Stars on Ice U.S. 2018

lola10 said:
Apparently Karen was a stand-in for Ashley during rehearsals...

Shape of You - Rehearsal

Nathan Chen and Karen Chen for Ice Dance in Beijing '22!!
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That's my video :) It was the most entertaining part of the rehearsal by far lol. I'm going to write up a review of the show and post all my pics once I recover from the long travel day :) It was a great show!

@el henry the guest performers usually only do one number.
 
TanithandBenFan said:
That's my video :) It was the most entertaining part of the rehearsal by far lol. I'm going to write up a review of the show and post all my pics once I recover from the long travel day :) It was a great show!

@el henry the guest performers usually only do one number.
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Thank you so much! It is really funny to watch. Thanks in advance for the review, as well!
 
Willin said:
Wow! It was that full? They kept calling me asking me to buy tickets as if they were desperate...
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Lower bowl in SJ was definitely full to the max, aside from the area just next to the skaters entrance. The cheers were literally deafening. The dad next to me was covering his little girl's ears, it was so loud. :lol:

My sister LOVED Jason! Didn't even notice there were no jumps in his program. I didn't expect his JT program to be so fun, and I was expecting a lot from Jason to begin with! :rofl: He was waaaay too chipper to be someone who was injured, hahahah. Someone take away his coffee...

She also loved Adam (of course) and enjoyed the Shibs' precision and D/W's Elastic Heart. She started to understand why ice dance is hard. ;)

I still really enjoy seeing Karen live. She has an energy that isn't quite as evident on TV. She went for triple lutzes in both programs - landed the first one fine but delayed the second too long and fell on that. (I was only paying attention because of the boot drama, not sure if she was already skating on Jacksons.)

The skaters who still need a bit of show skating experience were the youngins - Vincent and Bradie. Nathan has a definite spark, I think he needs to skate to more rock music in his competitions. :lol:

All in all, a really fun show!
 
el henry said:
I’m popping in to stick up for, of all people, Bradie Tennell. I went to “my” SOI show with no preconceptions, since I follow the men far more than the ladies. I found Bradie to be confident, assured, with real and growing performance chops. I was particularly impressed since in her programs, she didn’t have a “crutch” of sex and sizzle to sell it, but actually had to sell it.

Nobody laughed at my show, and I was impressed.:cheer2:
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I don't really get this idea that a 'flirty' number is somehow easier or requires less talent as a performer. Doing it well definitely requires good performance skills. How many dancers and pairs do programs that have the romantic/sensual aspect and lack the necessary chemistry? A lot of them. It may or may not have been your taste, but there aren't a lot of dance teams that could have done H/D's FD as well as they did.

Doing a "sexy" number is only easier to sell if it comes naturally to you/you're good at that kind of performance. For example, Kaetlyn Osmond's Edith Piaf SP was flirty. Do you think Bradie could have done it anywhere near as well as her at this point? I don't.

And that's not a dig at Bradie at all. But a flirty sexy number is not automatically "taking the easy road" in terms of how hard it is to sell it and I find that's kind of a dig at other skaters who like and are good at that style.
 
el henry said:
Thanks for the info; I certainly have not been following SOI as long as others. I do remember that Jason did two numbers as a guest performer in 2014, but of course we all know he’s special:lol:
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Didn’t Nathan also do 2 numbers as a guest performer last year? I can understand the disappointment if you’re attending for Vincent.
 
lurkz2 said:
Didn’t Nathan also do 2 numbers as a guest performer last year?
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Yes, both Nathan and Karen made their respective SOI debuts last year by performing in 6 of the 7 cities (minus the first stop in Florida) and each skated 2 solos. Vincent made his SOI debut as a guest skater last year in Anaheim only and performed one solo, IIRC.
 
RoseRed said:
I don't really get this idea that a 'flirty' number is somehow easier or requires less talent as a performer. Doing it well definitely requires good performance skills. How many dancers and pairs do programs that have the romantic/sensual aspect and lack the necessary chemistry? A lot of them. It may or may not have been your taste, but there aren't a lot of dance teams that could have done H/D's FD as well as they did.

Doing a "sexy" number is only easier to sell if it comes naturally to you/you're good at that kind of performance. For example, Kaetlyn Osmond's Edith Piaf SP was flirty. Do you think Bradie could have done it anywhere near as well as her at this point? I don't.

