Episode 11 Taking the Next Step

The sun is rising on the final chapter of a truly epic journey.

1,300 dancers applied.

Over 200 came to our regional auditions.

I'd just like to say, Sam...

But only the best won a place at nationals...

..with just six of those earning a ticket to Canada.

ALL: We're going to Canada! WOO!

6,000 kilometres...

..and several gruelling challenges later...

Five, six, seven...

No, because you're not listening to me,

-so I'm not going to listen to you.

-No, I'm not doing this any more.

But I am a good dancer though!

Unfortunately, you won't be going through to the next round.

..our final six have now become three.

The pressure is definitely on.

For Khyrese, Erin and Joe, the dream of a guest role on The Next Step...

Action.

..is now one acting challenge

and one solo dance performance away

from becoming a reality.

So who will claim the ultimate prize?

The winner is...

Welcome to the grand final of Taking The Next Step.

THEY CHEER

Finalists Joe, Khyrese and Erin,

huge congratulations on making it this far.

How are you feeling? ALL: Excited.

-Really?

-A little bit nervous as well.

-That's normal.

-It's the final!

-It is the final.

Kimberly, I think it's safe to say

the pressure is officially on, isn't it?

The pressure is definitely on.

Remind yourself of all those amazing mini-victories

and before each challenge, be proud and fearless as you deliver.

Today, Joe, Erin and Khyrese will have to shine

in two separate challenges.

First up, an acting challenge.

This will see each of our final three stars

in a scene alongside Next Step regulars, Amanda and Richelle.

And cut.

Then a last chance to dance.

A final solo performance in front of our judges.

Casting his expert eye over the first challenge,

it's none other than the creator of The Next Step, Frank van Keeken.

You will be playing Cooper,

Amanda's cousin visiting from England,

and you have decided to come to the studio cos you're a dancer.

You have to convince her you need to be able to stay there that day.

So, guys, all the challenges that we've done so far,

all those improv sessions,

this is where all of that has to come into play, OK?

But right now, we'd like you to go to Hair and Make-up

and get yourselves ready

and we'll call you back in when we are ready to shoot.

-Thanks, guys.

-Cheers.

Is there anything you're looking for specifically?

I am looking for genuineness.

It's hard to be yourself when you're nervous.

I think the person who can be the most relaxed and in it

has the best chance.

For our final three,

it's been a tough journey getting to the Grand Final.

-Hello.

-What's your name?

My name is Joe.

-Hi, Erin.

-Hello.

I'm Khyrese.

-Hi, Khyrese.

-Hello.

Erin, Khyrese and Joe all divided opinion at our regional auditions.

Joe, I'm not a fan of the stank face thing.

I don't get it.

I didn't feel like you had the edge that I would want.

It's going to be the fight of your life.

But they all found their feet at nationals.

-Yeah, but you know we're going to kill it!

-You know it.

Guys, it's Khyrese.

That's what it's meant to look like.

Erin and Molly, please come to the stage.

Since arriving in Canada, the trio have continued to develop and grow.

This might be the last time I get to dance for The Next Step.

We need to be gassed.

-Gassed!

-You're going through to the next round.

But securing that guest role on The Next Step

will be their toughest challenge yet.

I definitely think this is the hardest journey

that I've had to take as a dancer

because I've never ever done something like this.

Because it's so close now, I really, really want to win.

And now I'm the only girl left,

I'm just going to do it for the girls.

Have a bit of girl power.

This experience is, like,

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.

Feeling, like, very nervous because it's the final

and I want to do my best, impress the judges and hopefully win.

I know there's still a final to go.

The job isn't done yet.

I just want to keep myself hungry

and know that I'll go out fighting for that title.

With costumes, hair and make-up sorted...

Yeah, I love it. Thank you.

You're welcome.

..it's time to take centre stage.

The acting challenge will be taking place in Miss Kate's office.

