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Introduction

Welcome to Riley Reacts

Hi and welcome to Riley Reacts, the show where I, Britney Raymond—actor and dancer who played Riley from The Next Step—react to my time on that show. Thank you all for your support as I return to these reaction videos. One way you can show support is by watching these videos. Another way is by getting a Cameo from me for personalized messages for birthdays or special occasions. You can book me on Cameo; the link is down below. However, there is a completely free way to show support: if you're enjoying these videos, please subscribe!

Previously on The Next Step

To recap, Stephanie wants to be a triple threat and has finally got an agent—this was many episodes ago. James is out of the troupe until he improves his math grades. Emily and Michelle both have a crush on Elden, although they deny it. Michelle adjusted the line placements and put Emily in the back row, despite Emily's hard work to make it to the second row. Let’s continue with the episode.

The Class Begins

One, two, three, four, five, six... Laughter. Classic dance teacher terminology—those sound counts like "GGG," and "S8" are common. Lamar always pinched my nose during a particular move, so I learned to scrunch back a bit to avoid it.

When Michelle compliments Elden, it gives me a weird feeling. Does she like him? This can't interfere with her being dance captain.

Emily is still taking the "woe is me" stance about being placed in the back row. It would be better if she wasn't so mopy and actually tried. Spoilers: Emily will transfer to Elite soon. Oh, it's been 10 years, so that's fair game.

Video Chat with James

Hey James, I’m just helping him with math because his grades affect our troupe placement. I hated doing video chat scenes; it's awkward to act as if you're looking at someone through the lens.

I keep forgetting we improvised our dialogues, which was so challenging. It's easier for me when I have a set script. It's also nerve-wracking because I had never had a boyfriend, so I had no lived experience to pull from.

Stephanie's Audition

Stephanie bombed her audition. The casting director was cruel, and Stephanie walked out mid-audition when asked to go back in and be further humiliated. I remember Samantha (who played Stephanie) feeling so embarrassed filming that scene. But as an actor, you do many embarrassing things.

The Kiss Scene

Now, let's talk about the kiss scene with Emily and Elden. This was a huge turning point for Emily’s character. She was saying goodbye to her old self. This kiss signified her transformation.

Answering Questions

Question: Which dance style would you wish you could have done more of in the show? Answer: Tap dance. I loved tap and was pretty good at it. I even had a tap solo.

More Drama

Emily is suspicious of how Riley is helping James with math. Here's a fun fact: I loved math growing up and even took Calculus and Vectors in grade 12 for fun.

The auditioning process for TNS was initiated by Amy Wright, who reached out to different dance studios. I wasn’t even thinking about acting, but this audition changed my life.

In ballet classes filmed for the show, proper attire like tights and bodysuits weren't used, which is not realistic for actual ballet training. Wearing the correct clothing is crucial for ensuring safety and proper technique.

Emily and Elden eventually kiss, but the results of Michelle's decision to swap their places in the dance line create more tension.

Closing Thoughts

Emily and Stephanie leave the studio, creating intense drama at the end of the episode. I hilariously remember my run in the scene saying "Guys!" which came off quite awkwardly.

Stay tuned for more reaction videos and Q&As in the next week or so. Don’t forget to subscribe and share!

Keywords

Riley Reacts
Britney Raymond
The Next Step
Stephanie
James
Emily
Michelle
Dance Captain
Improv
Audition
Elden
Kiss Scene
Dance Styles
Tap Dance
Video Chat
Audition Process
Ballet Classes

FAQ

Q: Who is Britney Raymond? A: Britney Raymond is an actor and dancer who played Riley on "The Next Step."

Q: How can viewers support Riley Reacts? A: Viewers can support by watching the videos, subscribing, and booking Cameos for personalized messages.

Q: What's the plot recap of the episode discussed? A: Stephanie got an agent, James needs to improve his math grades, and Michelle’s line adjustments create drama.

Q: What dance style does Britney wish was featured more on the show? A: Tap dance.

Q: How was the audition process for "The Next Step"? A: Amy Wright reached out to various dance studios, and dancers were encouraged to audition.

Q: Why were the ballet classes on the show not realistic? A: They didn’t wear the proper attire, which is essential for safety and technique in real ballet training.