Destination ‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Chelsea Traille, the morning after

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During a conference call with the media this morning, recently eliminated ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ contestant Chelsea Traille was ready to take up the issue of her alleged floral kleptomania. ‘I’m Jamaican and I just love beautiful flowers!’ she said, laughing.

Of all of the choreographers on the show, Chelsea has a special place in her heart for Mia Michaels. Long before SYTYCD, Chelsea was insecure about her dancing, and Mia set her straight. Chelsea was at a dance event with Mia Michaels and hundreds of other girls. ‘[Mia] actually called me up onto the stage,’ exclaimed Chelsea. ‘She said, ‘I want you to watch this girl walk.’ . . . That really helped my confidence, even at a young age.’

And anybody who watched Chelsea on the show knows she never appeared to be lacking in the confidence department. One thing Chelsea did learn on the show, however, ‘was how to go about working with people.’

Another lesson Chelsea learned on SYTYCD came courtesy of Mia Michaels. ‘I want you to bleed me dry of all the information I have for you,’ Mia told the dancers, adding, ‘I expect the best from every single one of you. Anything less is not sufficient.’ Chelsea said that Mia’s words really resonated with her.

So, how does Chelsea feel about her ouster? From what I can tell, not at all regretful. ‘The one thing I find peace with is that I did everything I could possibly do,’ Chelsea said. ‘I felt that I shined in my own way.’

-- Stephanie Lysaght