This morning I had the pleasure of chatting with Asuka Kondoh, the latest dancer to be eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance.

Asuka was a pre-season favorite, especially with head judge Nigel Lythgoe, who could not get enough of the sexy Latin Ballroom dancer. Unfortunately, Asuka seemed to peak during the audition process, during her three weeks on the show she danced for her life twice. But don't feel too sorry for Asuka, during her short time on So You Think You Can Dance she worked with one of her ballroom idols, Louis Van Amstel, on a routine that had Mary Murphy in tears.

Asuka and I chatted about her emotional waltz with Vitolio, what it feels like to make Mary Murphy cry, your Twitter questions, and her advice for Karla now that she's dancing with Vitolio. Vitolio, apparently, is one very sweaty dude.


Listen to my entire interview with Asuka:




Here are some of the highlights of our interview:


On why her waltz with Vitolio was her favorite dance: "It was just a very emotional experience, and that probably helped, it wasn't just about the steps."

On working with Ballroom Icon, Louis Van Amstel: "I've never worked with him, but I've known him, of course he never knew me, but everyone knows him in the ballroom world. I'm so happy I got the chance on this show, otherwise I don't think I would have."

On the choreographer's she wishes she could have worked with: "All of Em. I mean everyone would die for a Mia Michaels routine."

On the difficulty of doing a ballroom solo: "I mean, it's hard, I think because if we do have to dance for our life. It's harder to showcase what we do by ourselves. Because everything in Latin Ballroom is with a partner. So 90% of what we do, we cannot showcase. Which sucks, that all. "

On Nigel's crush: "I thought it was flattering. Anything good the judges say I take to heart. And the more they like me the better. I'm glad I made that impression on him, at least he wasn't saying anything bad about me."

Her advice for Karla on working with Vitolio: "I would probably have to tell her, be prepared for the sweat. Because, oh boy. He will shower on her."


--Abbey Simmons, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)