And that's not a dig at Bradie at all. But a flirty sexy number is not automatically "taking the easy road" in terms of how hard it is to sell it and I find that's kind of a dig at other skaters who like and are good at that style.
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Actually, H/D are probably not the best example for me. During both of their SOI programs, I found myself, not exactly yawning, but sort of thinking, well I don’t need to see that a second time. Just my opinion, and different strokes and all that....:D

I do not think it is “easy” to do a good job with a flirty program. But I was comparing Bradie’s programs to the other USA SOI programs, most of which were heavy on the sex and sass. By the same token, I think it is difficult to sell Cinderella compared to those programs, I think Bradie did sell Cinderella, and did it well in the show I attended.

Just one gal’s opinion.....
 
He was in the men's number that they billed as honoring all the mothers. Wearing a red vest. He skated first to start the show and was in that number and that was it. Not even in the finale number! He did come out once it was over and skated around with the rest of the cast.
 
I don't believe this blog review has been posted... "The He Said She Said Experience" husband-and-wife team wrote their annual review: http://thehesaidshesaidexperience.com/2018/05/stars-on-ice-2018-celebration/
They were at the Hershey, PA SOI show, according to their interview with Hubbell/Donohue that was published on May 7.
nimi said:
This YT channel has high quality fan cams of several solo & ensemble numbers (from the Orlando show I guess?)

Adam's "Remedy" doesn't have the original music though, apparently for copyright reasons
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@DreamSkates posted a link to Jason's fun Justin Timberlake number in Orlando in his fan thread tonight, which reminded me to post the individual links to the other April 7th Orlando SOI fan cam videos, published on April 22, from @nimi's link quoted above (minus Adam's "Remedy" due to the different music used):

"Raise Your Glass" opening number: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hmt3x9gCNw
Nathan's "Back from the Edge": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mwal5T5ras
Ashley's "I Am Here": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJjHuC3zaOg
Meryl/Charlie's "Hold Your Hand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-0AScceLng
"Shape of You" dance group number: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5xOSfnyxAo
Jason's "Can’t Stop the Feeling!": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcdlSe2Z8eY
Mirai's "No Good Deed": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdlOfz6yHqM
"Feel It Still" men's group number: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXbVwmq71D4
Adam's "Let Me Think About It": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpZFmO2uWEQ
Maia/Alex's "That's Life" (Jay-Z part): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZdZWzv1pwU
Nathan's "Nemesis": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgVoa5j-2FI
"You Will Be Found" finale (final 2 mins. but very end got cut off): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rFXTxY8VoU

ETA:

2 fancams from the Milwaukee show (May 5):
Shibs' Fix You/Paradise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwfzdNoUuGQ
Feel It Still: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqCImL4ZFvI

3 fancams from the Phoenix show (May 11):
Feel It Still men's group number: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x09aSbUmSI0
Nathan's Back From the Edge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KegxnqVqdc
You Will Be Found finale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adQdmibzmTY

More fancams from the May 12th Anaheim show (all uploaded by 78won):
Vincent's Take On Me, choreo. by Josh Farris (guest appearance): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzNzXZGKzCA
Karen's Never Enough (30-second clip): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuMjmmsbZRQ
Mirai's Body Language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y48RVycSNi4
Shibs' Fix You/Paradise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsgGgaQR6Mk
Adam's Remedy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi1oh2-adTA
Nathan's Back From the Edge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK8bOANUQ3c
Shape of You dance group number: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdoGmXgB-4I
Shibs & Adam's transition piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5GU_ASYom8
Mirai's No Good Deed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icvSDUxpeag
Feel It Still: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noZdzUno1CI
Adam's Let Me Think About It: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgxaLUsGFqI
Shibs' That's Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W5L3QG-kb4
Nathan's Nemesis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS_CimOXaIE
Finale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feVipcmcusk
Skaters' names announced at end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vjIlNhc4Sc
YT account first mentioned here:
nimi said:
Another YT user with Anaheim vids: https://www.youtube.com/user/anniefengo/videos
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Clips from every program in the May 13th San Jose show have been edited together in these 2 videos:
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvhC5aUpzsM
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-wLy-2dglI

This show's program order:

