So You Think You Can Dance (American TV series) season 12 explained

Module1:	Host: Cat Deeley Judges: Nigel Lythgoe Paula Abdul Jason Derulo Winner: Gaby Diaz Runner Up: Džajna "Jaja" Vaňková
Network:	Fox
Next Season:	Season 13

So You Think You Can Dance, an American dance competition show, returned for its twelfth season, titled So You Think You Can Dance: Stage Vs. Street, on Monday, June 1, 2015. Seventeen episodes were broadcast on the Fox Network, including episode nine on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, which was a special celebrating the tenth anniversary of the show titled "A Decade of Dance Special Edition". The sixteen regular episodes aired each week on Mondays, rather than Wednesdays as it had been in recent previous seasons. On September 14, 2015, Gaby Diaz won the competition and made history by becoming the first tap dancer to win the title.

Auditions were held in Dallas TX, Detroit MI, Los Angeles CA, Memphis TN and New York NY.^[1]

Judges

Series creator and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe returned as a member of the permanent judging panel, along with new permanent members Paula Abdul and Jason Derulo.

The Team Captains, Travis Wall for Team Stage and tWitch for Team Street, were consulted on the selections for each team during the Vegas Call Backs.

Mary Murphy, who was a permanent judge in seasons 3 through 6 and seasons 8 through to 11, has not returned. Host Cat Deeley returns for her eleventh consecutive season.

Format

Season 12 featured a significant shift in format in that it was the first season where contestants were not selected based on their gender. Contestants were selected based on whether the competitor considered themselves a "Stage" dancer or a "Street" dancer. Stage styles included ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap, while the Street styles included freestyle, break dancing, hip-hop, and krump. Previously, the Dancers were selected across all genres and were divided by gender, with ten men and ten women being selected for the Top Twenty. This new format allowed the judges to respond to the strong number of female street dancers, and resulted in the Top Twenty, being eleven female and nine male dancers.

Once the "Top 20" were selected the public voted on their favourite dancers and the three stage and three street dancers with fewest votes were in danger of elimination. The mediums through which the public could vote continued from the previous season's methods of online through the So You Think You Can Dance website on fox.com, the Fox Now app, and SMS. Voting via telephone was once again not available.

The judges selected one stage and one street dancer from the remaining four dancers to be eliminated from the competition. When ten dancers were left in the competition, dancers were then eliminated purely on the votes from the public.

Season 12 saw the introduction of the ability for the audience to save one contestant from the stage and street teams from elimination, but only for the first four eliminations. When the Bottom 6 dancers were revealed during the live show, a five-minute period for Twitter voting was announced with one vote allowed for stage and for street per Twitter account. Once those contestants were saved, the judges were allowed to save one more dancer from each team for the first three eliminations; since the fourth was a double elimination, the Twitter vote was the only save; the judges had no say that week.

Once Top Ten were revealed, neither the audience nor judges were allowed to save any contestants.^[2]

Auditions

Open auditions for season 12 were held in five cities beginning on January 24, 2015.^[1] Lythgoe, Abdul and Derulo were the three judges for all the auditions.

In a change from previous years, the city auditions no longer had a "choreography round," where dancers whom the judges thought might not be able to handle someone else's choreography were taught a routine they then had to perform.

Air Date	Audition Venue	City	Audition Date
June 22, 2015^[3]	Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom & Hammerstein Ballroom	New York, New York	January 24, 2015
June 1, 2015	Southern Methodist University, McFarlin Memorial Auditorium	Dallas, Texas	February 14, 2015
June 8, 2015	The Fillmore Detroit	Detroit, Michigan	February 22, 2015
June 1, 2015	Orpheum Theatre	Memphis, Tennessee	March 8, 2015
June 15, 2015^[4]	Orpheum Theatre	Los Angeles, California	March 15, 2015

Callbacks

Callbacks were held in Las Vegas for season 12, a return to previous practice after season 11's were held in Los Angeles. A total of 219 dancers were given tickets at the five audition cities to the Las Vegas callbacks: 114 were selected for Team Stage, mentored by Travis Wall, and 105 were selected for Team Street, mentored by Stephen "tWitch" Boss.^[5] The first callback episode was scheduled for June 29, 2015,^[6] and the second callback episode, during which the Top 20 of 10 stage and 10 street dancers is revealed, aired on July 6, 2015.^[7]

