Bellydancers in the USA gathered around their TVs last Wednesday night and tuned into America's Got Talent, and I was one of them. 

I was excited, nervous and holding my breath a bit... knowing that two well known oriental dancers, Sadie and Kaya will be taking the stage.  What music will they choose?  What will they wear?  and most importantly What Will They Do?????

Let me tell you --- I'm frustrated.  No, maybe the right words are:

Don't go jumping to conclusions.  Sadie and Kaya: you were beautiful.  You danced (from what we could see on the TV) fantastic.  You both were exactly what I fell in love with in the beginning of my dance journey.

But to Howie and Piers:

My spirits quickly fell as I witnessed the initial reaction of the judges after a pointed overhead shot of the dancers' cleavage flashed across the screen. Piers Morgan had barely gotten out a "Welcome to the stage!" when Howie Mandel interjected with "Wait, just give us a minute." The twinkle in his eye elicited a roar of laughter from the audience at what was surely a reaction to the women's physiques. "It's a yes for me," continued Morgan, implying that whatever dancing the women proposed to do onstage was secondary to their appearance.

After a few more schmaltzy comments from the male judges (female judge Sharon Osbourne was noticeably either silent or edited from the scene) Sadie and Kaya performed an impeccable routine set to a fast-paced drum solo. Their act was truly stunning and would make any belly dancer proud. Of course, once they were finished, the judges gave no attention to the women's talent and instead chose to comment on their bodies. In fact, as Osbourne attempted to pay the women respect in regards to the difficulty of their moves, Mandel once again interrupted with, "Oh I didn't notice the bellies. I'm sorry." Rounded out by hearty chuckle from the audience and a "yes" from all three judges, the girls headed backstage to celebrate their "victory."

Sure, Sadie and Kaya were giggly.  But as long as they executed a great dance, they deserved to be treated as performers and not schoolgirls. After all, who's going to shoot down a flirty judge in front of all of America? You wouldn't want the entire country whispering about how you "can't take a joke," especially when your career is largely in the public eye to begin with, would you?

Of couse the Bellydance Duo will be advancing to the next level of competition.  Surely, the immature behavior of these two judges will lose it's novelty and they can get to what they are supposed to be doing: Judging the talent of the performers.

Sadie and Kaya:  Thank you for choosing to go on the show.  Thank you for representing the dance beautifully.  I look forward to following you both in the show.  You have a lot of people watching and I truly believe that you will bring to the American public not only entertaining performances but also educate this western audience of the beauty and ART of oriental dance.  You both have talent I know that you will use it wisely.

Shame on Morgan and Mandel. As long as men in a position of power continue to minimize the significance of belly dance, our Hip Mix will be light years away from true honor and acceptance.

Wow, Sadie and Kaya are in the position as current ambassadors of Bellydance in America?  Yes they are... and they have this dancer's support!