"Skin & Bones," Ricky Ubeda [2014]

[@kaylabrooks957]

It's been so many years and I still cannot get this performance out of my head. The moment this artist created will stick with me for the rest of my life. Talented is an understatement.

[@J05HBR0WN]

AMEN.

[@nikakb7675]

Well said.

[@corypopoff865]

I'm there with you.. my daughter just had her dance recital and I found myself sharing this audition to her senior peers...

[@jeremiahlowder9426]

I can't tell you how many times I've watched this video. And I just watched him on the Tony's and he broke me again. One of the best storytellers I've ever seen.

[@Boom0808]

I truly believe this is one of the best solos in sytycd history.

[@Jumbaride]

It is the best for me. This performance is otherworldly.

[@ShariDyonne]

This solo popped in my head today and I HAD to come watch it. It’s like it’s new every time I watch it…amazing…

[@maevesheehan6430]

Omg this video was on my recommended but I recognized your profile picture I follow you on TikTok!! lol love your videos and agree

[@AlexSmith-oh5fl]

Twitch’s reaction has always given me chills. God rest his soul. He knew an amazing dancer when he saw it. ❤

[@deborabarros7610]

I LIVE for Ricky's jumps.

[@allisonjensen2804]

Débora Barros seriously! if I had half the height and flexibility that he has I would be so happy!

[@abov8030]

This is still some of the most beautiful and perfectly paired pieces of choreography I have ever watched. I get goosebumps every time. Perfectly timed, beautiful movement and amazing technique displayed. A masterpiece 💕

[@crissandrabello481]

abov me too he’s amazing I hope he comes back as an all star

[@lisamoreno7973]

Masterpiece. Exactly.

[@sunnytoast]

Ricky really impresses me. I mean, he's so in it. The control on his sprawling all over, the height of his jumps! And his face at :35, like, wow. That is emotion.

[@customds2]

He will be this season's winner! JMO!

[@annikan42]

Back here again after seeing him perform at the Tony Awards tonight. I'll never get tired of watching him dance. The texture of movement, the soul, it's so beautiful

[@HulaHeart]

Beautiful choreography. Beautiful dancer.

[@ecceben]

def agree -- the best of the season!

[@Coco.3333]

single best dance I have ever watched in my life. truly amazing.

[@nirikshashetty89]

holy shit!!! those convulsions on skin and bones... gave serious chills!!!! best solo ever!!!

[@realcatchyname2682]

0:49 trying to get to the car after a party

[@LiveLoveLaugh11100]

literal tears rn

[@yourstruly4961]

Wolf of wall street

[@kitanajadefrost4663]

Me on my birthday 🎂😩😂😂😂

[@rikkikm]

Still gives me chills all these years later.

[@AleeshaWeesha]

There is no denying Ricky's talent! Get it, Ricky!!

[@mmanimation8109]

best solo ever. it will be a long time before someone can top this. i am just glad such a high level of artistry can be immortalized on youtube.

[@uwldluvme21]

Soon as I saw this kid I know he'd win. No other dancers compared. I missed when the show was like this. Where you HAD TO SHOW TRUE DANCING ABILITY. Now it's just who's the most liked.

[@emmageorgia6149]

My favorite contestant of all time. I still can't watch this without shedding a few tears.

[@graceheath9549]

Ricky was always and still is amazing. i loved learning from him and other members of stars dance company. they were so great and so nice and had so much to give when dancing and teaching. having ubeda work watch parties every week at dance class was a memory i’ll keep forever 🩵

[@Mscan724]

Tears fill my eyes every time I watch this. So Beautiful!

[@sheylavera5805]

This has been in my head for more than 10 years. I love it. Always goosebumps! 😍😍😍😍

[@apollocrest]

Damn, still amazing to this day. Perfection!

[@sfranklin7865]

I didn't really know Ricky before this performance. This was a performance I won't soon forget and Ricky has quickly become my favorite.

[@ultravenia]

I don't think I can forget it, myself.