Finals

Top 20 Contestants

Team Stage

Contestant	Age	Home Town	Dance Style	Elimination date	Placement
Gaby Diaz	19	Miami, FL	Tap	September 14, 2015	Overall Winner
Hailee Payne	20	Roy, UT	Jazz	September 14, 2015	Stage Runner-Up
Jim Nowakowski	26	Rochester, NY	Ballet	August 31, 2015	Top 6
Derek Piquette	18	Chicopee, MA	Contemporary	August 24, 2015	Top 8
Edson Juarez	24	Mission, TX	Contemporary	August 17, 2015	Top 10
Alexia Meyer	19	Orem, UT	Lyrical Jazz	August 10, 2015	Top 14
Kate Harpootlian	27	Columbia, SC	Contemporary
Marissa Milele	20	Nashville, TN	Jazz	August 3, 2015	Top 16
Moises Parra	18	Garden Grove, CA	Contemporary	July 27, 2015	Top 18
Darion Flores	19	Hartford, CT	Ballet	July 20, 2015	Top 20

Team Street

Contestant	Age	Home Town	Dance Style	Elimination date	Placement
Jana "Jaja" Vaňková	23	Děčín, Czech Republic	Animation/Krump	September 14, 2015	Overall Runner-up
Virgil "Lil O" Gadson	28	Philadelphia, PA	Hip Hop	September 14, 2015	Street Runner-Up
Megan "Megz" Alfonso	29	Long Island, NY	Hip Hop	August 31, 2015	Top 6
Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge	25	Dallas, TX	Freestyle	August 24, 2015	Top 8
Jessica "JJ" Rabone	30	Kawasaki, Japan	House/Waacking	August 17, 2015	Top 10
Ariana Crowder	22	Somerset, NJ	Hip Hop	August 10, 2015	Top 14
Yorelis Apolinario	19	Tampa, FL	Freestyle
Asaf Goren	23	Tel Aviv, Israel	Breakdance	August 3, 2015	Top 16
Burim "B1" Jusufi	29	Baden, Switzerland	Breakdance	July 27, 2015	Top 18
Lily Frias	23	Durango, Mexico	Waacking	July 20, 2015	Top 20

Note

• Alain "Hurrikane" Lauture had to leave the competition due to injury. Thus the judges brought back Asaf Goren who was number 11 in Team Street.

Elimination chart

+Legend
Female	Male	Team Stage	Team Street	Bottom 6 contestants	Bottom 4 contestants	Eliminated

	Week:	7/20	7/27	8/3	8/10	8/17	8/24	8/31	9/14
	Contestant	Result
	Gaby Diaz								Winner
	Jana "Jaja" Vaňková								Runner-Up<	--As in other seasons featuring a Top 4, the elimination order is based off what Cat says. We do not need to specify the runner-ups from each team.-->
	Virgil Gadson								3rd place<	--As in other seasons featuring a Top 4, the elimination order is based off what Cat says. We do not need to specify the runner-ups from each team.-->
	Hailee Payne						Btm 4		4th place<	--As in other seasons featuring a Top 4, the elimination order is based off what Cat says. We do not need to specify the runner-ups from each team.-->
	Jim Nowakowski							Elim
	Megan "Megz" Alfonso					Btm 4	Btm 4
	Derek Piquette	Btm 4		Btm 6	Btm 6	Btm 4	Elim
	Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge	Btm 6			Btm 6
	Edson Juarez		Btm 4			Elim
	Jessica "JJ" Rabone			Btm 6
	Alexia Meyer				Elim
	Yorelis Apolinario
	Kate Harpootlian		Btm 6	Btm 4
	Ariana Crowder	Btm 4	Btm 6	Btm 4
	Marissa Milele			Elim
	Asaf Goren		Btm 4
	Moises Parra	Btm 6	Elim
	Burim "B1" Jusufi
	Darion Flores	Elim
	Lily Frias

Performances

Meet the Top 20 (July 13, 2015)

• Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo
• Performances: Jason Derulo

