‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Kupono Aweau and Randi Evans, just as cheery offstage
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After being eliminated from ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ the very friendly Kupono Aweau and Randi Evans sat down to a conference call with journalists to discuss their time on the show and beyond.
Randi Evans about hearing she was in the bottom two: It wasn’t that big of a surprise because I kind of had a feeling that I would be there, just because the other numbers the previous night had been so great. Everyone’s so amazing and so, really, someone had to go, and I felt like I had a really good run, so it wasn’t really sad. I was content and I gave it all I had and now I’m looking forward to the tour.
On issues with her costumes, starting with her wig Wednesday night: It was harder, but it wasn’t just the wig but the whole persona, this gypsy. It wasn’t my choice to wear it, so when I got some crap for it I was like, ‘It wasn’t me that chose it,’ but it is what it is.
On her most difficult costume to work with: You need to learn how to adapt to all that, but I feel like the Bollywood costume was the hardest to dance in, since it’s so elaborate; I’m not used to dancing with that much on, a headpiece, scarves. It’s a bit restrictive but you deal with it.
On her change of solo costume from Wednesday to Thursday night: Some of the contestants told me Wednesday that that wasn’t my favorite outfit, so I changed it. They actually took to dry clean my first dress but they’d didn’t have it, so I figured I didn’t really like the first dress anyway, so I might as well change it. At first I felt like I was going to the prom: I have Kupono sitting next to me right now laughing, but he is the fashion expert and he told me it looked great and the judges actually had multiple comments about how much better it was.
What she’s into other than dancing: I am a huge outdoor junkie! I live close to the mountains and lake so I like boating, camping and four-wheeling. My husband and I go to the sand dunes all the time; that’s one of our favorite things to do. I am more of a rough, go-camping kind of girl, not so much with the makeup every day.
Check out one of Randi’s most popular performances:
Kupono Aweau on his ‘signature move:’ It’s my happy dance! It’s what I do backstage to make people laugh and get my spirits up. It’s the most ridiculous movement ever. When you’re doing it, you can’t help but smile. It’s just a good thing and it lifts people’s spirits.
On how important Mia Michaels’ ‘addiction’ dance was to him: Mia brought stuff out that I didn’t know was there. My father and sister used to be crystal meth addicts. It was a bad time for our family but thank God they fought for it and got through it. My family is so much better and I’ve dealt with everything, but clearly there was something in there that I didn’t know was still there so it was almost like therapy. I needed Mia Michaels in my life, I needed that piece, I needed Kayla [Radomski], that whole moment, I needed it.
On whether it’s easier or harder when the eliminations are in the hands of America and not the judges: It’s easier. It’s out of your hands, and there is only so much you can do. I’m dancing just to dance and just to live on that stage. It’s kind of nice to leave it up to America. I don’t mind it, because it’s a popularity contest, not about whether I’m good enough. I’m totally happy with it.
What he’d like to be remembered for on the show: My fun spirit! I like to think I’m a cool cat, a fun guy and a positive spirit and I hope [my fans] got that from me.
Check out one of Kupono’s most popular performances:
-- Claire Zulkey