I don't really understand it. I'm no dance expert but I don't think Claudia has done so badly throughout the series. Don't get what the problem with him is.
Why is everyone so hard on AJ?!
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I don't think anyone is being hard on AJ , are they ? For a young, newly turned Professional, he is doing an admirable job with Claudia.
I definitely think AJ has improved as a pro in terms of the dancing side. Initially I felt he was very focused on how he looked in the dance and giving himself great moments, but I feel he's become far more Claudia focused as the show has gone on. He's really young and new to the show so he's going to take time to bed in. My problem is that I can't figure out his real personality as I feel he acts a lot when he's on screen. I don't feel I'm seeing the real AJ, but again that may be a young lack of confidence thing
Originally Posted by halfnelson2709:
“I definitely think AJ has improved as a pro in terms of the dancing side. Initially I felt he was very focused on how he looked in the dance and giving himself great moments, but I feel he's become far more Claudia focused as the show has gone on. He's really young and new to the show so he's going to take time to bed in. My problem is that I can't figure out his real personality as I feel he acts a lot when he's on screen. I don't feel I'm seeing the real AJ, but again that may be a young lack of confidence thing”
“I definitely think AJ has improved as a pro in terms of the dancing side. Initially I felt he was very focused on how he looked in the dance and giving himself great moments, but I feel he's become far more Claudia focused as the show has gone on. He's really young and new to the show so he's going to take time to bed in. My problem is that I can't figure out his real personality as I feel he acts a lot when he's on screen. I don't feel I'm seeing the real AJ, but again that may be a young lack of confidence thing”
No. he's not acting, its the real AJ. Genuinely nice guy.
Originally Posted by Jennifer_F:
“I don't think anyone is being hard on AJ , are they ? For a young, newly turned Professional, he is doing an admirable job with Claudia.”
“I don't think anyone is being hard on AJ , are they ? For a young, newly turned Professional, he is doing an admirable job with Claudia.”
Well said Jennifer. There's obviously the odd critic as always but I think generally he's very popular (I would imagine the youngsters at home love him) and having the time of his life. He's got Claudia all this way so he must be doing something right! He's gaining experience in terms of choreography all the time. I love the fact that it's his first chance to dance the AT this week. He's a refreshing addition to the show.
Originally Posted by GoinGaga:
“Well said Jennifer. There's obviously the odd critic as always but I think generally he's very popular (I would imagine the youngsters at home love him) and having the time of his life. He's got Claudia all this way so he must be doing something right! He's gaining experience in terms of choreography all the time. I love the fact that it's his first chance to dance the AT this week. He's a refreshing addition to the show.”
“Well said Jennifer. There's obviously the odd critic as always but I think generally he's very popular (I would imagine the youngsters at home love him) and having the time of his life. He's got Claudia all this way so he must be doing something right! He's gaining experience in terms of choreography all the time. I love the fact that it's his first chance to dance the AT this week. He's a refreshing addition to the show.”
Glad you think so, so do I !!
I don't like AJ because he is not doing Claudia any favours, his dances are a little bit too much about him. He does seem inexperienced as far as displaying his partners abilities. She's a gymnast and she should be spectacular but she isn't, but sure as eggs is eggs AH gets to show off every time.
Originally Posted by Hamlet77:
“I don't like AJ because he is not doing Claudia any favours, his dances are a little bit too much about him. He does seem inexperienced as far as displaying his partners abilities. She's a gymnast and she should be spectacular but she isn't, but sure as eggs is eggs AH gets to show off every time.”
“I don't like AJ because he is not doing Claudia any favours, his dances are a little bit too much about him. He does seem inexperienced as far as displaying his partners abilities. She's a gymnast and she should be spectacular but she isn't, but sure as eggs is eggs AH gets to show off every time.”
I'm not sure why being a gymnast should make her spectacular? Most gymnastics routines that I see have the gymnasts toned ( or quite stiff) tumbling, vaulting etc ...far removed from ballroom dancing. She is doing a great job and that is all credit to AJ.