Act I
“Raise Your Glass” P!nk Cast
“Take On Me” a-ha Vincent Zhou (guest skater)
“Never Enough” (from The Greatest Showman) Loren Allred Karen Chen
“The Room Where it Happens”* Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Jason Brown
“Body Language” Queen Mirai Nagasu
“That's Life” Frank Sinatra/Jay-Z Maia & Alex Shibutani
“Dream” Priscilla Ahn Karen Chen, Mirai Nagasu, Bradie Tennell, Ashley Wagner
“Remedy” Adele Adam Rippon
“Cinderella” Patrick Doyle Bradie Tennell
“Back from the Edge” James Arthur Nathan Chen
(Transition piece with Shibutanis & Rippon)
“Across the Sky/Caught out in the Rain” Rag 'n' Bone Man/Beth Hart Madison Hubbell & Zach Donohue
“I am Here” P!nk Ashley Wagner
“Hold my Hand” Jess Glynne Meryl Davis & Charlie White

Act II
“Shape of You” Ed Sheeran Meryl Davis, Madison Hubbell, Ashley Wagner Nathan Chen, Zach Donohue, Charlie White
“Can't Stop the Feeling!” Justin Timberlake Jason Brown
“Blow Your Mind (Mwah)” Dua Lipa Karen Chen
“Make me Feel” Janelle Monáe Madison Hubbell & Zach Donohue
“No Good Deed” (from Wicked) Idina Menzel Mirai Nagasu
“Feel it Still” Portugal. The Man Jason Brown, Nathan Chen, Zach Donohue, Adam Rippon, Alex Shibutani, Charlie White
“This is Me” The Greatest Showman Original Soundtrack Bradie Tennell
“Let me Think about It” Ida Corr vs. Fedde Le Grand Adam Rippon
“Fix You/Paradise” Coldplay Maia & Alex Shibutani
“La La Land” Original Soundtrack Ashley Wagner
“Elastic Heart” Sia Meryl Davis & Charlie White
“Nemesis” Benjamin Clementine Nathan Chen
“You Will be Found” Dear Evan Hansen Original Broadway Cast Cast
 
I wish there was a video of that transition piece with Hubbell/Donohue and Maia Shibutani. I really enjoyed that one.
 
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Announced as "local skaters, champions of the future, etc." a group of young to maybe high-school aged skaters, including one boy, skated before Act II.

From the skating club intro, where each club gave a mighty cheer, I could see/hear where the clubs were, and it was no surprise that Zhou, Nathan Chen, and, especially Karen Chen and Tennell were their great favorites. Nathan Chen's appeal spanned all demographics, and he skated like he was giving 200%. It seemed to be more of a mixed crowd than in the past, with more dating couples in their '20's and '30's, and not just us old ladies, and lots of people of all ages from the Asian-American community. While the jumps got their share of applause, and the crowd went wild over some of the dance lifts, every spin got enthusiastic applause, and scratch spins were the biggest and most sustained applause getters. It reminded me of 2003 Euros, when I sat next to a local tween and her mother, both of whom were new to skating, and they liked spins best of all.

Zhou, who was fluid and winsome to open -- although the shimmies, just no -- wasn't in the group numbers. Watching the men, I realized that Jeremy Abbott, among those who are still skating regularly, is the only one missing to make this the greatest set of US male movers/dancers I've ever seen. (There were others among the retired/mostly retired). White, Shibutani, Brown, Rippon, Donohue, and Chen all move very differently, but each is fantastic in his own way, alone or with their partners in solos and in group numbers. In the men's number, it was impossible to know which way to look.

I almost always watch Hubbell when she's skating with Donohue, and while I wish he'd temper some of the facial expressions -- his body movement alone is convincing and authentic enough -- he was a star among stars in this show. His ability to isolate, freeze, and accelerate would be notable on the floor, but on the ice, he was spectacular. There was something else, too: I remember in the last Champions on Ice tour, in the finale, Denis Petukhov partnered Qing Pang for a few phrases, and she just melted, showing more emotion than I'd ever seen from her. Last night, there were a few times that Donohue partnered other women, and each woman looked, for lack of a better word, hotter, and engaged differently with him. Maia Shibutani especially, and while I've always loved the Shibs together, and there is zero chance in hell they'd skate with other people, 30 seconds showed what could have been, because :smokin:. ETA: and then Donohue picked up a small kid at the end and skated around with kid: has he no shame :lol:.

I'm not a Nagasu fan, but I understand why people are so frustrated with her: she has the goods to be the best in show, just from her movement quality and her ability to project, but partway through, she flickered in and out of the deer-in-the-headlights look. (I wish I could channel some of Donohue's focus and theatricality to her.) Watching her in the group numbers, most often because of, I assume, height, she had an anxious look trying to keep her correct position in the pack, and in the opening group number, she glanced at the other skater in her line, looking anxious, too many times before the music started. It's such a shame, because she was that good when she was focused, which made her look like she was radiating confidence and ease. Karen Chen seemed always on an end, again, I assume, because she's short, and she was a total pro in the group numbers, moving beautifully and, if she was watching where she was, she didn't show it.