Next Step studio owner, Miss Kate,

otherwise known as professional dancer and choreographer,

Bree Wasylenko, will be joining the judging panel for today's final.

So, who will succeed in bringing Cooper to life

when the pressure is really on?

102, take one.

It's lights, camera...

Action.

Amanda. What's up, cousin?

Cooper, I know you're following me.

And? Aren't I allowed to follow in the footsteps

of my amazing, talented cousin?

OK, freeze. Cooper, take a step to your right.

Action.

Don't worry, it'll be like no-one's there.

I just want to spend a day at the studio and live my dream, you know?

No, no, no, no, you're not staying. I'm not even going to be here.

I have other stuff to do and you know that.

Well, Richelle could look after me.

Yeah, it's no worries.

Fine, but don't bother anyone.

And do not, I repeat, do not talk to Riley.

OK. Don't talk to Riley, don't bother anyone.

See, piece of cake, I've got it already.

Don't worry, it'll be fine.

Good, and head on out.

The acting challenge was a lot of fun.

I just tried to expand my ideas and try new things every take.

I'm really proud of my performance,

especially how I'm not, like, an A-star actor.

Can we have Erin come around, please?

Marker.

-Hi.

-Cooper, I know you're following me.

But you've just told me so much about this place,

I just wanted to come and see it.

OK, freeze. We're going to give you a little note -

not to move around as much. Same energy.

Maybe I could spend the day here?

No, no, no, no. You're going to bug people.

No, no. I swear, this is the last time I'll ever bug anybody.

-Please?

-I can't, Cooper. I'm not even going to be here.

-You know I have stuff to do.

-I'll just sit in the corner.

-You won't hear me.

-I'll take care of her.

-Yeah!

-It's no problem.

-Fine.

-Yes!

-Don't bother anyone.

-Oh, I won't.

And do not, I repeat, do not talk to Riley.

Oh, no, I won't talk to Riley, no.

It was amazing to think that we actually acted with the characters

because they're, like, an inspiration to me.

So now I've had a taste of what it's like, I just want to go back

and do it again. I don't want to stop, it's so fun to do.

Let's have Joe come on in. Marker.

The studio is so big.

You've told me quite a lot and I've been waiting to come here.

I just followed you round. I thought I'd come in.

But I just want to ask you, like, can you let me stay for a day

and be in, like, The Next Step Studio?

It'll be a great thing for me.

I want you to be more casual, because she's your cousin,

you know her. Here we go.

Richelle will be next to me the whole time.

She'll be showing me around.

-I'll take care of him.

-Yeah.

I won't talk to anyone. I'll just sit in the corner,

just look around and just speak to myself.

Please? Please, Amanda?

Fine, but don't bother anyone.

-I won't, I swear.

-And do not, I repeat, do not talk to Riley.

I won't talk to Riley.

The only person I'll be talking to is Richelle

-because she's showing me around, so it's all right.

-OK.

-Don't make me regret this.

-Thank you so much.

Thank you. Thank you.

I was a bit nervous at the beginning,

but it's all a good experience.

I want to be on the set, I want to be with all the actors,

I want to be out there acting and dancing

-because that's what I like to do.

-And cut.

Even though these scenes were small, there was a lot of tension.

-There was a lot of pressure.

-I think they've all done an incredible job

and as a judge, I'm really proud of all the kids.

It was a really great challenge

because that is very true to how we shoot The Next Step.

They got to experience that first-hand.

They rose to the challenge.

We have some tough deliberations ahead of us.

-Yeah.

-We do indeed.

-A big day.

Yes, a big day.

Well, there we go. Challenge One done and they all seem pretty happy.

On to Challenge Two.

This is your final challenge.

You've gone full circle.

We're going back to the solos.

This one dance will be your last chance to show us

all that you've learned throughout this entire process.

So I want to see that growth emotionally,

as a performer and in your dancing.

So go ahead and get warmed up.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-See you guys soon.

-Good luck.