Dancers	Style	Music	Choreographer(s)	Result
Top 20	Hip-hop	"Revolt"—Nathan Lanier	Christopher Scott	N/A
Megan "Megz" Alfonso Jessica "JJ" Rabone Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge*	Hip-hop	"The Illest"—Far East Movement feat. Riff Raff	Dave Scott	Eskridge Bottom 6*
Gaby Diaz Derek Piquette Moises Parra*	Contemporary	"Luminous"—Max Richter	Stacey Tookey	Parra Bottom 6* Piquette Bottom 6
Lily Frias Jana "Jaja" Vaňková Asaf Goren Burim "B1" Jusufi	Hip-hop	"Easy"—Son Lux feat. Lorde	Christopher Scott	Frias Eliminated
Hailee Payne Alexia Meyer Marissa Milele	Jazz	"New Dorp New York"—SBTRKT feat. Ezra Koenig	Brian Friedman	Safe
Jim Nowakowski Darion Flores	Ballet	"Blood and Stone"—Audiomachine	Benoit Swan Pouffer	Flores Eliminated
Ariana Crowder Yorelis Apolinario Virgil "Lil O" Gadson	Hip-hop	"Locked Out of Heaven"—Bruno Mars	Christopher "Pharside" Jennings Krystal "Phoenix" Meraz	Crowder Bottom 6
Kate Harpootlian Edson Juarez	Contemporary	"Shaped Like A Gun"—Tailor	Travis Wall	Safe
Team Stage	Broadway	"Body Language"—Queen	Warren Carlyle	N/A
Team Street	Hip-hop	"Ready or Not Here I Come"—District 78 feat. Cheesa	Tabitha D'umo Napoleon D'umo	N/A

Top 20 (July 20, 2015)

• Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo

Dancers	Style	Music	Choreographer(s)	Result
Top 20	Hip-hop	"Baila Como Yo"—District 78	Christopher "Pharside" Jennings Krystal "Phoenix" Meraz	N/A
Hailee Payne Yorelis Apolinario Darion Flores	Salsa	"Blucutu"—Saamara	Jonathan Platero Oksana Dmytrenko	Safe
Ariana Crowder* Derek Piquette	Jazz	"Cry Me a River"—Michael Bublé	Ray Leeper	Crowder Bottom 6*
Virgil "Lil O" Gadson Megz Alfonso Alexia Meyer	Contemporary	"Until We Go Down"—Ruelle	Dee Caspary	Safe
Lily Frias Burim Jusufi Gaby Diaz Edson Juarez	Bollywood	"Dhol Baaje" from Ek Paheli Leela	Nakul Dev Mahajan	Jusufi Eliminated Juarez Bottom 6
Asaf Goren Kate Harpootlian* Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge	Broadway	"All About That Bass"—Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox featuring Kate Davis	Spencer Liff	Goren Bottom 6 Harpootlian Bottom 6*
Jana "Jaja" Vaňková Jim Nowakowski	Lyrical hip-hop	"No Woman, No Cry (Live Version)"—Bob Marley and the Wailers	Christopher Scott	Safe
Marissa Milele Moises Parra JJ Rabone	Jazz	"I'm So Sorry"—Imagine Dragons	Ray Leeper	Parra Eliminated
Team Street	Hip-hop	"Time"—Nathan Lanier	Christopher Scott Phillip Chbeeb	N/A
Team Stage	Contemporary	"Stabat Mater"—Woodkid	Travis Wall	N/A

Top 18 (July 27, 2015)

• Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo

Dancers	Style	Music	Choreographer(s)	Result
Top 18	Afro Funk	"Let The Groove Get In"—Justin Timberlake	Reina Hidalgo Asiel Hardison	N/A
Alexia Meyer Derek Piquette Jana "Jaja" Vaňková	Contemporary	"All Waters"—Perfume Genius	Stacey Tookey	Piquette Bottom 6*
Megz Alfonso Jim Nowakowski Moises Parra	Hip-hop	"Whuteva"—Remy Ma	JaQuel Knight	Safe
JJ Rabone Edson Juarez Yorelis Apolinario	Jazz	"Restart"—Sam Smith	Tovaris Wilson	Rabone Bottom 6*
Asaf Goren Marissa Milele	Club cha-cha	"+1"—Martin Solveig ft Sam White	Jean-Marc Genereux	Both Eliminated
Gaby Diaz Burim Jusufi Ariana Crowder	African Jazz	"Gorilla"—Lord Kraven	Sean Cheesman	Crowder Bottom 6
Kate Harpootlian Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge	Contemporary	"Promise"—Ben Howard	Justin Giles	Harpootlian Bottom 6
Hailee Payne Virgil "Lil O" Gadson	Hip-hop	"Runnin'"—Noahplause	Christopher "Pharside" Jennings Krystal "Phoenix" Meraz	Safe
Team Stage	Contemporary	"For My Help"—Hayden Calnin	Jaci Royal	N/A
Team Street	Hip-hop	"Break Ya Neck"—Busta Rhymes	Marty Kudelka	N/A

