felt on these two dancers. I think Benjmain sold it better, but Anna looked a little out of place up there. Nigel Lythgoe didn’t feel the dancers were into the character of the dance; Anna seemed a little “showgirly.” But Mary Murphy thought it was “crazy! I loved it!” However, Mary has a lot of technical notes for Anna; that’s the second time Mary praised Anna only to point out a dozen technical mistakes she made. Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval thought Anna and Benjamin both had great hip action. Laurieann Gibson thought Benjamin was in it to win it, and Anna was committed.

Sophie Pittman Solo

8:13pm — The first solo of the night, and there are five contemporary dancers, so they’re really going to go all out to stand out. I thought Sophie delivered a solid individual routine, though I think we’ll see bigger, more emotional routines from at least a couple of her rivals.

Madison Jordan and Ezra Sosa #1

8:18pm — Ezra had a tough week watching his sister Stephanie get eliminated. But they’re getting a lighthearted hip-hop routine in space choreographed by Randi and Hef. It’s Madison’s first hip-hop routine in the live shows, and the hardest she’s been pushed out of her comfort zone so far. Fingers crossed!

8:21pm — Madison did a solid job with the steps, though I didn’t quite feel the attitude from her I would have liked. Ezra fared better, though not a showstopper. Mary thought they got into it towards the end, but she wasn’t feeling the whole routine. D-Trix thinks Madison is an “amazing” hip-hop dancer and she stood out more than Ezra did. Laurieann disagrees with the criticisms of her fellow judges: she loved it, and they “killed it.” And Nigel thought they performed “brilliantly.”

Gino Cosculluela Solo

8:24pm — Fantastic, hard-hitting, emotional solo routine. Lots of great technique that showed why Nigel called him the season’s best technical dancer during the Academy rounds.

Mariah Russell and Bailey Munoz #1

8:30pm — A lot to live up to after last week’s superb hip-hop duet. “We just have to keep kicking up the notch,” says Bailey. Dmitry Chaplin is choreographing a cha cha for them and wants a “Moulin Rouge” burlesque feel, and Bailey is having some trouble with the lifts. Heaven help poor Mariah!

8:33pm — You could feel the strain of this routine more than Mariah and Bailey’s previous performances. Definitely not their best work, but a valiant effort. D-Trix could see the struggle too, but he thought it was “adorable” anyway, and Mariah is still a “star.” Laurieann appreciates that he doesn’t see a b-boy and a contemporary dancer, she sees a dancer. Nigel thinks this was the first time Bailey looked uncomfortable, but the audience “loves you to death” and Mariah executes everything “brilliantly.” Mary thought some flaws in their technique were exposed by this routine, but Mariah looked like a “stunning princess warrior,” and they still love the duo even if it was a flawed performance.

Madison Jordan Solo

8:37pm — Good performance, the extensions of her legs looked utterly beautiful, though she looked kind of smiley at moments, which felt somewhat disconnected with the music (“Cellophane” by FKA Twigs).

Ezra Sosa Solo

8:41pm — He had me as soon as I heart Gloria Estefan’s “Conga” come on. He really needed that bright, fun, energetic, charismatic performance after the hip-hop routine that I thought was just so-so. A delight, and the judges gave a standing ovation

Gino Cosculluela and Sophie Pittman #1

8:43pm — Their partners were eliminated last week, so they’re at a disadvantage having to build a brand new partnership. But they’re contemporary dancers performing a contemporary dance choreographed by KC Monnie, so I’d say that makes up for the partnership disadvantage. The routine is inspired by Monnie’s experience of coming out of the closet, and Gino will be playing Monnie in the routine.

8:46pm — A lovely, touching routine, which ended with a judges’ standing ovation and tears from KC Monnie in the audience. Laurieann is “proud” of the choreographer, and thought the pairing of the two dancers is “magical.” Nigel also thinks the chemistry was “magnificent,” and he also takes a moment to compliment their solos from earlier in the evening. Nigel also takes a moment to call out “Good Morning America” anchor Lara Spencer for laughing at boys who dance. Mary thought the piece was “memorable” and will be remembered at the end of the season. D-Trix thought it was “well done” and gives them his sympathy for the fact that they both “lost a partner,” which makes it sounds like Eddie and Stephanie died last week. I hope that’s not what happens when you get eliminated on this show. Does anybody know their whereabouts?

Mariah Russell Solo

8:50pm — Lovely work to Emeli Sande‘s “Somebody” from the young woman who seems to be becoming the “star” of the season.

Benjamin Castro and Anna Linstruth #2

8:54pm — Al Blackstone choreographs a Broadway routine who this duo, which yet another major change of pace for them. After their difficult Tahitian routine, though, this may be child’s play for them, though.

8:57pm — I think this was one of Anna’s best performances. They were both lovely and natural with great chemistry. Nigel thought it was “beautiful and gentle” and hopes that it resonates with viewers. Mary thought it was “played just right … You transported me to a whole other era.” D-Trix’s “breath was taken away” by their quality of movement. And Laurieann thought “feeling is everything” and “that was amazing.”

Madison Jordan and Ezra Sosa #2

9:00pm — Miriam and Leonardo are choreographing an Argentine tango, and after Ezra’s solo I’m really looking forward to this one. Ezra is a ballroom specialist, and I think this is a new style Madison could really thrive in. But Ezra admits that even though he’s a ballroom dancer, Argentine tango isn’t his forte.

