'So You Think You Can Dance' Winner Is Jeanine Mason

After grueling auditions, demanding partner performances and a pressure-filled finale, only one person could be crowned "America's Favorite Dancer" for season 5 of 'So You Think You Can Dance.'

And America chose 19-year-old Jeanine Mason of Miami, Fla., who beat out fellow finalists Brandon Bryant, Evan Kasprzak and Kayla Radomski for the title and $250,000.

Somewhat of an underdog, Jeanine earned the judges' accolades after the final performance show. Mary Murphy declared she was "peaking at the right time," while Nigel Lythgoe predicted she would be in the top 2 with Brandon.



"I never thought I would be giving an acceptance speech at the Kodak," a tearful Jeanine said upon winning, then jokingly added, "but I thank the Academy!" (Read more of Jeanine's reaction below)

During the results show, the choreographers chose some of their favorite routines from season 5 -- which will no doubt be featured on the tour this fall. Among them were 'This Woman's Work' as choreographed by Tyce Diorio (which has become known as the "Cancer Dance"), performed by Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi; 'Gravity' as choreographed by Mia Michaels (aka "Addiction Dance"), performed by Kayla and Kupono Aweau; and 'Koop Island Blues,' also by Michaels (aka the "Butt Dance"), performed by Randi Evans and Evan.

The top 20 dancers reprised Tyce Diorio's 'A Brand New Day,' while 'So You Think You Can Dance: Australia' winner Talia Fowler performed a number choreographed by Sonya Tayeh.

Jeanine's dancing was praised throughout the season, at the start of which she was paired with hip-hop specialist Phillip Chbeeb. In the finale, which was held in Los Angeles' Kodak Theater for the first time ever, she danced a solo to 'Por Una Cabeza' by the Tango Project, and received a standing ovation from the judges.

She now joins a select group including Nick Lazzarini, Benji Schwimmer, Sabra Johnson and Joshua Allen. And they will welcome another 'SYTYCD' winner in just a handful of weeks, when the show's sixth season debuts Wed., Sept. 9, 8PM ET on Fox.



Quotes from Jeanine's post-win interview:

On "hating" dance as a child:
It wasn't really that I hated it. I always loved dancing. But I hated that it always made me feel so defeated towards the beginning of my lessons. I was so horrible that my teachers just didn't feel like putting in the effort.

On her mother pushing her to keep dancing:
I definitely came home crying a lot between the ages of 6 to 9 ... It was the hardest thing in the world for [my mom] to sit there and see me sobbing, saying that I didn't want something, and telling me that she felt it was good for me. She didn't know what it was, she just had this gut feeling that she needed to keep me in dance ... I'm so grateful to her, for keeping a stern fist.

On being surprised by the results:
Once you're standing there and that ominous, horrible music plays that will always haunt me -- I just didn't think it could happen. Brandon is such an amazing dancer, such a powerful and beautiful dancer, and I admire him so much that I definitely thought he had it. I was just ready to give him a hug and step back and let him have his moment. So, hearing Cat say my name, it was so surreal.

On her friendship with Brandon:
Brandon and I have been friends for a really long time; we're both from Miami. I've known him for a couple years now, and he's such a nice guy on top of being one of the strongest dancers ... He was so supportive and he was so happy for me. Anyway, right before she announced it, we were like, well, either way it's a win for Miami!


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