He's quite good and I hope they give him another series (as I think they should do with all of the professional dancers). He's been lumbered with some awful songs and even worse costumes and themes.
I like him and have really enjoyed his choreography. He's done a better job than many of the seasoned pros.
I don't think it's being hard on AJ to criticise or not like Claudia and AJ's dances. Other than their Charleston, which I loved, I struggle to remember what they danced when I'm reminded they're in the show, i.e. next up is Claudia and AJ. Oh yeah, them. Or a final look at the leaderboard and their names are there, though it's getting easier the fewer couples that are left.
I remember a row of brightly coloured lockers as part of their set and I think it was a Foxtrot. As I'm writing I can't remember what they danced on Halloween Week. I do remember they danced the Samba, but for the wrong reasons in that there was too much content for her and it was too fast for her (actually agreeing with some of the judges for once).
I don't think it's his youth or his experience, I think it could be them being pegged as the "youth" of the competition and them living up to it.
I remember a row of brightly coloured lockers as part of their set and I think it was a Foxtrot. As I'm writing I can't remember what they danced on Halloween Week. I do remember they danced the Samba, but for the wrong reasons in that there was too much content for her and it was too fast for her (actually agreeing with some of the judges for once).
I don't think it's his youth or his experience, I think it could be them being pegged as the "youth" of the competition and them living up to it.
I love his positivity - he praises Claudia all the time and it's lovely to see. We could all do with a bit of AJ positivity sometimes.
I do think that maybe sometimes he gives Claudia a little too much to do, feeling that she can cope when it may be just a little bit too much for her.
But they seem like a really great couple and I hope they get to the final because I think their showdance would be amazing.
I do think that maybe sometimes he gives Claudia a little too much to do, feeling that she can cope when it may be just a little bit too much for her.
But they seem like a really great couple and I hope they get to the final because I think their showdance would be amazing.
I love Claudia and AJ. I thought their Halloween dance was brilliant. I've watched it back many times. I want them to win the show.
I think there has just been a tiny bit of a backlash against Claudia and AJ this week - people not happy about her being overmarked and she beat a very popular couple in the DO. I also think people saw her below par jive and forgot just how good she is.
On the whole though I think they are generally recognised to be a very strong couple who have probably only very narrowly missed out on a 10 somewhere along the line. Someone with more dance knowledge than me is going to have to explain what stopped them getting a 10 in their Charleston, the judges didn't have a bad word to say about it and were absolutely raving about it.
They are my favourite couple, and I think AJ does a really good job (especially considering the awful music given to them.) As much as people have criticised AJ's choreography, it has also received praise from the judges (even Craig.)
On the whole though I think they are generally recognised to be a very strong couple who have probably only very narrowly missed out on a 10 somewhere along the line. Someone with more dance knowledge than me is going to have to explain what stopped them getting a 10 in their Charleston, the judges didn't have a bad word to say about it and were absolutely raving about it.
They are my favourite couple, and I think AJ does a really good job (especially considering the awful music given to them.) As much as people have criticised AJ's choreography, it has also received praise from the judges (even Craig.)
I've enjoyed Claudia and AJ this series but not sure anything AJ could do could compete with the Top 2 and the Top 2 "entertainers" - putting them squarely in the middle of the pack.
However, just seen a training clip for Saturday and if AJ has Claudia in ballroom tango hold for even one bar of their Argentine Tango, I will move firmly into the AJ needs more experience to be a professional on Strictly!!
However, just seen a training clip for Saturday and if AJ has Claudia in ballroom tango hold for even one bar of their Argentine Tango, I will move firmly into the AJ needs more experience to be a professional on Strictly!!
*obligatory "If I was on AJ I wouldn't be soft" joke*
AJ strikes me as a good pro, but one that needs a series or two to calm down. I genuinely think he's a nice guy, and I think he and Claudia get on well, but there's occasionally an air of desperation in his choreography (although I don't think being told "HERE, YOUR FIRST CELEB IS AN ARTISTIC GYMNAST, NO PRESSURE" has helped, any pro would feel that strain).