Wagner was terrific, the total package -- the pink, black, and silver dress in her second number was even more stunning than her usual stunning -- and so polished from neck to toe, but her hair was a mess. Generally, I don't care, but it was such a stark contrast to every other element of her skating and presentation. "Dream" made me sad for what could have been, as did the Knierims not being on the tour.

The men simply kicked butt: Chen, Rippon, and Brown so different and each so compelling. What terrific blade skills and body movement they showed! If I could have gotten to Portland, I'd have to see them again.

As did the dancers, where I was in heaven, because, for me, there can never be too much ice dance. I'm glad Davis and White continue to skate together. I loved their second number with the ribbon, and Davis looked especially beautiful in the plain-cut, pale dress with the long ombre skirt. This is the kind of program they couldn't do in competition and shows the influence of DWTS on their skating and their partnership. I realized that my favorite D/W programs were the ones where she was the strongest -- Sheherezade, Bollywood, Samson and Delilah, Gisele, Fledermaus -- because he has always been a :rockstar: for me, and she was always my wild card. The Shibs have been favorites of mine since the first time I saw them live -- I think SA in Everett? -- and fell in love with his blades, and it was so great to see them skate at this level. Hubbell and Donohue showed why they are world contenders: they have everything ice dance needs.

There was a group of six in the row in front of me, a parent, a youngish boy, and four girls in their early tweens maybe, one of them carrying a sign identifying themselves as the #shibssquad. She lifted it a little when the Shibs faced our section during bows: the sign was small, and without some battery pack-powered Christmas lights around it, unlikely to be seen in the darkness, but it was so sweet and humble. There was a group of half dozen men in their '20's in the row behind me, most of them sporting Adam Rippon's haircut, and when it was over, I heard one of them say, "Did you cry?," which made me laugh and cry at the same time.

Loved the group numbers, and it was the strongest show I've seen in years. <3 <3 <3.
 
Late to post.

I was at the Salt Lake Show on Wednesday. I agree that the quality of the whole show was very high.

Stars on Ice was in the Maverick Center - a great place to watch skating. I wish we could get the numbers that California does but we were pretty vocal. One lady sitting down the row was going nuts for Adam even before the show started - "I am SOOO excited". Luckily she didn't cause a ruckus during the show.

I saw earlier posts about Jason's ankle so we kept an eye on him. No real jumps, just strategic leaps where the jumps should be. Suits me fine. I think Jason could take over Scott Hamilton's role of "Mister Showman" in pro skating shows any time he wants to. He appeared to be having a ball all night.

It wasn't a great night for falls as most of the skaters had some sort of small mishap. Donohue tweeted about his - https://twitter.com/ZachTDonohue/status/997334620608675840?s=09 It was Ashley's birthday and Adam had the crowd shout "Happy Birthday" to her. Bradie seems to be getting some great experience with performing while on the tour. As I watched her, she reminded me a bit of Tenley Albright. As always we loved watching the Shibs and Charlie and Meryl.

It was really Nathan's night. The City made it Nathan Chen Day https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/997156004625354753 It was clear he was in his home town and happy to be there. The cheers were very loud and the standing ovation after Nemesis was well deserved. I was lucky enough to see Nemesis for the first time in competition at the "Classic" last September and was very happy to see it as a full on tour de force for this show. (I couldn't help but hear Shae Lyn in my mind saying "Now that's the way it should look".) Loved it.
 
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kwanfan1818 said:
It was really Nathan's night. The City made it Nathan Chen Day
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@A.H.Black, were you trying to link to the presentation video and article links posted in his fan thread? Direct link is: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/nathan-chen-slaythan-fans-thread.97713/page-25#post-5364142
ETA: @Firedancer posted the link in Nathan's fan thread to this 2+ minute video of the presentation to Nathan at the arena: https://twitter.com/sltribsports/status/996884444832186368

Here's the link to Zach Donohue's tweets looking for video of his fall in the SLC ;): https://twitter.com/ZachTDonohue/status/997334620608675840
https://twitter.com/ZachTDonohue/status/997357728250060800
So....last night i had a hilarious fall in our second number. If anyone has video of this, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dm me!

