Shannon (S9 Finalist)

* 26-years-old from Pennsylvania. She danced for the Pittsburgh Power for two years, but started feeling sick. She had less endurance to dance, and started noticing that something wasn’t right. She was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Having an official diagnosis was exciting for her. With all the medications available, she’s the healthiest she’s ever been. She’s motivated to dance with the best of the best and be one of America’s sweethearts.

### **Season 9**

**(9.1)**

* Walking up and seeing all the beautiful girls here, it is intimidating but I just have to do the best that I can and leave it all on the floor.
* Biography
* My number’s on the board. I am so excited. This has been an emotional process, and it’s only the first day, but I can’t wait to come back tomorrow.
* I’m ready to just go. It’s been a long day of waiting and learning and waiting and, so I’m just ready to go out there and do it.
* Kickline, I think, went really well. I made one little goof on the left leg, which I recovered right after. So, hopefully, that’s not a make-or-break.
* [Three names left] I would do anything to be on that field next week for finals. I would probably give my left leg, but then I would probably need that to kick, so that’s a bad example.

**(9.2)**

* [Kitty Carter session] It… oh, I don’t even know where to start.
* [Kitty Carter session] I am overwhelmed. I have a lot of stuff to do tomorrow, first starting with this costume and then my routine, and then panel interviews and stuff. So, I have a busy day ahead.
* The floor was a little slick. A couple times, I kind of felt myself get a little tripped up.
* It’s a big competition. Every girl here is better than the next. I know that I have to bring my A-game, or actually, A-plus game, and hopefully that’s good enough.
* Right now, we are down on the field, getting ready for the combination we learned in semis and the kickline. All the vets are back, so we’re kind of mixing with them to see how well we can do compared to them.
* I was concerned about if you made mistakes because I am pretty sure I remember missing a kick. If you make a mistake or two, you are on a huge screen.
* I think I did everything I could. It’s an emotional process because you never know if you’ll have the experience to dance on the field again.
* Right now, we’re just kind of upstairs hanging out and waiting for the judges to come out, so regardless of the outcome, I know that I can walk out of here with my head held high and I did the best that I could.
* [Not selected for training camp] I’m a little disappointed, but I’m a firm believer in “everything happens for a reason,” and [*starts crying*] God has a better plan for me.

## **Commentary**

### **Season 9**

**(9.1)**

* This blonde can’t even look at anybody else. – J
* [Semifinals judging] She would be a diamond in the rough because her dancing was fine, her showmanship. Make all this [*motioning to face*] was not working for her, because her make-up is so dark./ Muddy. – K/ But if you brighten that up, you might see her differently, I think.

**(9.2)**

* You’re just a hot mess. Have you worked with product in your hair, because you look like a drowned rat. – Kitty Carter
* You look like Grandma Moses or a square-dancing princess that went bad. It just needs to be completely destroyed. – Kitty Carter
* [Panel interviews] I thought Shannon had a very pleasant personality. It was interesting she said she’s a diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, right here at the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders auditions. I thought that was an honest and genuine answer. – K
* [Struggles in kickline] I wanted to like her. – Melissa Rycroft
* Shannon didn’t do as well as I thought she would have today. – J
* [Finals deliberation] I thought her dance… oh, I really liked her and I think she has a great figure, great showmanship./ I wrote that she has everything but the look, and I don’t know if she could have the look./ I agree. – K/ I think she’s a candidate for a make-over.

## **End of Journey**

### **Season 9**

**(9.2)**

* Makes it to finals, but is not

invited to training camp

## **Other**

### **Season 9**

**(9.1)**

* Second-to-last shown being invited to finals

**(9.2)**

* At panel interviews, Charlotte asks her to choose between Jason Witten or Ben Roethlisberger (since Shannon’s from the Pittsburgh area). Shannon insinuates that’s a tough question, and that she’s a diehard Steelers fan, but she’d have to go with Jason Witten, and that Ben Roethlisberger is not her favorite person off the field.
* She’s highlighted (by name) performing her solo at finals (and wearing a new outfit)
* Her solo is shown again, right after Judy gives a confessional about some of the candidate solos being disappointing

## Misc.

* Cleveland Cavelier Dancer post-DCC tryout