So You Think You Can Dance is an American television reality program and dance competition airing on the Fox network. The show's eighth season premiered on May 26, 2011. It features the return of Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe as permanent judges and Cat Deeley as host. Also returning is the selection of a Top 20 for the studio shows, in contrast to season 7's Top 11. This is the final season to feature Results Show episodes. Contemporary contestant Melanie Moore won the season and Sasha Mallory was the runner-up. This is the first season where both the winner and runner-up were female. Moore and fellow grand finalist Mark Germor, who were paired as a couple from the first performance episode, became the fourteenth contestants in the show's run never to face elimination from being among the bottom six or bottom four contestants, became the eleventh contestants to be in the grand finale, and became the fourth pair in the show's run never to face elimination from being among the bottom six or bottom four contestants in the grand finale.
Judging panel Mary Murphy returned and replaced Mia Michaels as a permanent judge after being absent in season 7 due to contract disputes and to undergo surgery to remove a thyroid tumor. Adam Shankman's permanent judge spot—to which he was unable to return due to conflict with directing the film Rock of Ages—was filled with rotating guest judges Robin Antin, Lil' C, Tyce Diorio, Toni Redpath, and Jason Gilkison.
Auditions Open auditions for this season took place in the following five cities:
Air Date Location Audition Date Judges May 26, 2011 Paramount Theatre - Oakland, California (billed as San Francisco) October 13, 2010 Nigel Lythgoe, Tyce Diorio, Toni Redpath Fox Theatre - Atlanta, Georgia February 19, 2011 Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Lil' C June 1, 2011 Brooklyn, New York November 15, 2010 Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Jason Gilkison Capitol Theater - Salt Lake City, Utah February 2, 2011 Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Robin Antin June 2, 2011 Orpheum Theatre - Los Angeles, California March 12, 2011 Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Tyce Diorio
Las Vegas week Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Debbie Allen, Tyce Diorio, Robin Antin, and Adam Shankman, who was replaced by Jason Gilkison on Day 2 due to a conflict with his schedule. The Las Vegas callbacks, which started on April 8, 2011, were held at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Thirty-one dancers made it through to the final stage before the selection of the Top 20.
Task/styleMusicChoreographer(s)Individual soloMusic chosen by contestantThe contestantHip-HopNapoleon and Tabitha D'umoBroadway"I Gotcha" from FosseTyce DiorioJive"Blue Suede Shoes (from Viva Elvis)"—Elvis PresleyJason GilkisonGroup routinesPicked out of a hatThe contestantContemporary"Yellow"—Vitamin String QuartetTravis WallIndividual soloMusic chosen by contestantThe contestant
Studio Shows
Format changes This season featured a combination of the Top 20 format from seasons 2–6 and the All-Star format from season 7. The studio shows began with a Top 20. When the show reached Top 10 week, contestants from previous seasons (the All-Stars) partnered current contestants in individual dance genres. Lythgoe has noted that although fans of the show complained about season 7's format and missed "the interconnection between people who had never been in competition before," "putting [contestants] with an All-Star lifted their game immensely," which informed his decision to combine the two formats and try to "have the best of both worlds." This season also marked the first time that the public was able to cast their votes by SMS or online, in addition to calling in, with a limit of 50 votes per viewer.
Top 20 Contestants
Female contestants ContestantsAgeHome TownDance StyleElimination datePlacement Melanie Moore 19 Marietta, Georgia Contemporary August 11, 2011 Winner Sasha Mallory 23 Bakersfield, California African Jazz August 11, 2011 Runner Up Caitlynn Lawson 18 Moses Lake, Washington Contemporary August 4, 2011 Top 6 Jordan Casanova 19* Chino Hills, California Jazz July 28, 2011 Top 8 Clarice Ordaz 19 Whittier, California Jazz July 21, 2011 Top 10 Ryan Ramirez 19 Morgan Hill, California Contemporary July 14, 2011 Top 12 Ashlee “Ashley” Rich 22 Antioch, California Contemporary July 7, 2011 Top 14 Miranda Maleski 19 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Contemporary June 30, 2011 Top 16 Iveta Lukošiūtė 30 Woodside, New York (originally from Lithuania) Ballroom June 23, 2011 Top 20 Missy Morelli 20 Arvada, Colorado Jazz June 23, 2011 Top 20
Jordan turned 19 on June 15, 2011.
