"Danceability" was the catchword of last week's
episode of The Glee Project , as the
contestants put their moves to the test. The contenders were challenged to step
out of their comfort zone – some struggling more than others to find their groove. And while her soulfulness and Justin Bieber-esque
appearance made her a standout during the season two tryouts, it was 23-year-old
Dani whom the judges didn’t jive with in the end.
"Dancing has been something that I have gotten a little bit more
comfortable within the last year or so…I knew coming in that there would be a
dance ability week, and I knew that it was going to be hard," Dani admits.
She adds, "I didn’t know that I was going to go home necessarily
on dance ability week, but yeah, I mean I think it comes down to just really
being able to let go and not be so concerned with getting every move exactly
right."
Perhaps the bigger issue for Dani, however, was finding her own
voice on the show. "In Week One, (Glee star and guest mentor) Lea Michele
actually gave me (the) comment, 'You know who you are, just be more yourself
with the performances.' And so going into Week Two I actually took that and
decided I’m not going to try so hard. Instead I’m just going to be my chill,
relaxed self. And actually, that was the thing that they decided they didn’t
necessarily want.
"Now obviously I feel like I have more personality than what was
shown ... I don’t think that I really was able to show all of myself. But, you
know, based on what they saw, I could see why they made that decision," says
Dani.
Elimination aside, the Nashville native says she has walked away
with some valuable life lessons and has learned a lot about herself as an
artist. Referring to The Glee Project
and a previous stint on the show America's
Got Talent, Dani says "both of them have pushed me in unique ways and have
definitely been very humbling experiences because I’ve met so many amazing and
very talented people."
Whether
Dani reemerges on yet another reality series remains to be seen. But with four independently-released albums
already under her belt, and sights set on a collaboration with her role model, Alanis
Morissette, fans have likely not heard the last of Dani Shay.
The Glee Project airs Fridays at 8.00 et/pt on Global.