Top 16 (August 3, 2015)

• Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo

Dancers	Style	Music	Choreographer(s)	Result
Top 16		"Love is Free"—Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique ft Maluca	Nick Flores RJ Durrell	N/A
Hailee Payne Jana "Jaja" Vaňková	Jazz	"Endangered Species"—Dianne Reeves	Ray Leeper	Safe
Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge Alexia Meyer	Hip-hop	"Flex (Ooh Ooh Ooh)"—Rich Homie Quan	Dave Scott	Eskridge Bottom 6* Meyer Eliminated
JJ Rabone* Leonardo Barrionuevo++	Argentine Tango	"Duo de Amor"—Astor Piazzolla	Miriam Larici Leonardo Barrionuevo	Piquette Bottom 6*
Ariana Crowder Jim Nowakowski	Contemporary	"Everybody Wants to Rule the World"—Lorde	Sean Cheesman	Crowder Eliminated
Virgil "Lil O" Gadson Gaby Diaz	Broadway	"Where or When"—Sammy Davis Jr.	Al Blackstone	Safe
Asaf Goren Kate Harpootlian	Pop Jazz	Braveheart—Neon Jungle	Sean Cheesman	Harpootlian Eliminated
Marissa Milele Yorelis Apolinario	Hip-hop	"Let Go"—Kezwik ft. Mimi Page	Christopher Scott	Apolinario Eliminated
Edson Juarez Megz Alfonso	Contemporary	"You There"—Aquilo	Talia Favia	Safe
Team Street	Hip-hop	"Commas"—Future	Luam	N/A
Team Stage	Contemporary	“Beautiful Friends”—Helen Money	Travis Wall	N/A

++JJ's partner Derek Piquette injured his back during rehearsals and was advised by doctors to rest for the week. As a result, JJ performed with her choreographer Leonardo Barrionuevo and Derek Piquette is automatically in the Bottom 6 for next week.

Note: The "asterisk" symbol shows that the Dancer was saved by the live Twitter vote.

Top 14 (August 10, 2015)

• Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo

Dancers	Style	Music	Choreographer(s)	Result
Top 14		"100% Pure Love"—Crystal Waters	Brian Friedman	N/A
Jim Nowakowski Yorelis Apolinario	Jazz	"Asht"—Nebulo	Sonya Tayeh	Safe
Edson Juarez Jana "Jaja" Vaňková	Hip-hop	"She Came to Give It to You"—Usher feat. Nicki Minaj	Misha Gabriel	Juarez Eliminated
Virgil "Lil O" Gadson Hailee Payne	Contemporary	"Cellophane"—Sia	Tyce Diorio	Safe
Alexia Meyer Ariana Crowder	Burlesque Jazz	"Circus Fish"—Vermillion Lies	Tracy Phillips Dominic Carbone
Derek Piquette Megz Alfonso	Hip-hop	"Worth It" — Fifth Harmony feat. Kid Ink	Dave Scott	Both Bottom 4
Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge Gaby Diaz	Contemporary	"Take my Hand, Precious Lord"—Ledisi (Selma Soundtrack)	Stacey Tookey	Safe
JJ Rabone Kate Harpootlian	Pop Jazz	"A Different Beat"—Little Mix	Brian Friedman	Rabone Eliminated
Team Street	Hip-hop	"Dragula"—Rob Zombie	Christopher "Pharside" Jennings Krystal "Phoenix" Meraz	N/A
Team Stage	Contemporary	“Lift Me”—The Bengsons	Sonya Tayeh	N/A

Top 10 (August 17, 2015)

• Group Dance: Music: "Earth Intruders"—Björk, Style: Jazz; Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh
• Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo

