Tara

* [Joint biography with Savannah – *Savannah’s portion is first and mentions they cheered together on the Jets and are living together*] Tara is 23 years old from New York. She cheered three years with the Jets, and it was the three most incredible years of her life, but she’s excited for a new challenge. She moved here with Savannah. They decided to come down here and give it their best shot and audition, and now here they are. She grew up with her best friend, Olivia. They were inseparable and competed in dances together. When they turned 16, she was in a car accident and was paralyzed. It was heart-breaking for her bubbly, fun, best friend to have to go through something so serious. She has been Tara’s number one fan through the process despite the battles she faces daily. Tara’s not just dancing with her own heart, but with Olivia's as well.

## **Confessionals**

Total: 33

Season 12: 23 (7th most)

Season 13: 10

### **Season 12**

**(12.1)**

* [With Savannah] "Savannah and I both came from New York. We cheered for the New York Jets, both for three years. And now we’re with excited to be here."
* "I like to think I did enough to make it to semifinals tomorrow. I’m glad to have gotten it over with. And now I’m just nervous to wait and wait and wait for the judges decision about tomorrow."
* [With Savannah - they both make it to semifinals] "We don’t go party right now. What we do is go back to our hotel, drink a lot of water, and get all ready, and go to sleep as soon as possible."

**(12.2)**

* "Walking out to the field for the first time was incredible."
* [With Savannah who just said hopefully they both make it to Finals] "Yes, hopefully we do."
* [With Savannah] [Phil from AT&T Stadium is holding a dance party with the candidates while the judges deliberate who makes it to Finals] "There’s a dance party going on right now, and I’m kind of all about it, because it’s really nice to just dance and have fun, and not be judged for it today."

**(12.3)**

* "I love dancing on a field. I look at the top row of the seats in the stadium, and imagine somebody wanted to see you all the way on the field. What are you going to do to make them watch you?"

**(12.4)**

* [With Savannah, after she speaks] "I know it’s not going to be easy, but the hard work will all be worth it."
* [Biography]
* "I’m about to perform the choreography we just learned in front of Kelli and Judy, and I’m really nervous. Hoping I remember it all."
* "You can really see the moments where [the veterans] dial it up."
* [With Savannah] "I woke up this morning feeling like I got hit by a truck. Rehearsals have been going well, but they are definitely very taxing on my body."
* [Veteran workshop] "I’m just really so grateful that they’re taking the time out of their day so that when we go into rehearsal later on, we’ll be even more confident in what we have."
* "It’s the end of week one, which is crazy. I’m so grateful to have made it this far. I upped my life and moved here just for this, so I’m going to turn it all the way up tonight. They want me to dial it up? I’ll dial it all the way up."

**(12.6)**

* "Power’s important for DCC choreography, because there are fans all the way up in the 300 section. And you want to make sure that person in the very top row is having just as great a show as the person right in front of you."

**(12.7)**

* [VA Hospital] "It’s so crazy how we get so caught up in training camp, but these men have put their lives on the line for us, and they’re going through the real struggles."

**(12.9)**

* "It’s really important at this point in the game to never make mistakes because you want to show Kelli and Judy that you’re game day ready, and if you’re making mistakes, they’re not going to feel confident putting you on the field."

**(12.12)**

* "It’s really hard to think about Savannah struggling. I know she can do it. We’ve had three years cheering for the same team. [Tears up] Nope. I want to make this team with Savannah. I came here with her. I mean, I would be grateful for a spot, but I would be heartbroken if she didn’t make it."

**(12.13)**

* "Savannah and I have just been through everything together, so for one of us to not make it, it would be really heartbreaking only because we’ve come so far."
* [With Savannah, after team is announced] "We’re a package deal. And this goes to show it."
* "It’s our last rehearsal before the big game tomorrow, and I’m very, very nervous because my parents came down all the way from New York to come see me today, and I just want to live up to their expectations."
* [Game Day] "Here I am, just taking the first steps on the field. It’s amazing."
* "Dancing in these boots is something I’ve always wanted. And the fact that I’m doing it right now; it gives me chills."

### **Season 13**

**(13.4)**

* [Calendar shoot] "If you’re not contorting your body, and if it doesn’t hurt, you’re not doing it right, apparently. Making the cover would be indescribable."

**(13.7)**

* "I just kicked so hard that I got out from under myself, but I just tried to get up and keep going because that’s what’s most important."

