Not many tap dancers compete on World of Dance, but Jennifer Lopez is glad Lucas Marinetto is on Season 2. The 14-year-old from Leesburg, Virginia struggled at first with his decision to pursue dance over sports. He knows his father wanted him to choose sports over dance, but once his father saw him on stage, Dad got it and was proud of Lucas. At the World of Dance qualifiers, Lucas comes on stage oozing with energy and performs with great swag to the Nick Jonas song “Levels.”
After the performance, judge Jennifer Lopez commends Lucas for the performance and for his “innate sense about the crowd.” Because “it is about them.” She referred to other great tap dancers including Savion Glover and Gregory Hines, who also understood that aspect and were genuine showmen. She gave Lucas a great compliment by calling him a showman too — like those great performers.
Judge Derek Hough, who can tap, too, suggested that Lucas consider a prop or a theme or story for his next performance at the duels. New episodes of World of Dance airs Tuesdays at 10pm on NBC, right after America’s Got Talent.
