The Qualifiers continue this week on NBC’s World of Dance as Derek, J Lo, and Ne-Yo work to pick the best, most competitive dancers out of this season’s contestants. Last night we saw seven more acts who put everything they had into their performances.

The Upper Division

First to take the stage last night was ballroom dance couple DNA. After a messy performance last season, this couple came back with all of the power they had originally intended to bring to the stage. The judges were impressed with the improvements both these dancers made in order to come back better than ever. This reflected in their average score of 87.7 which, of course, sends them on to The Duels.

Next in the Upper Division was a group that Derek called “hip hop vaudeville,” and all we can say is that ST Kingz trio of entertainers from Tokyo, Japan were hilarious showmen. The judges didn’t think they brought enough dance into their performance, though, and a low average score of 79 sent them home.

The last upper duo to try their luck on stage toured with Derek, so to say they were nervous about being judged by him is an understatement. They didn’t let their nerves get the better of them, though. Their contemporary performance was dynamic and romantic. The judges were excited about their unique moves and their chemistry as partners and awarded them an average score of 85. They’ll get to impress Derek even more later in the competition.

The Upper Team Division

 

So far this season, we have seen several performances that incorporate story, but none have been quite so focused on Story as Canadian hip hop group Brotherhood. Their performance was like something out of a Canadian version of High School Musical. The judges thought that Brotherhood was missing that extra wow-factor that could carry them successfully through the competition, but a low average score of 80.3 was enough to send them forward. Hopefully, they’ll take the judges’ advice seriously and up their game in the next round.

The Junior Division

Vivian Ruiz came to World of Dance to compete, but she also took the stage to tell a story of heartbreak. After an emotional contemporary performance, the judges gave her their advice on love and an average score of 83. Now, we’ll just have to wait until the next round to see what other stories she has to tell.

The Junior Team Division

Another familiar face to return this season is D’Angelo. Last time he came to World of dance, he performed with his partner Amanda. This time, he’s taking on the competition with a ballroom group called The Untouchables. An average score of 88.7 was no surprise after their incredible shaking and shimmying.

Their name might give you rock and roll vibes, but The Rock Company, a contemporary team from Las Vegas, brought nothing but grace to the stage. The last performance of the night, they left the stage as the highest scoring Junior team in the competition with an average of 96.7. Whoever goes up against them in The Duels will have their work cut out for them.

With at least two more weeks of Qualifiers, picking our favorite contestants this season will be difficult. But, how can we complain about picking from some of the best of the best?

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Veronica Good has been with Showstopper Magazine since 2016. When she isn't keeping you updated on the latest trends, she is at home with her many pets or probably playing The Sims 4. Veronica has a BA in English and an MA in writing from Coastal Carolina University. She is also a writer of fiction and poetry, and her work can be found in Archarios, Tempo, and Scapegoat.