**(13.8)**

* [Before office] "This is something that I’ve worked really, really hard for. This is something I’ve given up a lot for. To have that all taken away is kind of scary."
* [After office] "Today was kind of that reality check that, hey, it really can be taken away. And that will be motivation enough for me to get int there and stand out."

**(13.11)**

* "If I were called into the office tonight, I would take it as an opportunity to talk to Kelli and Judy about the feedback they gave me last time in the office. So, I would love the opportunity to talk to them about that, and it’s only going to get better from here."
* [Before office] "Ever since my last office call, I’ve been working, doing everything that I can to kind of show up here and be prepared. I’ve changed my hair, I’ve worked out, I’ve changed my diet completely, so, I’m just trying to take care of myself and really just take steps forward to a new healthy version of me that can be consistent for them."
* [After office] |Honestly, I think that everybody has moments in life where they don’t feel as confident and they can’t really explain why. But it’s a scary place to be, and it’s a place I don’t want to be. Nobody should have to feel that way, and even Kelli and Judy called me in tonight to kind of encourage me out of that place. And I think it takes opening up about your struggles in life to sometimes get over them."

**(13.12)**

* [Office visits announced] "I was a little surprised to hear my name tonight, but I know that they’ve [Kelli and Judy] had their eyes on me and they’ve kind of been watching my progress throughout the season. I’m eager to get in there and check in with them."
* [Before office] "Of course anytime you go into the office it can be kind of scary. But I do feel like I’ve turned a new leaf and I dialed up the energy a lot tonight."
* [After cut] "I didn’t necessarily expect to be cut, but it’s a very strong group. I’m not going to miss them because I’m going to come to a game and I will watch them cheer and dance and I will be so proud of each and every one of them."

## **Commentary**

### **Season 12**

**(12.3)**

* “63 looks like a DCC” – McCoy

**(12.4)**

* “Tara, your moves need to be stronger.” – K
* “You’re rushing.” – J, “You’re gonna have to dial it up to compete in this room.” – K
* I really liked watching Tara. You’re fun to watch. You know how to work your hair. It’s not getting hung in your face. It just looks fresh and bright. – Mia Greenhouse
* “I just realized Tara has short legs.” – K, “Real short, and long body.” – J

**(12.5)**

* “Tara, you were slow on the leg lift, and slow on the bow, so you need to watch, learn, and do.” – K

**(12.8)**

* Brennan and Tara, you both looked like you were having to think too much. – J

**(12.9)**

* Tara, your face was showing effort in those kicks. Kinda like you’re breathing through your mouth. I know it’s hard to smile and kick, but that’s what you gotta do. – K

**(12.12)**

* “I think she’s a ‘go home’, Tara. I don’t think she’s attractive. I think she’s probably sweet. Eh, eh, eh, go home.” – Kitty Carter
* “Tara’s strong.” – K
* “Tara, weird style on entrance.” – K
* Keyra and Gina are softer on your accents and Tara’s out-snapping you, out-popping you. Her pom-poms are probably making more noise – K [Kelli has Gina, Keyra, and Tara repeat the moves, and then asks veterans who was loudest, who say Tara] “Then Gina, then Keyra.” – K
* “Little Tara’s coming to life.” – K
* I was impressed with Tara tonight. She’s attached at the hip to Savannah. I have a little bit of a concern that their situation could get complicated if one makes the team and the other doesn’t. – K

**(12.13)**

* Tara is the front corner on the visitor’s sideline, and she looks a little uncomfortable with the entrance style. They’re covering 50 yards with very few seconds and so it can stretch even the best dancers. - K

### **Season 13**

**(13.8)**

* Does Tara seem a little off tonight? – K/ I thought that, too.
* I think you’re a little bit boring. You’ve got to dance bigger. When I see you next to Tasha, she’s kicking your butt. – Kitty Carter
* I thought she was cute tonight. – Nick Florez/ I thought she looked like a wet noodle. – Kitty Carter/ Tara was looking better last year. – K/ Fix your hair, do something. – Kitty/ That’s fixable. – Nick/ She’s a veteran. She should know better. You don’t walk into a rock star master class when you know it’s a cut night looking like you rolled out of bed. I just think it’s so disrespectful. – Kitty/ Kitty, I’m worried we’re not going to get your opinion. – Nick

**(13.11)**

* [Cameos] Tara looks awesome. – J
* What is this? – J
* Tara’s the one messing up. – J

