10 questions with ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ star Kate Harpootlian
Kate Harpootlian used to ask for the keys to the Columbia City Jazz Dance Company and dance in the studio after hours. Now the 27-year old Columbia native is a Top 20 finalist on the reality TV show “So You Think You Can Dance.” In an interview with Fox, which broadcasts the show, Harpootlian said making the Top 20 was like “what Harry Potter felt like when he found out he was going to Hogwarts. Stunned, disbelief, pure joy and excitement, yet also nervous for the journey I’m about to embark on.”
July 13 was the first live show in “So You Think You Can Dance” season 12. Harpootlian performed with her dance partner, Edson Juarez, to a piece choreographed by Travis Wall. The judges disliked the duo and said they lacked believability, but host Cat Deeley said they danced beautifully. Harpootlian said hearing negative feedback from the judges was “heartbreaking” but that she stands by her performance. Before she hits the SYTYCD stage again on Monday, “The State” caught up with Harpootlian about starting her dance career in Columbia, her chaotic schedule and her favorite judge.
“So You Think You Can Dance” airs Mondays at 8 p.m.EDT on Fox.
What has the “So You Think You Can Dance” experience been like for you so far?
Harpootlian: It’s been one of the craziest, most chaotic, hardest things I’ve ever done in my professional career. It’s working the craziest hours, doing things you’re not comfortable with ... I don’t think people understand that as a contemporary dancer, I’ve just been doing contemporary dancing. And on this show you’re expected to do everything. Now I’m doing hip-hop or ballroom or whatever they throw at me each week.
Why did you decide to audition in the first place?
I felt like I was at a place where I didn’t know what the next step was. I hit a wall. I was on tour with Shaping Sound and when that ended I had a hard time finding work for three to four months. Having been a professional dancer for nine years, that sucks. I had just moved to L.A., where most places do direct booking – they don’t audition anyone, they just call people they already know. I wanted to try out (for SYTYCD), get my name out there, thinking it couldn’t hurt. And now I’m on it!
What do you think about the Stage vs. Street aspect of the show this season?
It’s interesting. They do their best to try to separate us. We even live separately. But we all get along really well. Each team admires the other for the skills that they bring. It’s nice when we get to work with that side too. The weird thing is, you’re competing within your own team more than the street team, at least until the end of the show.
What’s been the most difficult thing so far?
The mental aspect. Like last week, Edson and I did our duet and thought we rocked it. We loved what we did on the floor and the judges didn’t care for it. That’s heartbreaking. Then you have to go into a Broadway dance and be sexy when your mind is somewhere else. The hardest thing is keeping your head above the water and staying positive.
The best thing?
I love how much it’s pushing me. I feel like I wake up terrified every day but excited to tackle that fear. I’m doing things I never thought I would do.
Tell us about your hair! What made you decide to go with that color?
When I was in New York, my hair stylist started experimenting with my hair color. I started blond and added pink streaks and then teal streaks. Then one day she did a dusty rose color. I saw it and started laughing. I had no idea that’s what it was going to be but I loved it. Then we did a dusty orchid, which is the shade it is now. It’s pink in person but it comes out bright red on stage.
Do you have a favorite judge?
I love Paula. She’s the most knowledgeable and the most compassionate. She really speaks from truth and speaks her mind. I admire her.
Tell us about growing up in Columbia. You started dancing at the Columbia Conservatory of Dance, correct?
I started there doing basic ballet. Then the Columbia City Jazz Dance Company saw me in a class and asked me to join (the company). That’s when I fell in love with dance. We competed and traveled all over the U.S. and to other countries. I met so many people that changed my life. I used to ask for the keys to the studio and dance around after hours. It was a special place to be.
On your bio you say you also love to cook. Do you get to cook much now?
I don’t get to cook too much with my schedule. For breakfast I’ve been eating plantain pancakes, black beans and avocado. My mom says I was like a competitor on “Iron Chef” growing up. I love watching cooking shows and reading cooking magazines.
Anything else?
I’m so grateful for all of the support and love. It means the world to me to hear from everyone. (When Harpootlian made the finals on July 13, she received well wishes via Twitter from Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin and state Rep. James Smith, among others.)
WATCH a video of Kate and Edson dancing from last week’s SYTYCD episode:
Related content:
Columbia native wins finalist spot on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’
Kate Harpootlian’s website
Other South Carolinians on reality TV:
Greenville singer Benton Blount on “America’s Got Talent”
Blount sang Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away,” for his initial audition, which aired July 14. He earned a standing ovation from the audience and positive feedback from all four judges.
His next performance on the show will air 8 p.m. on July 28.
Pro Tumbler Jack Payne on “America’s Got Talent”
Columbian Jack Payne is part of group X-Treme Tricking and Tumbling. All four judges gave the tumblers thumbs up at their initial audition, but sent them home during the first round of cuts on July 14.
This story was originally published July 19, 2015 at 10:21 PM with the headline "10 questions with ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ star Kate Harpootlian."