Show cuts dance teacher

Judges on So You Think You Can Dance? did not like the local woman's perkiness.

By AMBER MOBLEY
Published August 6, 2006

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CARROLLWOOD - America voted, and dance teacher Natalie Fotopoulos was eliminated Thursday from the hit FOX network competition So You Think You Can Dance?

The 22-year-old instructor at All American Dance Factory in Carrollwood came just one episode short of becoming one of the show's final four dancers.

Judges criticized Fotopoulos' perkiness as faux theatrics.

"Stop trying so hard, because you have it," judge Mia Michaels told Fotopoulos.

Fotopoulos, who is of Greek heritage, began her goodbye with "Opa!" as she threw her hands in the air with a smile.

Moments later, fighting back tears, she thanked the judges - "I'm taking in everything you've told me," Fotopoulos replied - and told the remaining performers, "you're my family."

Fotopoulos' real relatives, while disappointed about her elimination, are still very proud, said Fotopoulos' grandmother Rosemary Bramuchi of Dade City.

"Natalie is already getting offers to do music videos and had an acting agency that wants her to sign with them," Bramuchi said, "so we can't be too upset."

Fotopoulos will most likely be calling Los Angeles home now because of it, said Bramuchi. And the young dancer's stint with the show isn't quite finished.

In American Idol style, So You Think You Can Dance? is hitting the road for a tour and as one of the show's top 10 dancers, Fotopoulos will perform.

The 25-city tour starts in September and comes to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center on Oct. 15. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale at noon on Oct. 12.

The ultimate winner of So You Think You Can Dance? will receive $100,000, a new car and a one-year contract to appear with Celine Dion in her Las Vegas show.

So You Think You Can Dance? airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 p.m. on FOX.

Amber Mobley can be reached at 813 269-5311 or amobley@sptimes.com.