Thank you. KHYRESE: Let's do this, guys.

The pressure to perform the perfect solo

is weighing on the minds of our final three.

They're going to decide who the winner is today

-out of the whole show.

-Oh, my...

But Myles and Devon, who play Noah and Max,

have come up with a plan to deal with any nerves.

I think you guys are a little nervous,

so you should probably blow off some steam.

Yeah. You know what? Don't worry about the contest,

I think we need to go to Studio A and do a little bit of dancing.

-Yeah!

-Follow us.

-Let's do it.

It's a dream come true for every Next Step fan -

a chance to be a part of A Troupe, even if it's only for a day.

MUSIC: Stand Up by Jessica Lee and Kit Knows

It was crazy actually dancing with them, we were all dancing together.

That was probably my favourite.

It made my dreams come true and it was the best day.

I'll never forget that.

I was feeling so excited, and a little bit nervous as well.

You're watching them on TV and you're dancing with them on the set.

I was just so overwhelmed.

To dance with the cast members was great.

The vibe and energy...

It was just one of the best feelings.

# Stand up! #

It's yet another memory to treasure

from a week that's already provided plenty.

Selfie!

The wait is almost over.

The whole journey's just been like mixed emotions.

Yeah, there's just going to be a lot of emotion.

For one of these three, the next few minutes could be life-changing.

Sorry, guys. Khyrese, ready for you.

-Good luck, man.

-Let's go, bro.

-Smash it!

-Let's go, bro.

When one person goes, you're like...

It's already scary.

Our finalists are about to face the judges for the last time.

They have just one more chance to prove to those judges that

they deserve the guest role on The Next Step.

First to perform, it's Khyrese.

So, this is your last dance of this contest.

The floor is yours, Khyrese. Good luck.

Good luck.

MUSIC: Oxygen by Andrew Austin

You OK?

Thank you so much, Khyrese.

It's been a pleasure watching you grow

-throughout this entire competition.

-Thank you so much.

I just gave it my all,

and I've always wanted to be a part of this show.

And I felt it was my one big opportunity to make it happen,

make a dream happen.

Next up, it's Erin.

Hey, Erin.

-So this is it.

-Yup.

That time.

-Yeah.

-The floor is yours, take it away.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

-Good luck.

MUSIC: Hero by Grayson Matthews

-Thank you.

-Thank you, you have done us proud.

-Thank you.

-Now it's time to breathe.

And we'll call you in shortly.

-Thank you so much.

-Thank you.

-Thanks, Erin.

It was quite emotional when I was dancing,

just because, like, this is...

Might be the last time that I get to dance here.

So I just carried on and just did my best

and just had a great time with it.

Joe is last to dance.

The floor is yours, Joe.

MUSIC: Never Get Lost by Roshin

Hello, mate.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

Well done!

Make your way outside, Joe. We'll see you shortly.

-Thank you!

-I was confident, like, when I came out the room,

because I put my all in, I put everything in, put all my movies in.

I think it is a winning performance.

The trio have done all they can.

Their fates now lie with our three judges.

Bree and Frank are also on hand to offer a Next Step perspective.

Hey, how was it?

-Yeah, I thought it went really well, actually.

-Yeah? Good.

So, for one last time, our judges deliberate.

Wow, it's been a very interesting day.

-Yeah.

-The performances have been incredible.

Probably not what I expected from each of them.

-No.

-Lots of surprises.

-You can't believe that's it, to be honest.

-I don't want it to be.

-That's the last performance.

-It's all over. We're not dancing

in front of judges any more. It's quite emotional when you actually...

I know, I'm actually quite sad.

I'm really interested to hear, from fresh eyes,

kind of what you guys thought today.

You guys do not have an easy decision.

-No!

-No, we don't.

-And you know what, isn't that great?

I think it's great, because what it shows is,

you brought wonderful talent.

Every single one of these we would consider for the show.

-Yeah.