Male contestants ContestantsAgeHome TownDance StyleElimination datePlacement Marko Germar 22 Canoga Park, California Lyrical Jazz August 11, 2011 3rd Place Tadd Gadduang 25 Provo, Utah Breakdance August 11, 2011 4th Place Ricky Jaime 19 Miami, Florida Contemporary August 4, 2011 Top 6 Jess LeProtto 18 Newark, New Jersey Broadway July 28, 2011 Top 8 Mitchell Kelly 20 Atlanta, Georgia Contemporary July 21, 2011 Top 10 Alexander Fost 21 Los Alamitos, California Ballet July 14, 2011 Top 12 Chris Koehl 21 Garland, Texas Hip Hop July 7, 2011 Top 14 Robert Taylor Jr. 31* Brooklyn, New York Hip Hop June 30, 2011 Top 16 Wadi Jones 24 Oceanside, New York Breakdance June 23, 2011 Top 20 Nick Young 19 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Tap June 23, 2011 Top 20
Robert was 30 at the time of application. His age on the website is 31 years old.
Elimination chart
Contestants are listed alphabetically by first name, then in reverse chronological order of elimination.
+ LegendFemaleMaleBottom 3 couplesBottom 4 contestantsInjury Week:6/166/236/307/77/147/217/288/48/11ContestantResultMelanie Moore WinnerSasha MalloryBtm 3 Runner-UpMarko Germar 3rd PlaceTadd GadduangBtm 3Btm 3Btm 4 4th PlaceRicky JaimeBtm 3Btm 3Btm 3Btm 4 ElimCaitlynn LawsonBtm 3Btm 3Btm 4Jess LeProttoBtm 3 ElimJordan CasanovaBtm 3Btm 3Btm 4Mitchell KellyInjuryBtm 3Btm 3 ElimClarice OrdazBtm 3Alexander Fost ElimRyan RamirezBtm 3Btm 3Chris KoehlBtm 3 ElimAshley RichBtm 3Robert Taylor Jr.Btm 3 ElimMiranda MaleskiBtm 3Nick Young ElimIveta LukosiuteWadi JonesMissy Morelli The judges elected not to eliminate anyone the first week. As a result, two couples were eliminated the following week.
Due to Mitchell Kelly having an elbow injury, he was barred from performing the routine. See below for more information.
Performance shows
Meet the Top 20 (June 9, 2011) Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Tyce Diorio, Lil' C, Robin Antin Performances: Contestants Style Music Choreographer(s)Ricky JaimeMiranda MaleskiSasha MalloryMelanie MooreContemporary"In This Shirt"—The IrrepressiblesStacey TookeyTadd GadduangWadi JonesChris KoehlRobert Taylor Jr.Hip-hop"Everyday (Coolin')"—Swizz Beatz feat. EveDave ScottIveta LukosiutePasha KovalevBallroom Medley(Viennese Waltz, Paso Doble, and Cha-cha-cha)"Ven a Bailar (On the Floor)"—Jennifer Lopez feat. PitbullJason GilkisonJordan CasanovaMarko GermarMissy MorelliClarice OrdazJazz"Vanguardian"—Steed LordSonya TayehJess LeProttoNick YoungBroadway/Tap"Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter"—Nina SimoneChristopher ScottAlexander FostMitchell KellyCaitlynn LawsonRyan RamirezAshley RichContemporary"Moth's Wings"—Passion PitTravis WallTop 10 male contestantsHip-hop/Contemporary"Velocity"—Nathan LanierChristopher ScottTop 10 female contestantsJazz"Pop Drop & Roll"—Chonique Sneed & Lisette BustamanteSonya TayehTop 20Jazz"Little Bird"—Annie LennoxTyce Diorio
Top 20 Perform (June 15, 2011) Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Megan Mullally Performances: Couple Style Music Choreographer(s) Result(s)Jordan CasanovaTadd GadduangAfrican Jazz"Riding the Waves"—Afro Celt Sound SystemSean CheesmanBottom 3Sasha MalloryAlexander FostContemporary"Stupid" (Mark Bell mix)—Sarah McLachlanTravis WallSafeClarice OrdazJess LeProttoBroadway"Me and My Baby"—Liza MinnelliTyce DiorioBottom 3Ryan RamirezRicky JaimeLyrical hip-hop"Ain't No Sunshine"—Lighthouse FamilyChristopher ScottSafeCaitlynn LawsonRobert RoldanJazz"In For the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix)—La RouxSonya TayehSafeMiranda MaleskiRobert Taylor Jr.Jive"Runaway Baby"—Bruno MarsJason GilkisonBottom 3Missy MorelliWadi JonesPop Jazz"Judas" (R3HAB Remix)—Lady GagaSean CheesmanSafeMelanie MooreMarko GermarContemporary"Turn to Stone"—Ingrid MichaelsonTravis WallSafeAshley RichChris KoehlHip-Hop"Forget You"—Cee Lo GreenChristopher ScottSafeIveta LukosiuteNick YoungQuickstep"The Ballroom Blitz"—SweetJason GilkisonSafe
Due to a shoulder injury, Mitchell Kelly was barred from performing in his routine. He was replaced for the evening by season 7's Robert Roldan and was automatically in danger of going home.