Dancers	Style	Music	Choreographer(s)	Result
Hailee Payne Brandon Bryant	Broadway	”It Don’t Mean a Thing (if it Ain’t Got That Swing"—Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga	Warren Carlyle	Bottom 4
Derek Piquette Kayla Radomski	Jazz	"Got It"—Marian Hill	RJ Durell Nick Florez	Eliminated
JJ Rabone++
Virgil "Lil O" Gadson Comfort Fedoke	Hip-hop	"Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)"—The Temptations	Christopher Scott	Safe
Megz Alfonso Marko Germar	Jazz	"Canned Heat"—Jamiroquai	Ray Leeper	Bottom 4
Edson Juarez Jaimie Goodwin	Contemporary	"Your Day Will Come"—Son Lux	Travis Wall
Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge Jasmine Harper	Hip-hop	"Milk Was a Bad Choice”—“Yultron”	Christopher "Pharside" Jennings and Krystal "Phoenix" Meraz	Eliminated
Jim Nowakowski Jessica Richens	Contemporary	"Heal"—Tom Odell	Dee Caspary	Safe
Jaja Vankova Alex Wong	Bollywood	"Naacho Re”—Jai Ho soundtrack	Nakul Dev Mahajan	Safe
Gaby Diaz Joshua Allen	Hip-hop	"I’m Really Hot"—Missy Elliott	Christopher "Pharside" Jennings and Krystal "Phoenix" Meraz	Safe

++JJ Rabone injured her ribs during rehearsals and was not medically cleared to perform either her solo or with an all-star partner. She would automatically have been in the Bottom 4 for the next week had she not been eliminated.

• Solos:

Dancer	Style	Music
Virgil Gadson	Hip-hop	"Conqueror” —Empire Cast feat. Estelle Smollett and Jussie Smollett
Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge	Freestyle	"Power of the Empire"—Empire Cast feat. Yazz
Gaby Diaz	Tap	"Can’t Truss ‘Em”—Empire Cast feat. Yazz
Jaja Vankova	Animation/Krump	"Keep It Movin”—Empire Cast feat. Serayah McNeill and Yazz
Jim Nowakowski	Ballet	"You’re So Beautiful"—Empire Cast feat. Jussie Smollett and Yazz
Hailee Payne	Contemporary	"Nothing to Lose"—Empire Cast feat. Jussie Smollett
Derek Piquette	Contemporary	"Drip Drop”—Empire Cast feat. Yazz and Serayah McNeill
Megz Alfonso	Hip-hop	"No Apologies"—Empire Cast feat. Jussie Smollett and Yazz
Edson Juarez	Contemporary	”I Wanna Love You”—Empire Cast feat. Jussie Smollett

Top 8 (August 24, 2015)

• Group Dance: Music: "Lillies of the Valley"—Pina (soundtrack), Style: Broadway; Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
• Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo

