Same-Sex Ballroom Champions Featured on Tonight’s So You Think You Can Dance
September 16, 2009
After getting into hot water with GLAAD over comments made when a same-sex ballroom couple was featured in season five, Fox’s So you Think You Can Dance takes another stab at featuring a same-sex pair tonight and the results are a significant improvement.During the season five audition rounds in May, head judge and producer Nigel Lythgoe gave harsh critique to same-sex ballroom couple Misha Belfer and Mitchell Kiber that focused more on their sexual orientations than on their talent. Additionally, the editing of the episode was problematic: Misha and Mitchell were shown leaving while James Brown was heard singing “This is a man’s world, but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl.” GLAAD issued a call to action after the episode aired and Lythgoe subsequently issued an apology.
Jacob Jason (l.) and Willem De Vries (r.)
Tonight, same-sex ballroom champions Jacob Jason and Willem De Vries audtion with vastly improved results. In their intro package, Jacob and Willem state that they wanted to audition for SYTYCD despite what happened to Misha and Mitchell to show that there is “a world of same-sex dancers.”
Jacob and Willem run the Balliamos Dance Studio in West Hollywood, CA and were just featured on Daniel Leary’s “Mores for Gays” video blog for AfterElton.com this past Monday.
(from left) Judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Mia Michaels
During tonight’s performance Jacob and Willem performed a beautiful routine so genuine it moved Mia Michaels to tears. Michaels and Murphy praised their technique and the emotion that they conveyed. Lythgoe got the last word and said “thank you for showing me that same-sex ballroom dancing can be very strong and very good.” We are pleased with the overall tone of the comments and that Lythgoe and the judges responded favorably to GLAAD’s outreach. This outreach will affect how millions of everyday Americans will experience the show. The judges advanced the pair to the choreography round. Tune in tonight to see if they make it to the Vegas semi-finals!
In related news, EW.com reported this morning that openly gay director and choreographer Adam Shankman will be joining SYTYCD as a permanent judge beginning with the Top 20 performance show on October 27. GLAAD applauds So You Think You Can Dance and Fox for adding Shankman to the panel and for giving these openly gay dancers the respect and equal consideration they deserve. We look forward to following the show through its sixth season!
Related Posts:CALL TO ACTION UPDATE: So You Think You Can Dance Judge Nigel Lythgoe Issues Apology
May 23, 2009
On May 22, GLAAD released a Call to Action in response to remarks made the night before by judge Nigel Lythgoe on the popular reality competition show So You Think You Can Dance. Today, GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano and Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson spoke with Mr. Lythgoe. He expressed his apology over his misuse of words and released this official statement:
Nigel Lythgoe
“I sincerely regret the fact that I have upset people with the poor word choices and comments I made both during the taping of the ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ audition and on my personal status update. I am not homophobic and it was extremely upsetting for me to be classed as such.
I have been forthright and consistent with my opinion, as a judge, that professional male dancers should move with strength and agility — like Gene Kelly and Rudolph Nureyev. I now realize how this could be misconstrued.
I have been a dancer, and involved in the dance world, for nearly 50 years. Professionally and personally, I believe the sexual orientation of an auditioner or contestant is irrelevant. All that said, the fact that I have unintentionally upset people is distressing to me and it is obvious I have made mistakes that I must learn from. I trust that my humor will be more sensitive and mindful moving forward.”
-Nigel Lythgoe, judge and executive producer, So You Think You Can Dance
“We certainly appreciate the dialogue, and the opportunity for Nigel to help further educate people about how words and images matter,” said Giuliano. “His sincere words are appreciated, and we look forward to words, images and representations of the LGBT community on So You Think You Can Dance that will be fair, accurate and inclusive in the future.”
CALL TO ACTION: Fox Entertainment and So You Think You Can Dance Judge Need to Apologize for Homophobic Remarks
May 22, 2009
GLAAD just issued a call to action, asking supporters to contact Fox Entertainment and call on So You Think You Can Dance judge Nigel Lythgoe to apologize for his snide, homophobic remarks during last night’s program.
From our call to action:
During the telecast, Lythgoe said: “I think you probably alienate a lot of our audience. I mean, we’ve always had the guys dance together on the show, but I’ve — they’ve never really done it in each other’s arms before.” Shortly thereafter, he added, “Do you know what? I’d like to see you both dancing with a girl.”
Lythgoe later wrote on Twitter: “The same sex ballroom guys did remind me of ‘Blades of Glory.’ However, I’m not a fan of ‘Brokeback’ Ballroom.”
You can watch for yourself below:
Judge Nigel Lythgoe
Neil G. Giuliano, President of GLAAD had this to say about Lythgoe’s remarks:
It’s unacceptable for this kind of blatant homophobia to occur. Fox Entertainment and Nigel Lythgoe owe Misha, Mitchel and the whole LGBT community an apology.
After contacting Fox, a representative at So You Think You Can Dance told GLAAD they are passing along our concerns and will get back with us.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW!
Contact Fox Entertainment. Call on them to listen to and discuss our community’s concerns — and call on Nigel Lythgoe to apologize for his snide, homophobic remarks.
Jason Clark
Vice President, Fox Publicity
Jason.clark@fox.com