9:02pm — Argentine tango is one of my favorite styles of dance, and I thought their routine was quite good, intense, fierce. I liked Madison in this style a lot more than on hip-hop. Mary acknowledged the difficulty of the choreography, but they performed it “beautifully”; Madison’s leg lines and feet were especially strong, and Ezra was a “perfect partner.” D-Trix thought Ezra was “wow amazing.” Laurieann calls it “intense,” “cinematic” and “amazing.” Nigel thought Madison’s demeanor and strength served her well and Ezra was a “perfect partner,” just like Mary said.

Benjamin Castro Solo

9:06pm — Dancing to “Run Boy Run” wasn’t an intuitive choice for a contemporary dance, but I think that’s why I liked it so much. It was hard-hitting, fast-paced, and kinda mesmerizing. One of my favorite solos of the night for sure.

Anna Linstruth Solo

9:11pm — That was a tight, excellent routine with great musicality. It was great to see Anna in her comfort zone. She had such great, precise movements.

Mariah Russell and Bailey Munoz #2

9:12pm — Mandy and Elizabeth choreograph a contemporary number for these two, which means Mariah is performing in her signature style. And they’ve got a big prop: they’re dancing on the side of a roof.

9:15pm — For a b-boy, Bailey seems completely at home in contemporary. That was a lovely routine, and Bailey matched Mariah every step of the way. Definitely a step up from their ballroom routine at the beginning of the night. D-Trix thinks it was one of his favorite routines he’s seen in the history of the show. Laurieann thinks Bailey is a “nice young man” and needs to stay focused and humble, while she thought Mariah was holding back. Nigel appreciated that the prop didn’t overwhelm the dance routine, and he still thinks they’re the couple to beat. Mary wants them to be partners for the rest of their lives; Mariah was “perfection” and Bailey was “at home.”

Gino Cosculluela and Sophie Pittman #2

9:23pm — Jonathan Redavid choreographs a jazz routine for this duo in which they’re on a first date, but Sophie is secretly a thief. Jonathan already feels strong chemistry between the two of them, though Gino has some trouble with props: he keeps dropping his hat in rehearsals.

9:25pm — A fun routine, if a little hectic in spots. It didn’t look at Gino ever got quite comfortable with that hat, but it was full of energy and personality and got a standing ovation from the judges. Laurieann thought it was “soulful” and that Gino and Sophie are the new couple to beat. Nigel agrees that they’re giving Bailey and Mariah a run for their money. And Mary calls the Hot Tamale Train — all aboard! “You guys are a threat to be reckoned with. D-Trix thinks their two best performances have both been tonight. I don’t quite agree with that. I think Gino’s best work so far was his jive last week with Stephanie.

Bailey Munoz Solo

9:29pm — That routine contained more moves in a few seconds than most 10-minute routines. Probably my favorite solo of the night, putting all of Bailey’s technique and personality on display.

Madison, Mariah, Benjamin and Gino Group Routine

9:35pm — Talia Favia choreographed a routine for four of the show’s contemporary dancers to “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish. Mary thought it was “powerful, strong, tough … That was kind of everything.” D-Trix is mesmerized by the abs, so Gino helpfully covers his. He liked the dancing too. Laurieann was “blown away” because she saw in this routine “four dancers I want to hire.” I thought it was an excellent routine too, funkier than I’d normally expect for a contemporary number. Felt like a lit of hip-hop inflection in that.

RESULTS — Gino is safe, but that means Benjamin is in danger! Meanwhile, Mariah is safe while Madison is in danger. I didn’t see that one coming. I thought the bottom two would be Sophie and Anna, but now I’m guessing Sophie is safe and Anna will ultimately be eliminated. But the judges surprised me last week, so we’ll see.

Anna, Sophie, Bailey and Ezra Group Routine

9:44pm — A contemporary dancer, a ballroom dancer and two hip-hop dancers doing African jazz by choreographer Sean Cheesman. On paper, this group has a much tougher job than the contemporary-palooza from before, but I thought they handled it expertly. And the judges gave a standing ovation. I thought this was the stronger of the two group numbers.

9:46pm — Mary thought it was “amazing” and the dancers have all taken it up another notch: “Every single one of you was brilliant.” D-Trix praises them all for learning and executing five dances each in six days. Laurieann thought it was “absolutely phenomenal” and could feel all the dancers’ effort and commitment. Nigel loved the performance too, and took a moment to rave about how good Bailey’s solo was — amen!

RESULTS — Ezra is in danger, which means Bailey is safe. No surprise there. Sophie is safe, and Anna is in danger. No surprise there either. I think Anna might be toast, but I’m not sure whether the judges will decide to keep Ezra or Benjamin on the men’s side. I suspect they’ll save Ezra, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes the other way.

Final Results

9:53pm — Nigel warns the dancers who are staying that they need to figure out how to connect to fans voting from home. But the judges are unanimous about tonight’s decisions: Ezra is staying, which means Benjamin is out. For the women, Madison is staying and Anna is going. So that means both members of one couple have been eliminated, while both members of the other couple have been saved. Meanwhile, the other two couples — Gino and Sophie, Bailey and Mariah — have never been at the bottom, so I suspect those are going to be the final four.

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