**(13.12)**

* I haven’t watched Tara once. – K
* I just think she’s lost some of her edge from last year. – Jennifer/ She has. – K/ I thought last year she was so dynamic and powerful. – Jennifer/ How do you weigh in on releasing a veteran in training camp? – K/ I hate it. I understand it. – Jennifer
* [After cut] Tonight was extra hard because we released Tara and she’s a veteran, and we rarely release veterans in training camp. I’d like to see Tara come back to auditions next year stronger, certainly that this training camp, and even stronger than her rookie year. – K

## **Office Visits**

### **Season 13**

**(13.8)**

* [End of episode, first of two] Kelli tells her she’s not being noticed like she should be. Also, her face almost looked a little swollen, and they went back and noticed she’s heavier than she was last year. Judy says that something seems different and out of character for her. Kelli says she doesn’t look like the fresh, feisty one in the room, and instead looks worn out and tired. Even though she’s not getting noticed, she can. Some of it might be hair, and prefers it at a shorter length. Tara says she’ll cut it. Kelli also wants them to look at her base, because it looks kind of muddy. Tara thinks it’s also her spray tan. Kelli asks in disbelief if she’s spraying her face, and Tara says she forgot to cover her face today, and didn’t have time to wash it off before rehearsal. Kelli tells her not to tan her face, to get a hair appointment, and that next time there’s a guest choreographer, they want them to notice her.

**(13.11)**

* [End of episode, first of three] Kelli feels like Tara’s not quite 100% in. Tara’s not sure – maybe it was her job stressing her out. And then she got called in, and that’s where she fell off, and felt very defeated. Tara agrees with Kelli that they should be honest with her, and she does appreciate their feedback. Kelli tells her that she was at a stronger performance place last year. This isn’t a threat – they don’t want to release her, and if they did, they would have at auditions. They need her to get back on the horse. If she can’t bring her “A”-game, then it’s a conversation she doesn’t want to have. Tara’s 100% in, and wants to move forward stronger than ever.

**(13.12)**

* [Mid episode, only office visit] Kelli wants to make this conversation as honest as they can. They have to make their final roster decisions. For some reason, they don’t think she’s giving them her “A”-game. They respectfully think she’s in a slump, and hope she can understand how they came to this. Kelli’s sorry, but this is going to be her last night. It’s a tough decision for them. Tara says she doesn’t know what to say. She’d been getting positive feedback that she was making improvement, so she’s not sure what’s changed. Kelli says it’s that they’re not getting the same performance signals as the previous year. Tara tries to get them to reconsider, but Kelli says the decision’s final. Tara asks if there’s nothing she can do, and Kelli says to come back. Tara responds, “Tomorrow?”, as they laugh. Tara begins crying and says this is heartbreaking. Kelli and Judy get up and hug Tara.

## **End of Journey**

### **Season 13**

**(13.12)**

* Cut early during week nine of training camp (6th of 9 cuts, 39 left afterwards)

## **Other**

### **Season 12**

**(12.1)**

* Shown dancing when Melissa Rycroft mentions getting excited by seeing a great dancer

**(12.2)**

* Shown dancing when Judy says she’s looking for a technical dancer with a lot of power, who has a lot of punch, and is able to learn quickly.
* Shown being invited to Finals

**(12.3)**

* Correctly states that Jerry Jones is being inducted into the Hall of Fame, this year, at panel interviews
* Solo performance is shown
* Shown being invited to Training Camp

**(12.4)**

* [Together with Savannah] Tells Kelli how much better the locker room is here than what they had with the Jets

**(12.6)**

* Shown introducing herself to Meredith Land at media training

**(12.8)**

* Name dropped by Gina as one of the TCC’s she’s closest to during her office visit, and when Kelli asks her what she knows about Tara, personally, that Kelli wouldn’t know, Gina cannot respond.

**(12.10)**

* In her office visit, Gina mentions how she is close with Tara and Savannah (who are from the East Coast), and together they form a “coast-to-coast” squad.

**(12.12)**

* The judges scores can be seen on her audition photo: 15 yeses (and nothing else)

(**12.13)**

* Locker room cameo photo shown

### **Season 13**

**(13.4)**

* Shown posing for the calendar shoot

**(13.7)**

* She falls during show group auditions

**(13.11)**

* On the board, it can be seen that she’s received stickers from 3 of 6 evaluators (Judy, Melissa Rycroft, and Nick Florez)
* She’s shown dancing while Judy gives a confessional saying they had veterans stealing the show in a bad way

## **Misc.**

* Former New York Jets Flight Crew cheerleader
* Dallas Mavericks D-Town Crew dancer post-DCC