'Angry' Mia Michaels Says Claims of 'Dance' Racism Are Ridiculous

By Stacy Jenel Smith Posted Aug 10th 2010 01:05PM

Mia Michaels and AdéChiké Torbert from So You Think You Can Dance

'So You Think You Can Dance' judge Mia Michaels has been stung by some of the criticism of her criticism that's broken out in blogs and comment areas since last week's elimination of AdéChiké Torbert (right) on the show -- specifically, remarks to the effect that she has it in for black male dancers.

"It's just ridiculous, honestly. I actually Twittered because there was so much negativity coming at me, because they think I was coming at him for really stupid reasons," she tells PopEater. "I had to make clear that I as a judge, as a person, don't care what somebody looks like. I could care less what color their skin is, or how big they are, what their weight is. I look at their performance. I look at their integrity as an artist. I look at their technicality. I look strictly at that. People are trying to find something that isn't there. They're digging into the wrong areas."

Michaels admits that such comments have made her feel "kind of angry because like, I want to tell them, 'You don't know me. You don't know me at all.' I mean, without getting, you know -- it's just, my friends, my boyfriends, my dancers. Some of the finest dancers that have worked for me are black men and my assistants are black men. People are trying to grab at anything to make a reason why I'm critiquing him as harsh as I do and, it's -- I keep getting this rap, I don't like black male dancers, and anybody who knows me knows that's just hilarious. We crack up."

She mentioned boyfriends. So Michaels has dated black men?

"Yes, I mean, years ago I was engaged to an African American, actually, a Cuban guy," she replies. "I'm open to people. I'm looking for the spirit. I'm looking for the art. I don't care if they're purple green with polka dots. I'm so much deeper than that."

The Emmy-winning choreographer, who has worked with such stars as Madonna, Prince, Celine Dion and Ricky Martin, says of herself, Nigel Lithgoe and Adam Shankman, "As judges, clearly -- clearly -- we've been doing this so long. I started dancing when I was three, started choreographing when I was 15. I've been doing this my entire life and I know what I'm looking at. And what I say, it's an opinion; people can take it or leave it. It's not the bible of dance. For me, AdéChiké was not one of the stronger dancers from the get-go. I honestly don't think he would have been around as long as he was if we hadn't had all the injuries we had this season."

Nevertheless, she stresses that she believes he's a good dancer "and a great young man. He's very strong, an athlete, but he needs a lot of work in the fluidity department and style. He needs to tap into the artistry and the style of dancing."
Michaels, who wants to continue in her role as judge on the hugely-popular Fox show -- which has its season finale episodes Wednesday and Thursday this week -- says, "I've learned a lot, too.

"I've learned that words are very, very important and you have to choose wisely. That's something I've learned this season -- I need to be careful how I deliver my thoughts on a performance and a person. I would by no means ever want to hurt somebody just for the sake of hurting somebody. I would never, ever want that. So when I had come across very harsh on AdéChiké one week, I really took a step back. That was a real learning curve for me and I needed to apologize to him, and I did. I said, 'I'm really sorry if I hurt you or offended you in any way. That was not my intention.'"

Michaels also spoke to AdéChiké after his elimination, she says, and, as anyone would expect, he was disappointed not to make the finale. "But I also told him that he should be very happy, that he should be celebrating that he had gone so far. He's going to do great."

And now the attention turns to the three finalists -- Kent Boyd, Lauren Froderman and Robert Roldan -- one of whom is soon to be named this season's winner.

"You're going to see them at top form for the finale. You know, everybody at the end is just going to go for broke, like really bust a move," Michaels predicts. "They each bring something different. Robert is this humble sweetheart. Kent is the farm boy. And Luaren is this little girl who is like the diva, because she's the only girl standing. I think it's just a personal preference at this point. For me, I would be happy if any one of them won."

Tags: so you think you can dance

Comments

(533)

Wednesday 11 August

By Sherry

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I agree with you.

By ShellyC

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I dont think this is Racial with Mia. I just think that she is a mean spirited person who let's the power get to her head. She clearly isn't consistant from show to show and that shows she just says whatever pops into her head regardless of how it makes the dancers feel. The 4th judge should be a psychologist for the judges!(especially when they start to cry!)

Tuesday 10 August

By jbsasktheape

This is why black people will never be equal to white people.
Every time a black person loses it's "racist".