To clarify, lookin for the fall in “Make Me Feel” 🤪
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Thanks for your review and also to @kwanfan1818 for your detailed impressions! :)

Last show in Portland, OR is underway!
 
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Thanks for the heads up, Sylvia. When I first posted, they worked. Don't know what happened. I have fixed them so they are right in my post now.

There are also some nice articles in the Salt Lake Tribune, but you have to white list the site to read it - I don't do that.
 
　　Last night, there were a few times that Donohue partnered other women, and each woman looked, for lack of a better word, hotter, and engaged differently with him. Maia Shibutani especially, and while I've always loved the Shibs together, and there is zero chance in hell they'd skate with other people, 30 seconds showed what could have been, because :smokin:. 　　　
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When I saw that program in Detroit, I was struck by how beautiful Maia was - so much so that I decided to take a short clip at the next stop, Chicago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmZ6UAXoBo8&feature=youtu.be
 
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YukiNieve said:
When I saw that program in Detroit, I was struck by how beautiful Maia was - so much so that I decided to take a short clip at the next stop, Chicago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmZ6UAXoBo8&feature=youtu.be
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She really is beautiful skating with Zach and Madison. She moves so differently that even if you're all about Maia and Alex as a team going forward, you have to wonder how differently she would move if she skated with a non-sibling.
 
That's a wonderful clip of Maia and Zach and then Maia solo, @YukiNieve - thank you so much for filming and sharing it!

Clips & photos from the last show in Portland, OR yesterday:

Karen's "Never Enough": https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBrelaDMR-/
Maia/Alex's "That's Life": https://www.instagram.com/p/BjC5FTWjSQl/
Nathan's 4T in "Back from the Edge" (2 angles): https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBPECShMxX/ & https://www.instagram.com/p/BjB2RL5DQmU/
Dance group number (Nathan focus): https://www.instagram.com/p/BjB_WaTjLDj/
Mirai's "No Good Deed" (disregard hashtag - she does a 3Lo): https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBkqeDgmib/
Men's group number (3 angles): https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBkOYOgVMl/ ; https://www.instagram.com/p/BjB9h1qDaTT/ ; https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBmcyiF8WU/ (this person has more Nathan-centric clips from SLC, Seattle & Portland)
Final part of Adam's "Let Me Think About it" (2 angles): https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBozvWh3tW/ & https://www.instagram.com/p/BjDDS5jj8WS/
Shibutani's "Paradise" (#chens, oops ;)): https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBdLUsAq3b/
2 clips and 8 photos from the group's final bows: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBy8N2lCeA/

Good news - Jordan Cowan attended the Portland show and he previewed some pre-show on-ice clips of Mirai, Jason & Madi/Zach in his IG stories (watch while you still can!): https://www.instagram.com/stories/oniceperspectives/

Photos (9 total) of Ashley (2), great split jump by Karen, Meryl/Charlie, Maia (great expression)/Alex, Nathan, Mirai, group in finale (2): https://www.instagram.com/p/BjB_L_wn36u/?taken-by=jamiegunst
Photos (7 total) of Adam, Maia/Alex, Jason & Bradie: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBx4MGgH-T/
Ashley mid-split jump: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjCOlHZDKvt/
Photo of the final group bow: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjB0_qzDASE/
One happy fan's photos from the final meet-and-greet (all but Ashley): https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBzAdFA6fI/

ETA that many of the SOI skaters posted their thank you messages on IG (more links added as they are posted):
Nathan re-posted Zach D's: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjDGIDzgcqL/?taken-by=nathanwchen
Jason: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjDAqS8B2s_/?taken-by=jasonbskates
Karen: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjByGoyh7o_/?taken-by=karebearsk8 & her 2nd post: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjDe8d_BVFU/?taken-by=karebearsk8
Madison: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjA_n2OljcK/?taken-by=splashmadison
Maia: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBbXjOBBFX/?taken-by=maiashibutani
ShibSibs: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjDOu3ZFUzR/?taken-by=shibsibs
Meryl: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjDdS1_HsPa/?taken-by=meryledavis
Bradie: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjEPt4ajHik/?taken-by=bradietennell
Vincent: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjEFKopBb4S/?taken-by=govincentzhou

Ashley & Madi singing and emoting to Karen's "Never Enough" in the Portland pre-show :lol:: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjAwIhtgtxW/?taken-by=ashwagner2010
 
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