-We would consider for the show.

If I was crowned the winner today, I'd feel so over the moon.

I would also feel a bit like sad for all the others, but then...

But we would just all celebrate together and bring up the mood.

This performer really surprised me today.

They brought something very nice.

I would have a problem in casting this person over these two...

..because it just seems to me that

they did not deliver when they needed to.

And this performer came out and left their absolute soul on the floor.

My only gripe with it was I wanted to see something more,

I wanted to see a growth, and I didn't see that growth

whereas this performer almost had me in tears.

That was a solo that I could see on this show.

-Oh, my goodness.

-And that, for me, blew my mind.

So that's why I'm in this no-man's-land.

-Yes.

-This person, I love with my heart,

but do I think that they could hold a story arc on this show?

And my answer to that would be no.

-I agree.

-So let's make our job easier.

If they announce me as the winner of this contest,

I would be just ecstatic.

But you know, thank you to everyone for this process,

because I've just grown so much,

learned so much as an overall performer.

I guess for me, my...

..my heart is here.

Everything that we've done so far to get us to this point

has always come down to what they deliver on the day.

So, based on that, I would have to say this person.

If we're talking in regards to just today,

if that's what we're going on, my heart goes with this one.

I hope I've done enough to say that I'd be crowned the winner.

At the end of the day, it's been such an amazing journey

with incredible people and I just really don't want it to end.

Where would you stand?

I'd go here. Yes, that performer.

I would concur.

One of us is actually going to be on The Next Step.

-Yeah, I know!

-Yeah, I know.

-It's crazy.

-Like, we might be doing scenes in here.

Or...

I think you have your decision.

-I think we have our decision.

-Oh, my God!

A winner has been chosen.

ALL: Final three!

I don't want it to end!

All that remains is to find out who.

OK, finalists, the time has come to let you know which of you three is

going to be taking that guest role on The Next Step alongside this

incredible cast behind me.

THEY CHEER

Now, judges, I know this was such a tough decision for you all.

Bree, as our guest judge, have you been impressed by our dancers?

You guys were so impressive and you killed it

and you went for it and you were so committed and so professional.

-It was fantastic.

-Well done, guys.

Now, judges, you were in there a long time debating,

going back and forth.

It has been one of the hardest decisions

because you guys have made it so difficult for us.

Months of hard work and dedication all boils down to this.

All right, guys.

Without further ado...

..the winner is...

..Khyrese.

THEY CHEER

Oh, wow! Erin, Joe, come over here.

Erin and Joe, a massive, massive congratulations

on making it into our top three.

Well done! Well done.

I am disappointed I didn't win,

but then again I'm happy for Khyrese.

He's a big super fan like...

Like, Next Step is his life.

This is a great experience for me and I've met a lot of new friends.

And I think this whole experience has just improved me as a dancer.

It's quite upsetting that I didn't get it,

but I'm so happy for Khyrese and I think he really does deserve it.

This whole contest has given me so much confidence in myself,

because I came here...

No confidence at all.

And if anyone wants to do anything,

you just need to believe in yourself.

I don't know why I'm crying, but, yeah.

You must be so proud of yourself.

-How are you feeling? You're shaking a lot.

-Words can't describe!

I'm just overwhelmed and thank you to everyone.

Thank you to the other two, because if they wasn't at that level,

I wouldn't be pushing to mine.

-I just can't!

-You've won, Khyrese! You've won!

I've loved every minute of it.

Well done!

Dancing with A Troupe, meeting my hero, West,

and meeting the top six, because they are family to me.

This whole journey,

I will definitely remember for the rest of my life.

ALL: One, two, three!

# Stand up! #

But for our winner Khyrese, the challenges don't end here.

About to shoot my first scene ever.

I can't wait, I'm really excited.

Watch season four of The Next Step to catch up with a familiar face.

This is what I'm going to be wearing as Cooper, guys.

Do you think it suits me?

# Stand up! #