By WhoKnew

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Trust me when I say I don't want to be equal to white people; no way. As for crying racism when we lose..that's all the neocons have been doing since they lost in 2008 so climb down off that high horse cause you ain't all that..

By Maria

You are ridiculous. I have a feeling you don't truly believe that garbage you posted, but it was more of a childishly ignorant attempt to incite anger.

By Corrine

Who in the name of God wants to be equal to white folk. I don't and never have been wanting to be equal with you crooks, shanks, smelly, dirty, no talent a and 2 S's. Black people are far more advanced than white people. Black people invented everything anyway, you white people just stole it and claimed it as their own. White people need to be equal to black people.

By Surprise

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We will never be equal. EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By JD

Not "every" time. Just more often than it should be.

Thursday 12 August

By Linda

@jbsasktheape... you are right, some Black people will never be 'equal'... some of us are better than your ilk of condescending, self righteous, goose stepping ideologues... now go read a book, something your people were never denied the right to do.

By Ann

As someone who has watched the show ever since the 2nd season, I dont think she's racist, BUT, she does have a history of being extremely critical of black male contemporary dancers (like the one mentioned in the story, as well as Danny-season 3, Brandon and Ade season 5, and Adechike, this season). All of which were praised as some of the best dancers the show had ever seen any season.At one point she flat out told a guy "I just dont like you". Im sure it was just tough love because she knew how amazing they all could be, but i can see where the criticism about her may have stemmed from.

I will say this though, she had no problem this season telling Adechike how much she disliked certain performances, and would use certain positves for other dancers, and point them out as negatives when speaking to him... Racist? no, Some other kind of bias? wouldnt suprise me at all

By mary

I have never liked Mia even when ashe wasn't a judge bring back Mary shes so much more uplifting

By IE

Obama agreed and blame it on the Republicans

By laci

very funny

By Janet

All I can say is remember Brandon from a few years back. She really had it in for him. I will not go so far as to say she is racist because I dont' think she is, but I do think she has an ideal dance type in her mind and they dont' fit into it. But what irks me the most about the show is why don't they ever take it out on the choreographers. Some of the dances are truly awful yet they always praise them no matter what. I do think this season was better than most, but I would be happy to see Mia go for good and Mary back for good. Mia has a way about her that is not entertaining at all.

By Debby

I think Adechike is a very good dancer and yes, I agree he needs a little work, But, I feel Michaels was a little harsh on him with her choices of words when giving advise. I am glad that she said to him that she was sorry and I know in my heart Adechike will go a long way with his dancing, because he now as drive and he has exposure to the universe from being on my favorite show, called "So you think you can dance."

By gary williams

who knew
I didn't vote for obama because i knew he was a mistake. I didn't care he was black. If there had been a qualified black candidate i would have voted for him, heck if there had been a qualified candidate for president in 2008 i would have voted for them, male or female. Bush made sure the dems would win in 2008, obama has made sure another dem will never win in our life time. He also set race relations back two hundred years and who knows when another black will hold the office of president.

By vickie

You seem to forget the republicans were in from 2000 to 2008...the first week in december walstreet collapsed and the banks failed while the republicans had a majority in the house and senate plus.... a repubtard president...cheez how we forget....if it were not for president Obama....things would be worse...smart people know this......

By carol

THANK YOU GARY, TRUER WORDS WERE NEVER SPOKEN.. THE WORST PRESIDENT THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD.

By James Diel

Yes whoknew is definitely a racist SOB!! he/she says they don't want to be equal to white people because it thinks white people are inferior!!! The other person said black people will never be equal becaue many don't want to be equal they Feel like whoknew as superior so that is why they(the people that do it,not all) Always blame it on white people or whoever else they feel on blaming their problems on that day...Whoknew would also blame it's problems on a balck guy/woman that does things the right way and stands for truth and justice...you know someone whoknew would refer to as a neocon..So yes whoknew is a racist and hates white people but also is a bigot against black people that try and do the right thing and better themselves and do not push the Hate and pre-judge like whoknew and his/her friends do.......The typical Lberal way that promotes hate and violence..Hate the victim reward and stand up for the criminals!!!!

By Bob

Never bring back Mary! I would rather have Mia over Mary any day.
She may seem rude, but she is just being honest and if she feels that she needs to apologize, she does. I think she has been more hard on Kent than any other dancer there. If I never hear Mary yell " Hot tomalae train " it will be too soon.

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