Cat Deeley on So You Think You Can Dance Season 8: "Dance Is the Narrative, But It's the Human Element That People Identify With"

Cat Deeley said it plainly: "Dance is the narrative that runs through the show, but I think it's really about the human element — discovering people'…" — and Premier Guide Miami was in the room when it happened.

Back for an eighth season, So You Think You Can Dance kicked off with a two-hour premiere on Thursday, May 26 (8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Hosted by Cat Deeley, the hit dance competition series featured resident judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy, as well as guest judges Robin Antin, Lil C, Tyce Diorio, Toni Redpath, and Jason Gilkison. Daedrian McNaughton caught up with Cat before she dashed off to serve as royal correspondent for CNN for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Why is So You Think You Can Dance so successful?

CAT DEELEY: Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate the huge success of the show. I never thought we'd be here going into Season Eight. That's all down to the audience at home who sit and watch us — while they are still passionate about the show, we'll keep giving it to them. But I think the success of the show is due to — of course, the dancing is amazing and we want talented and passionate individuals who are prepared to work hard — but dance is the narrative that runs through the show. I also think it's about the human element: discovering people's stories and trials and tribulations and their sense of humor and things that happen in their lives. That's what the audience at home really identify with. Dance is a narrative that runs through, but it stands to the great characters that we find and the casting that happens too. That's what makes people get up off their sofas and pick up the phone and vote.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: What are some of your expectations going into Season Eight?

CAT DEELEY: My big expectation is I want to see something different. Every single year we raise the bar, and what the dancers are really getting a grip with is that we need to see their personalities too — something a little bit different. Whether that's doing eight pirouettes instead of five or mixing a Samba with a little bit of Breaking, we're looking for uniqueness. We want something that says, "Wow, I've never seen that before." I think the dancers have properly grasped that this year. We've seen some great people mix up all different styles and do it in a really unique and individual way. When somebody takes your breath away and does something completely unique and creative and uses their imagination — that's always something I really look forward to seeing.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: What will you bring this season as the host?

CAT DEELEY: Our big thing is that I have to bring out the personalities of the kids as quickly as we can, because we want the audience to identify with them as soon as possible — then they care more and they tune in more. For me, it's all about bringing out their personality. As I see it, my role is big sister, cheerleader — someone who encourages them. When the chips are down and things are a success, I pat them on the back. When things don't go quite as well, I give them a squeeze and we go right. As in life, we all face different struggles and challenges, and sometimes we succeed and sometimes we don't. When we don't, we actually learn more than when we do. My job is to rally them around and say, "Right, okay, come on — confidence back. Let's work harder, let's take this constructive criticism and let's move on."

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: What does it take to be a good host?

CAT DEELEY: I was never a dancer and I can't name technical terms or discuss performances in a technical way, but my role as I see it is the every man sitting at home. If I don't know what a dance move is, I'll ask the questions. I'm the go-between between the world of dance and everybody sitting at home who may have never taken a dance class in their life. I love human beings — for two reasons: I love chatting, and I'm incredibly nosy. Between the two, I just really enjoy the show. To see somebody so talented doing something I could never in my wildest dreams imagine doing just fills me with awe. I think the best thing a host can do is be genuine and be themselves and trust that the right question is going to come to you at the right moment.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Do you find it hard to say goodbye to contestants you've grown close to?

CAT DEELEY: Yes. I'd be a pretty strange human being to not in some way become emotionally attached to certain people. As in everyday life, there are obviously people you find it easier to make a connection with than others. But we're also very good at leaving the door open. What we don't want to do is take ordinary people, put them in this extraordinary world, and then just leave them floundering after the show is over. We're very aware of our responsibility — the fact that we elevate these dancers to a position where the general public knows their names. We want them to go on and have fantastic careers. So we very much leave the door always open so they can come and talk to us about their careers, contracts, or even personal issues. It never really feels like goodbye forever, which is a really good way to be.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: As the host, why do you pay such close attention to the auditions?

CAT DEELEY: When we go to all the different cities, I'm very rarely in the audition room because my specific job at that point is to get the stories out of people as much as possible — their back stories, their characters and personalities. So for me, it's a great time when we get to Vegas to sit and watch everybody. I know exactly what their styles are, what their solos are all about. Then I can fit all the pieces of the puzzle together. If I'm talking to them during Vegas Week and they've been extremely challenged by ballroom or contemporary, I can say, "Yes, but your breaking style is this." It forms a more well-rounded picture. Watching dancers who have a certain level of naivety but are still incredibly passionate and massively talented — watching their growth is incredibly interesting.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Are these dancers under extreme pressure to perform each year?

CAT DEELEY: Yes. It's not just about making a great TV show at Vegas Week — if they're going to make it through, they need to be ready for it. We need to know they can handle the different styles, that they're physically, emotionally, and mentally capable. And if you think about it, each person could potentially be there right at the very end. By the time you get to the finale, those kids are shattered — literally. They've done a million different styles. They're bruised, they're battered, they've worked so hard. We also need to make sure they can pull it off live. So it's always a tough week, but it's really interesting — watching those who are able to take the challenge and ride through it, and those for whom it just becomes too overwhelming.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Is there any dance style that has stood out to you this season?

