All the Right Moves? A Look at Britney, Carrie and Lady Gaga's Dancing Skills

By Jo Piazza Posted Dec 10th 2009 06:00AM

Because the MTV Video Music Awards and the Grammys don't have a category for "Best Dance Moves By A Hot Young Blonde Artist", we at PopEater, always eager to fill a gap in expert analysis and accolades, have taken it upon ourselves to do our own review of this season's bombshell vids, Britney Spears, "3", Carrie Underwood's "Cowboy Casanova," and Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." Who moved the best? Who bored us to tears? And who managed to sauce it up?

Our expert analysis after the jump:

Britney Spears, "3"

Our experts agree that Britney's paean to the threesome is technically the dullest video of the three. "The choreography is nonexistent in this video. Britney looks weaker than her dancers," explains Andi McCormack, founder and artistic director of the Penny Lane Dance Academy LA and NY. "I found the movement to be lazy and unoriginal. Very uninspiring work with no artistry."

It's a tough call since Britney is historically the most talented dancer in this group. While this performance doesn't fall as flat as a certain 2007 MTV Video Music Awards debacle, fans continue to expect more out of Brit's moves.

"This is not Britney's finest hour. Please refer back to "I'm a Slave For You" for her better work," says Kelly Myernick, Houston Ballet First Soloist.

Carrie Underwood, "Cowboy Casanova"

Carrie has always tried to make country a little bit saucy and well, here she goes again. She may not move like a trained dancer, but Carrie always get an "E" for effort (warning: it may be because her dance moves remind us of our own back at all-girls Catholic High School).

"Carrie Underwood isn't necessarily moving the ball forward with choreography but at least it has a given purpose," explains, Lisa Niedermeyer, an independent NYC dance artist and a consultant for Movement Media.. "Her backup dancers are literally her posse in this video, they have her back as she confronts her "Cowboy Casanova" in the final duel. With them she has the strength to stand him down and best of all it looks like they all get a kick out of doing so."

At the end of the day Carrie is a singer first and a dancer about fifth. So even though she and her backup dancers make a valiant effort in "Cowboy" and the result is still a fun romp, stylistically she isn't adding anything to the dance oeuvre.

"To be fair Carrie is much more comfortable with the choreography when she has a mic in her hand (like at the CMT Awards performance of "Cowboy Casanova"). She is obviously a singer not a dancer. Her voice is straight forward, sassy and big but her movement/choreography is not," Niedermeyer says.

Lady Gaga, "Bad Romance"

Gaga brings it with her red carpet scare-wear and she definitely brings it in "Bad Romance." The Lady is always revving it at 100 miles per hour so that anything she puts out there turns into a miniature masterpiece.

"Now here's an artist. A true diva. Pushing concepts and ideas into areas that get us excited and keep us entertained," McCormack says. "The Lady moves well and sells it hard. A slight Euro feel to the choreography and staccato moves leave you feeling like you need a shower, I love it. Bridge section in red was unexpected and well done. Can't wait to see girls clawing at the club to this one!"

Choreographically Gaga may not be that innovative, but because she is willing to try anything she makes fans want to shake their own bootees with this video.

"What she's doing is letting us bring our own freaky style to the dances we already know. The 'Bad Romance' video gives us the Charleston, the twist, the hand jive, some vogue-ing, some Flash Dance (maybe some Jane Fonda), and some 'Thriller'. . . just to name a few," Myernick says

Tags: britney, britney spears, britney-spears, BritneySpears, carrie underwood, CarrieUnderwood, Lady Gaga, LadyGaga

Comments

(35)

Thursday 10 December

By Terry

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I think Carrie has the best voice and is my favorite singer and love her to death. With that said, when has she ever danced and can't. She does have great video's and think her before he cheats is hands down the best I ever seen. However she still can't dance. She has hips and moves them but that is not dancing and the tramp Britney can dance but thats it for me on her. Lady gag is a gag

By tom

ga ga and spears are hollywood trash. lets hope underwood stays away from that garbage in hollywood..

By Jason

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Ga Ga is from New York. And besides, these ladies are performers. It's an act. Brit and Ga Ga choose not to be safe and cookie cutter country. I'd Marry either of them cause they make my loins burn. Carrie makes me want to put on my pajamas and watch I love Lucy.

By Katherine

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I loveeee Lady Gaga! Most talented of all three women!

By jbjg24m

more like Lady Gag Gag

By DC

You Idiots, Taylor Swift can out Sex all those Shanks!

OMG I cannot believe all you conservative dorks voted Carrie Underwood as the sexiest. Puuuleeeessse! All the bible thumpers voted for her cookie cutter, safe and boring style. Ga Ga is cutting edge and can sing AND dance unlike Mrs Underwear and she has a much more rockin bod. Vote with what you feel next time, not with what your pastor says.

By s.J.

I'm an old lady, but found Lady GaGa a refreshing change from all the little girl voices, and those with the "one note" ranges. Carrie is a gifted song-writer and singer, and keeps the Oklahoma torch burning (Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, Reba, Toby Keith). Britany needs to go school and learn a trade, because her style won't be with her in a few years..Don't know if she can sing in a regular voice..Baby doll doesn't work when you're old.

Friday 11 December

By Rick

We've been stuck with Madonna since the 80's, so it might be a similar story with BS. Let's see in 2020. That'll really be hindsight.

By Steven

Lady Gaga is the next big thing whether anyone wants to admit it or not! Its proven in the numbers. Also to those who think lady gaga is a "man", you are just insecure that she is able to express herself in a way that you dont think is "normal" whatever normal is.

By John

Where is Christina Aguilera when you need her!

By Castorpsbuddy1

I watch the Gaga video and the other two aren't even in the same league. She's by far more talented and creative, and Bad Romance is tons better than the other two songs with or without the videos.

By dave

carrie is a shapless bean pole,,,with a long face and no sex appeal. She can sing well,, but don't make her what shes not. Britney has all the sex appeal,,the cool moves,,,from head to toe,,she has it,,but sing,,she performs and thats enough.

Saturday 26 December

By Diana

LADY GAGA is the best
hands down!!!
Carrie needs to stop dancing and just sing she can't dance
I luv britney though

Wednesday 20 January

By Poor Britney dot com

What's missing here is what flows through the artist, and Britney ignites many feelings in people whether its fascination, pity or pure love. She has a charm that the Gaga and Carrie wish they had.

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