Top 20 Perform Again (June 22, 2011) Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Debbie Reynolds Performances: Couple Style Music Choreographer(s) Result(s)Ryan RamirezRicky JaimeJazz"Addicted to Love"—Robert PalmerMandy MooreBottom 3Caitlynn LawsonMitchell KellyContemporary"Turning Tables"—AdeleStacey TookeySafeMissy MorelliWadi JonesCha-cha-cha"Cannibal"—KeshaJean-Marc GénéreuxBoth eliminatedIveta LukosiuteNick YoungBollywood"Baawre" from Luck by ChanceNakul Dev MahajanBoth eliminatedMiranda MaleskiRobert Taylor Jr.Hip-hop"Break Ya Neck"—Busta RhymesNappytabsSafeClarice OrdazJess LeProttoContemporary"Cathedrals"—Jump, Little ChildrenStacey TookeySafeJordan CasanovaTadd GadduangViennese Waltz"Fade Into Me"—David CookJean-Marc GénéreuxSafeMelanie MooreMarko GermarJazz"Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)" (Raf Marchesini Remix)—DKSMandy MooreSafeSasha MalloryAlexander FostHip-hop"Coming Home"—Diddy-Dirty Money feat. Skylar GreyNappytabsSafeAshley RichChris KoehlBroadway"Please, Mr. Jailer"—Rachel SweetSpencer LiffSafe
Top 16 Perform (June 29, 2011) Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Kristin Chenoweth, Lil' C Performances: Couple Style Music Choreographer(s) Result(s)Sasha MalloryChris KoehlRyan RamirezTadd GadduangClarice OrdazMarko GermarMiranda MaleskiMitchell KellyBroadway"Hit the Road Jack"—Ray CharlesTyce DiorioNo ResultsSasha MalloryAlexander FostContemporary"Belong"—Cary BrothersDee CasparySafeCaitlynn LawsonMitchell KellySamba"Put It in a Love Song"—Alicia Keys feat. Beyoncé KnowlesJean-Marc GénéreuxBottom 3Miranda MaleskiRobert Taylor Jr.Broadway"It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" from Sophisticated LadiesTyce DiorioBoth eliminatedMelanie MooreMarko GermarLyrical hip-hop"I Got You"—Leona LewisNappytabsSafeAshley RichChris KoehlJazz"Lights Go Down" (District 78 remix)—TelepatheSonya TayehBottom 3Clarice OrdazJess LeProttoFoxtrot"Fly Me to the Moon"—Frank SinatraJean-Marc GénéreuxSafeRyan RamirezRicky JaimeContemporary"With Every Heartbeat" (Acoustic)—RobynSonya TayehSafeJordan CasanovaTadd GadduangHip-hop"Memories"—David Guetta feat. Kid CudiNappytabsSafeJordan CasanovaRobert Taylor Jr.Melanie MooreJess LeProttoAshley RichAlexander FostCaitlynn LawsonRicky JaimeContemporary"Poison & Wine"—The Civil WarsDee CasparyNo Results
Top 14 Perform (July 6, 2011) Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Carmen Electra, Travis Wall Performances: Couple Style Music Choreographer(s) Result(s)Top 7 male contestantsContemporary"Prague"—Damien RiceJustin GilesNo resultsMelanie MooreMarko GermarLatin Jazz"Americano"—Lady GagaRay LeeperSafeSasha MalloryAlexander FostHip-hop"To the Moon"—MiguelShaun EvaristoSafeJordan CasanovaTadd GadduangSmooth Waltz"Nocturne"—Secret GardenToni RedpathBottom 3Clarice Ordaz Jess LeProttoContemporary"Light Through the Branches"—Celeste LearJustin GilesSafeAshley RichChris KoehlSalsa"Mambo Beat"—Tito PuenteLiz LiraBoth eliminatedRyan Ramirez Ricky JaimePop Jazz"Fashion"—David BowieCharles KlapowBottom 3Caitlynn LawsonMitchell KellyContemporary"To Love You More"—Celine DionMandy MooreSafeTop 7 female contestantsJazz"My Discarded Men"—Eartha Kitt feat. Bronski BeatRay LeeperNo results
Top 12 Perform (July 13, 2011) Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sonya Tayeh Performances: