Melissa Sandvig, the so called Naughty Ballerina, provided a number of monumental firsts during this season of So You Think You Can Dance. Melissa was the first ballerina to get beyond the first few weeks, at 29 she was the oldest contestant to have taken the So You Think You Can Dance stage, and she graced us with a text book classical pas de deux, the first ever performed on the show.

While Melissa sold herself short at the beginning of the competition, describing herself as "only a ballerina," she proved to be adept at every style thrown at her throughout her time on So You Think You Can Dance. Whether it was a sexy rumba or a joyful Broadway hippie dance, Melissa brought incredible beauty, dedication, and technique to the stage.


This morning I had a chance to chat with Melissa about her time on So You Think You Can Dance, where she carried herself with the same grace and class that marked her time on the show. We chatted about her thoughts on the two girls who will be dancing in the finals, her partnership with Ade, and her advice for fellow ballerinas.

On Dancing Outside of her 'Comfort Zone':

Every style was out of my comfort zone. A lot of the ballroom was really challenging, just to learn a completely different technique. The jazz I did with Sonya was really hard -- I've never rolled on the floor and jumped and fallen so many times. And then the contemporary movement with Mandy Moore, just to move my body differently was a challenge. As for Tyce's piece, "A Woman's Work" it was so much more of an acting piece and an emotional piece, that I really connected with that. And the response Ade and I got was amazing. It was one of the high points of this whole process.

On the Style She Feared The Most, but Ultimately Avoided:

I feared hip hop, and I took classes right before the competition went underway just in case -- but as the competition was going, I kind of wanted hip hop just to prove that I could do it. Once we did it in the group number with Tabitha and Napoleon, they kind of gave me confidence and that I was capable. I was actually hoping for hip hop. But I never got it, it was so funny.

On Turning the Idea of a Ballerina on it's Head during So You Think You Can Dance:

I tried to. I've been in this ballet world for so long. And we always kind of do what your told and put on a smile and make everything look easy. It was really fun to throw that away and put in little bit more personality and put a little sass in it. And just not be scared to try some new things, that's how I've been for a long time. It's pretty amazing to see what you can do when you step out of your comfort zone.

On the Benefits of Ballet:

Well I think with ballet it requires the most discipline, every movement is so precise and they're not really open for interpretation. Again having that discipline can take you into other styles of dance, because you know what you are doing with your body. Working on posture, and flexibility, just the technique in general can help out with all kinds of other styles of dance.

On Performing So You Think You Can Dance's First Classical Pas de Deux:

I was so surprised that I pulled pas de deux out of the hat. If anything, I didn't think I would get ballet--that seemed unfair--but when I thought about it, contemporary dancers get contemporary, hip-hop dancers get hip hop. So I was so excited to put my pointe shoes on and do what I do. And Romeo and Juliet is my favorite ballet so it was amazing.

On her Partnership with Ade:

Well gosh, at the beginning of the competition, Ade and I were kind of unknown. We didn't get a whole lot of press -- we didn't even really know each other really well, but we instantly got along. He's a really funny, laid-back guy, and I'm really laid-back, too, so our chemistry really worked right away. We were both technical dancers and strong dancers, which allowed us to do a lot of the crazy lifts that we did.  It was really easy to pretend to be in love with him and have him be my Romeo and do the rumba with. I was very lucky to have him as a partner and I think we complimented each other really well.

On Her Dream Dance Partner:

In the ballet world, I'd have to say, Jose Carreno, because he's beautiful and has amazing technique. And just amazing to watch, and I'm sure a wonderful partner. But I don't know if I'd want to trade Ade for anybody, we worked pretty well together.

Her Thoughts on the Final Two Girls, Kayla and Jeanine:

Well, they're both so young and they have so much ahead of them. Kayla is very long and flowing with her movement, and Jeanine is just a little powerhouse and has just a crazy personality. It'll be interesting to see who America chooses between them and the boys. But the three of us girls were so different, it was great working with them.


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