AJ strikes me as a good pro, but one that needs a series or two to calm down. I genuinely think he's a nice guy, and I think he and Claudia get on well, but there's occasionally an air of desperation in his choreography (although I don't think being told "HERE, YOUR FIRST CELEB IS AN ARTISTIC GYMNAST, NO PRESSURE" has helped, any pro would feel that strain).
Originally Posted by Amaluna:
“Because he's a bit smug, is the short answer.”
“Because he's a bit smug, is the short answer.”
Agree with this.
Can't abide the constant grinning at the camera and looking at himself in monitors.
To me he comes over as loving his own reflection.
He doesn't listen to criticism (i.e. The speed and complexity of various dances), because he's dancing to promote himself and not working to get the best from his partner.
I love him and it was genuity introducing a younger pro with his debut with Claudia seeing a perfect match. He is beautiful, fit (strength wise) and talented...3 reasons to hate on him good luck to the lad.
I always assumed the pro was meant to teach the celeb and showcase them each week, AJ seems more preoccupied with showcasing himself.
Originally Posted by boab34:
“he's not as good as the other pros on the show
+ he's showcasing himself instead of Claudia”
“he's not as good as the other pros on the show
+ he's showcasing himself instead of Claudia”
You're the third FM to have said this on the thread. I don't see that one bit. I also dont see how he's not as good as the others. Considering his age, relative inexperience and (maybe) lack of savvy in the showbiz world, he's doing OK. What's better, in any team, than a blend of youth and experience?
All this showcasing himself is utter nonsense IMO. First of all he was too young, then people thought he'd be another Jared - which he clearly hasn't been as he has choreographed well, pushed Claudia and given her harder steps/ choreography. Now all those criticisms have been answered he is now showing off? Utter nonsense.
He's been a good addition IMO and coped well with very dodgy song choices. Also coping with a partner who's height size cannot be easier to accomodate
He's been a good addition IMO and coped well with very dodgy song choices. Also coping with a partner who's height size cannot be easier to accomodate
Originally Posted by yohinnchild:
“All this showcasing himself is utter nonsense IMO. First of all he was too young, then people thought he'd be another Jared - which he clearly hasn't been as he has choreographed well, pushed Claudia and given her harder steps/ choreography. Now all those criticisms have been answered he is now showing off? Utter nonsense.
He's been a good addition IMO and coped well with very dodgy song choices. Also coping with a partner who's height size cannot be easier to accomodate”
“All this showcasing himself is utter nonsense IMO. First of all he was too young, then people thought he'd be another Jared - which he clearly hasn't been as he has choreographed well, pushed Claudia and given her harder steps/ choreography. Now all those criticisms have been answered he is now showing off? Utter nonsense.
He's been a good addition IMO and coped well with very dodgy song choices. Also coping with a partner who's height size cannot be easier to accomodate”
All this and more.....well done AJ.
I also think he is well suited to Claudias personality, he is a real gentleman, showering her with praise all the time. He's doing a splendid job for someone so young and relatively experienced on the show
Originally Posted by yohinnchild:
“All this showcasing himself is utter nonsense IMO. First of all he was too young, then people thought he'd be another Jared - which he clearly hasn't been as he has choreographed well, pushed Claudia and given her harder steps/ choreography. Now all those criticisms have been answered he is now showing off? Utter nonsense.
He's been a good addition IMO and coped well with very dodgy song choices. Also coping with a partner who's height size cannot be easier to accomodate”
“All this showcasing himself is utter nonsense IMO. First of all he was too young, then people thought he'd be another Jared - which he clearly hasn't been as he has choreographed well, pushed Claudia and given her harder steps/ choreography. Now all those criticisms have been answered he is now showing off? Utter nonsense.
He's been a good addition IMO and coped well with very dodgy song choices. Also coping with a partner who's height size cannot be easier to accomodate”
I agree with all of the above.
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