[@ThisIsTuChae]

This is honestly the best solo in the history of sytycd. amazing

[@Stephtanmark]

Ricky is the best dancer by far! He's so cute too! He better win, he deserves it! AWESOME dancer!!!

[@zumzummm19]

I tear up every time I watch it.. the unbelievable beauty of the dance

[@chrisumipeg]

This was perfection.

[@christicrenshaw2772]

I could watch him all day long. He is such a beautiful dancer

[@tamiyadyse]

i literally have to watch this ever year it’s forever stuck in my mind

[@PlayabyTaya]

I watch this video at least 3 times a year, it lights a fire in me

[@MajorBluntz]

i knew this kid was gonna win it.

[@pwetty4r4]

This is still ones of the best things I've ever seen

[@christinan5382]

This solo is where he shows he is worth all the hype... Beautiful

[@sofiam.e2331]

This made me cry so beautiful thank you

[@anna-mooncrutzen3427]

I've got goosebumps everywhere wow

[@jessicalumiere2478]

Can't stop watching this and Jeanine Mason's rose solo. Phenomenal dancing.

[@serenalove82]

I woke up this morning in 2023 wondering how Ricky Ubeda was doing. Decided to watch my favorite piece.❤

[@annikan42]

I'm back here watching this piece after seeing him perform at the Tony Awards tonight, so I think he's doing well! So happy for him!

[@SuperEnichols]

I cry every time I watch this. Dance is such a beautiful language.

[@christicrenshaw1927]

I absolutely love this. I could watch it every day and never get tired of it. He is an amazing dancer. Glad he won

[@crystalrodriguez955]

I've seen him do this live. Such a beautiful moment

[@mcslappinmcchicken1273]

00:49 - 00:59 made me think of the performance he did on Ellen "Bird Set Free" - Sia the part from that performance was similar to this part and I love it! Which "Bird Set Free" brought me here! He is my all time favorite dancer!!! :') Phenomenal!

[@nallelyha]

it brought me here too 😌

[@emmaharlan5355]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@stvcmpnl]

AMAZING!!! What a gift you have and a gift for the world to see you dance. Congrats on your role in Cats to! Welcome to Broadway!

[@BethXibiu]

OMG! Beautiful...

[@gabriellesamuel9927]

I just feel so happy and excited when he dances. Something in me just goes yyyyyeeeeeesssssss Ricky! Oy! I've watched this soooooo many times before and I still feel the same level of awe and emotion and......... wow. That being said, ever noticed that this piece of choreography is awesome work in itself? Its horrible that the choreographer isn't getting as much big-up as the dancer is. But whoever choreographed this, hats off to you. GREAT work. lovely.

[@JusBlazeWifey1000]

incredible!! this is hands down one of the most amazing auditions ever!! this audition is a show worthy piece!! truly incledible dancer!

[@florencialimacarrizo716]

la mejor temporada!!! con ricky ubeda ♡♡♡

[@applessweet213]

Coral Reef Senior High School supports you Ricky!

[@BernardoPatino]

1:00 When you realize you've run out of choccy milk

[@Babegirlcass]

I have tears from laughing so hard

[@reinacarrington1399]

I hope to one day do a a dance as passionate as this one

[@andreaspoupazis1806]

This is crazy! Just wow!

[@christicrenshaw2772]

This is one of my favorite ever on sytycd.

[@Mast3rH3r0]

I am not an expert by any means but for me ricky is probably the most talented dancer I've seen in this show.

[@josephyang4997]

Besides being an amazing dancer I'm pretty sure he'd could be an amazing martial artist if he wanted to be. He has such excellent control over his whole body, even down to his toes. Plus he has that explosive power and incredible flexibility.

[@Kjjjuynn5]

Crazy talented!

[@johnkim3679]

my heart is full

[@enriquetorres6998]

hes unbelievable brilliant chilling

[@ishallcallhersquishy]

i live like an hour from his studio and honestly my sister and i might put my niece there. like this is incredible

[@MajorBluntz]

IM FUCKING CRYING!