CAT DEELEY: I think everybody is quite proud of the hip-hoppers and breakers this year because they've learned from previous seasons — they've taken constructive criticism and gone and learned new styles. For somebody who isn't technically trained, it's quite a big thing to turn around as a breaker — where you've learned your moves from YouTube or MTV or music videos or just from your friends — and then put yourself in a Samba class. That's a big deal. Yet they've done it, which shows just how dedicated they are and how much hard work they're prepared to put in. I think that's incredibly inspirational.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Going into Season Eight, do you have any personal favorites you'd love to see come back as an All Star?

CAT DEELEY: I love Dominic. I love his personality and how he combines humor with breakdancing and hip-hop — that's a really interesting fusion. I'd also love to see Alex Wong back at some point. I don't think he'd be able to make the show as a contestant because of his Achilles' tendon injury — I don't think he'd be able to do it without injuring himself again. But he has this huge following. He was such a great guy and so supremely talented that it would be lovely for him to come back on the show.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Is it easy to spot star quality?

CAT DEELEY: Going into Season Eight, I think we've gotten quite good at spotting that star quality — and it's difficult sometimes because it's kind of indefinable. It's that certain something special where you see somebody and for whatever reason, you can't quite take your eyes off them and they hold you. That's what we're always searching for. A brilliant example is Travis Wall. He didn't win Season Two — he was the runner-up — and yet he has developed into this amazingly creative choreographer that literally every time he does anything for the show, he blows my mind. We're so excited to have been a part of his journey. I think the dancers are wise to it now too — it's not just that you have to be the best technical dancer. You have to bring your personality, and that's the thing of star quality.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: What are some of the antics you'll be looking forward to from the judges this season?

CAT DEELEY: The big major change is that Mary Murphy's back, and to be perfectly honest, I can't wait. Mary has this enthusiasm that is completely infectious and she's just very positive. She puts a very positive spin on things. She doesn't take any rubbish from Nigel, and I think we missed her a little bit on the panel. So I'm so glad the hot tamale train is rolling back into town. I can't wait for some of the screams and the enthusiasm and the general witty repartee with Nigel.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: What is it like working with Nigel Lythgoe?

CAT DEELEY: He is crazy. I turn around sometimes and go, "Oh my goodness!" This man is 60 years old and he's running around, doing a trans-Atlantic flight every week. I don't know how he does it. I think he's definitely being buoyed by the success of American Idol. When Simon left, everybody was a little uncertain of how the show would be in its new format, but he's been buoyed by the success. I talk to people all the time and they love Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. I watched one result show where Hulk Hogan came on and Stevie Wonder sang "Happy Birthday" to Steven Tyler — and it was just great TV. The idea of making a great TV show is to surprise, delight, and entertain, and that show had it by the bucket-load. That's purely down to Nigel Lythgoe. He had a vision. He saw where he wanted to go with the show and he's done it while juggling our show — which is undoubtedly his passion project — and doing the show on the BBC too. I hold him in such high regard. He's an aspirational character. I just hope he keeps taking his vitamins and keeps moisturizing.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: How excited are you about covering the Royal Wedding for CNN?

CAT DEELEY: It's going to be good. I am nervous because there are so many people watching — I think on CNN there's going to be over 750 million people, and I'm hosting with Piers Morgan and Anderson Cooper. It's going to be a big day. But it's definitely not a challenge I would run away from. I just think it's going to always be one of those moments where you turn around and go, "Where were you when—?" I can't think of two finer gentlemen to be sharing the screen with on such a huge, momentous day.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: You were just a baby at the time of the last royal wedding. What can you remember from that?

CAT DEELEY: We had a big party in the back garden with all the kids from the neighborhood — a big long table, flags hanging in the trees, lots of jelly and ice cream and cream. There are certain images that are definitely ingrained in my mind, but I just remember more the feeling of the day and how much fun it was — this feeling of hope and joy and the fairy tale and all those kinds of things. So hopefully it will be exactly the same this time.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: You'll be making a guest appearance on Dresscue Me on Planet Green?

CAT DEELEY: Yes, with Shareen — because I love vintage clothes. I style myself on the show, so I do a whole mixture of high street, vintage, and designer too. I'm very aware my audience is predominantly 16 to 36 year olds or so. I want my fashion to be incredibly individual and fun. I want people to have an opinion about it, whether they love it or hate it. I also want it to be aspirational but also attainable — and one way you can do that is through vintage. It's something I love doing. I love hunting out the treasures and bargains.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Can you tell us about your involvement with Life's Too Short and what it's like to work with Ricky Gervais?

CAT DEELEY: I haven't done anything yet actually — we're talking schedules at the moment, so I can't really tell you anything about it yet. I love Ricky Gervais. I love his sense of humor. I think he's incredibly smart and bright and sarcastic and ironic and he has all those traits of English humor. So fingers crossed we manage to sort it out and get the schedule together.

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