So Katie Holmes can sing (a little) and dance (a little). But should her “Get Happy” homage to Judy Garland on “So You Think You Can Dance” have been so hyped by the producers for weeks before it was actually screened (pre-taped) on Thursday’s show?
Holmes looked stunning in the black tights, fedora hat and black jacket costume she donned for her song and dance routine intended to publicize the Dizzy Feeet Foundation, which funds dance lessons for kids, and the 100th show milestone for the TV dance series.
But her performance left many reviewers — who had been led to believe it was going to be a showstopper by a celebrity not known for her dancing or singing — a little underwhelmed.
Olivia Smith with the New York Daily News said Katie’s routine was “more like so you think you can strut around the stage and strike a few poses.” Wall Street Journal blogger Tracy Watson called it “quite respectable but nothing spectacular.”
SYTYCD producer Nigel Lythgoe took to Twitter to defend Katie from some of the more barbed comments — particularly the lip-synching and the fact the performance was not live. (Holmes is apparently filming in Australia and shot the routine weeks ago).
“Why hate on Katie? She’s had no dance training and did this for publicity for the charity. Everyone lip synchs when they’re dancing. MJ too”
Lythgoe tweeted. “I’m trying to figure out why Katie is being judged as a dancer. When a star throws out the opening pitch no-one says “ooh crap pitcher!”"
Maybe because SYTYCD IS a dance show and the standards are so high, both in terms of contestants and choreographers, the audience just expected something better.
Is it fair to judge Katie Holmes by those same standards?
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The “performance” was kind of like the videos my 14 yr old makes..you know, when they think they are talented. Actually, my teen is more talented! Reminds me of the Gilda Radner routine on SNL where she wore pj bottoms for long, flowing hair.
- Posted by barbIt’s nice that Ms. Holmes wanted to lend her celebrity to this cause. However, it seems to be her only possession, as she lent neither credible singing nor dancing to the performance. There are myriad celebrities she could have phoned to lend their support. Instead this was a lazy PR stunt to boost her dwindling career with yet another confusing choice. To submit sub-par trifle on this show, in which amazingly talented unknowns are breaking barriers each week, is insulting and wasteful.
Perhaps I am expecting too much. After all, Ms. Holmes is a relatively new mother, married to a famous actor who steals the spotlight, and, while known for her film work, not generally associated with being a theatrical triple threat. Singing, dancing, acting all at once, very difficult. Surely, no one could do better in those circumstances.
Oh. Wait. Catherine Zeta-Jones.
- Posted by Seth DuerrMy wife and I love this show and normally wouldn’t say anything negative about it. I also admire what they are trying to accomplish with the Dizzy Feet Foundation but this thing with Katie Holmes was pathetic. I blame Nigel himself for promoting this performance practically as the next Coming. He seriously put the expectations way beyond Katie’s ability to deliver. What’s worse, they had already taped it so everyone should have been aware of just how mediocre it was while they were hyping it. Sad really.
- Posted by TravisI’m just surprised Tom Cruise let her out of the house to go dancing!
- Posted by Surprised in NYFor all the hype prior to the performance, this was extremely underwhelming and uncomfortable to watch. Did she dance? No. Did she sing? Barely. I laughed out loud when Cat called her a major film star. Katie Homes had a great start in her career, but meeting and marrying Tom Cruise killed it. And hello?! Singing and dancing at the same time without lip syncing is called Broadway!
- Posted by TaylorTo Geri, you state, “All dancers have to pre-record as you cannot do both together. Educate yourself prior to leaving negative comments.”
Um, have you ever heard of live theater - you know, like on Broadway, or heck, in a middle school?
- Posted by LindaI thought I was watching Britney on MTV Awards (2007).
- Posted by Sam