Lawson keeps on showing she can dance
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Contestant Caitlynn Lawson performs a solo routine to " Cosmic Love" on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE airing Wednesday, July 20 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. &Copy;2011 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Adam Rose/FOX
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Contestant Caitlynn Lawson and "Dancing with the Stars All Star" Pasha Kovalev perform an Argentine Tango routine to "Malajunta," choreographed by Miriam Larci and Leonardo Barrionuevo on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE airing Wednesday, July 20 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. &Copy;2011 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Adam Rose/FOX
MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake's Caitlynn Lawson made it through another round of eliminations unscathed on Thursday's episode of the FOX TV show "So You Think You Can Dance?"
Lawson was on the verge of tears during Wednesday's show as the judges praised her performance with Pasha Kovalev, a contestant from the show's third season.
The pair performed an Argentine tango choreographed by Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo.
Lawson earned a standing ovation from judge Mary Murphy, who called her "breathtaking" and said she had taken her dancing "to another level."
"The passion that you showed was more real tonight than in any other number," she said.
Nigel Lythgoe, who has criticized Lawson for displaying a lack of maturity in some of her performances, said she has grown as a dancer.
"Tonight, you were a woman and far sexier than anything you've ever done before in this competition," he said. "You kept the intensity, you forgot that we were there, you didn't over perform. You left us as voyeurs watching and just getting into the passion of the routine."
He said there were two other women he's seen perform with such passion and sexiness: Larici and Pasha's partner from season three, Anya Garnis.
"Now I'm going to add the name of Caitlynn Lawson to that list as well," he said.
Guest judge, and actor, Neil Patrick Harris said he initially had trouble connecting with the routine.
"I had trouble sort of getting into the groove of the music, and then I was afraid it was going too slow," he said. "But I was suddenly zoning into it and it felt like great theater. I don't know that I've seen a number be that slow and sensual and I was totally hooked."
He said Lawson was "gorgeous" and he was impressed she kept up with Kovalev.
"You match Pasha, who everyone knows has got the swagger and stuff, but you keyed right in with him," he said. "The two of you were super in-synch the whole entire time."
Lawson, seemingly overwhelmed by all the praise, fought back tears.
"Oh my gosh, this is amazing," she said. "I'm going to cry."
The remaining eight dancers perform again next Wednesday at 8 p.m. on FOX. Viewers can vote online at www.fox.com/dance or call or text numbers displayed during the performance show.
Lawson is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/D8Caitlynn.