[@Claire-ing]

Had me crying within 20 seconds holy shite

[@jleboeuf99]

The best solo in the history of SYTYCD!! They should go back to this format, I hated this new season!!!

[@paulaandreacoralayala6643]

I'm in love

[@Kyuutiekatcafe]

And this is the man who would go on to play Mister Mistoffelees in the Broadway revival of Cats.

[@GiaDiamond4]

I imagine this solo is about someone who was paralyzed and finally regains the ability to move... getting used to his skin and bones. That's why the movements are almost ugly, because he doesn't know how to move yet. Then at the end he gets the hang of it celebrates his new body!

[@kaseythompson4670]

Japple, the wonderful thing about music is how we all interpret its meaning based on our life experience. I hear something differently; I hear the pain of loss and how it strips us of everything we know and love. As I near the one year anniversary of my sister's death, it harkens the loss of my father and mother (38 and 30 years prior). Sometimes, I still struggle to get my feet under me, the pain can be so deep. Again, that's the wonder. You see celebration, yet I see tragedy.

[@davidhinton8654]

from that point forward he was the winner of that season...

[@ProfessionalDad]

How did the judges not lose their minds? This kid did moves I’ve never seen which is what they’re always looking for

[@BonnKialStevens]

Rickey reminds me of Billy Bell in this one.

[@Qgual]

I love him as mr. Mistofelees♥♥

[@florencialimacarrizo5470]

Ricky deberia ser una de las "stars" 😍

[@kyrakronberg6720]

These Stars kids.. My god..

[@poisonedkandy]

Who does that skin and bones song? I really want to listen to the whole thing now!

[@brandigreen5244]

David J. Roch

[@cheyennecuevas3226]

Whos the song by

[@totallygothboy]

I think he and Billy Bell should perform together. They have very similar aesthetics and lines.

[@malakfahad2690]

Do you know what happened to the original audition video? It apparently disappeared from KZbin I couldn't find it anywhere.

[@MyMpilo]

this solo was amazing. reminds me of Jakob Karr.

[@nyvia143]

The dancing is amazing but the comment section I can´t breath XD hahah

[@sidneybrown6090]

So mad Nigel stopped the music in the middle of it!

[@toast418]

Actually, Nigel didn't stop the music at all. It's the format of the show that an audition piece cannot exceed 90 sec. That rule still applies in the exhibition solos that start off call-backs, which was what this video was, (And if someone is asked to 'dance for their life.') Judges also give no feedback at that stage either. So, Nigel's hand gesture at the end was all the thanks he was officially allowed to give the performance. That being said- It IS in fact part of a longer piece. Videos of the full work are also available on youtube, but Ricky had to choose where to prune it to stay within the rules. Luckily it was already pretty top heavy (most difficult things first) in it's original form. Don't blame Nigel, blame the format if you must - but just be happy you got to see as much as you did.

[@DJIotaFrat1963]

toast418

[@briansounalath]

Wow. I’m a hyper masculine alpha male and even I really liked this. Don’t tell no one.

[@emersontait265]

My favorite part 1:00

[@azzz7279]

He reminds me of Travis wall , and thatd saying a lot because I never make that type of comparison like that

[@EphenStreet]

Congrats on Cats!

[@keithpurduecroft]

His bones are made of silly-putty. No human can move like that! OMG!!!!

[@greenapplegaming1102]

What the music name.?

[@by.amandasouza]

WHAT MUSIC?

[@tamshesz5219]

Anyone know who sings this or where i can find the music? x

[@shanicegibbs9038]

Tams Hesz the song is called 'skin and bones' by David I Roch

[@shanicegibbs9038]

Tams Hesz *David J Roch

[@shan_5332]

When your mom hits you for the first time 0:50

[@josuechiquito3280]

Music

[@doeeyes2]

Back when Dance Reality Competitions were ajudicated by actual dance professionals instead of JLo, Ryan, Seacrest, NeYo and whoever else they come up with...

[@thedis4david]

this isn’t dancing. this what happens when your brain is on drugs. who choreographed this?