Dancers	Style	Music	Choreographer(s)	Result
Virgil Gadson Jasmine Harper	African jazz	”Kintamani (Hanoman’s Forest Mix”) —Transglobal Underground	Sean Cheesman	Safe
Derek Piquette Jaimie Goodwin	Contemporary	"Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer"—Stevie Wonder	Tyce Diorio
Hailee Payne Dushant “Fik-Shun” Stegall	Hip-hop	"Let It Go"—Chonique Sneed	Luther Brown	Safe
Megz Alfonso Paul Karmiryan	Paso Doble	"Blade of Blood"—Tom Player	Jean-Marc Genereux	Eliminated
Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge Kayla Radomski	Jazz	”Infinity” —The xx	Ray Leeper
Jim Nowakowski Comfort Fedoke	[|[[Hip-hop (dance)|Hip-hop]]|"Hey Mama"—David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha and Afrojack|”Christopher "Pharside" Jennings” and “Krystal "Phoenix" Meraz”|Eliminated|-|Gaby Diaz Robert Roldan|Contemporary|"Angel"—Sarah McLachlan|Mandy Moore|Safe|-|Jaja Vankova Ricky Ubeda|Broadway|"Let’s Face The Music and Dance”— Nat King Cole|Al Blackstone|Safe|-|Team Street|Hip-hop|"Finna Get Loose"—Puff Daddy and The Family feat. Pharrell Williams|Dave Scott|N/A|-|Team Stage|Contemporary|"Give Me Love"—Ed Sheeran|Tessandra Chavez|N/A|} Solos: Dancer Style Music Jim Nowakowski Ballet ”The Four Seasons: Summer”—Antonio Vivaldi Jaja Vankova Animation/Krump "Hype City”—Tighteyez Gaby Diaz Tap "Oye Como Va"—Santana Derek Piquette Contemporary "Two Men In Love”—The Irrepressibles Virgil Gadson Hip-hop "i"—Kendrick Lamar Hailee Payne Jazz "Vanguardian"—Steed Lord Megz Alfonso Hip-hop "Delirious (Boneless)"—Steve Aoki, Chris Lake and Tujamo feat. Kid Ink Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge Freestyle "Get Big"—Dorrough Top 6 (August 31, 2015) Group Dance: Music: "Everybody Hurts"—Jasmine Thompson Style: Contemporary; Choreographer: Mandy Moore Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo Dancers Style Music Choreographer(s) Gaby Diaz Marko Germar Pop Jazz ”Emergency”—Icona Pop Ray Leeper Jaja Vankova Alex Wong Contemporary ”Youth”—Daughter Tessandra Chavez Megz Alfonso Joshua Allen Hip-hop "Freedom"—Pharrell Williams Christopher Scott Jim Nowakowski Anya Garnis Samba "Chillando Goma"—Fulanito Dmitry Chaplin Virgil Gadson Melanie Moore Contemporary ”All Is Now Harmed”—Ben Howard Justin Giles Hailee Payne Robert Roldan Jazz "Haunted"—Beyoncé RJ Durell and Nick Florez Gaby Diaz Jim Nowakowski Broadway "Fever"—Michael Bublé Josh Bergasse Hailee Payne Megz Alfonso Contemporary ”Sarajevo”—Max Richter and Sara Leonard Stacey Tookey Jaja Vankova Virgil Gadson Hip-hop ”If You Crump Stand Up”—edIT ”Christopher "Pharside" Jennings” and “Krystal "Phoenix" Meraz” Solos: Dancer Style Music Virgil Gadson Hip-hop "Rock the Bells"—LL Cool J Hailee Payne Jazz "Elastic Heart"—Sia Gaby Diaz Tap ”It’s Your Thing”—Christian McBride feat. Dee Dee Bridgewater Jaja Vankova Animation/Krump "Laundry”—edIT Jim Nowakowski Ballet ”Ra”—Nathan Lanier Megz Alfonso Hip-hop "Let It Go"—James Bay Top 4 Performance Finale (September 7, 2015) Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo Dancers Style Music Choreographer(s) Jaja Vankova Hailee Payne Hip-hop ”Put It In The Bag”—Kalenna feat. B Simm Misha Gabriel and Nick Bass Gaby Diaz Virgil Gadson Lyrical hip-hop ”Slip”—Elliot Moss Phillip Chbeeb Gaby Diaz Jaja Vankova Jazz ”Woman (Oh Mama)”—Joy Williams Nick Florez and RJ Durell Jaja Vankova Virgil Gadson Contemporary ”I Love You (Acoustic)”—Woodkid Stacey Tookey Hailee Payne Virgil Gadson Broadway ”Billy-A-Dick”—Bette Midler Josh Bergasse Gaby Diaz Hailee Payne Contemporary ”Do Not Hang Your Head”—Elizabeth & the Catapult Travis Wall Virgil Gadson Joshua Allen Hip-hop ”Let's Go"—Trick Daddy feat. Twista and Lil Jon Christopher "Pharside" Jennings and Krystal "Phoenix" Meraz Hailee Payne Marko Germar Jazz ”All Nite (Don't Stop)”—Janet Jackson Ray Leeper Jaja Vankova Cyrus "Glitch" Spencer Animation ”Kaolo”—Yellow Claw Christopher Scott Gaby Diaz Zack Everhart Tap ”Dibidy Dop (Swing Mix)”—Club des Belugas feat. Brenda Boykin Anthony Morigerato Solos: Dancer Style Music Gaby Diaz Tap "Magalenha"—Sérgio Mendes Virgil Gadson Hip-hop/Animation "A Beautiful Mine"—RJD2 Hailee Payne Jazz "Cold Hearted"—Paula Abdul Jaja Vankova Animation/Krump "Street Side"—20 Killz Season Finale (September 14, 2015): Judges & finalists' picks Dancers Style Music Choreographer Chosen by Virgil Gadson Joshua Allen Hip-hop "Let's Go"—Trick Daddy Pharside & Phoenix Jason Derulo Edson Juarez Megz Alfonso Contemporary "You There"—Aquilo Talia Favia Paula Abdul Jaja Vankova Ricky Ubeda Broadway "Let’s Face The Music and Dance”—Nat King Cole Al Blackstone Paula Abdul Team Street Hip-hop "Ready or Not Here I Come"—District 78 Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo Cat Deeley Gaby Diaz Neptune Eskridge Contemporary "Take My Hand"—Precious Lord Stacey Tookey tWitch Little Phoenix Cyrus Spencer Animation "Emergency"—District 78 — Nigel Lythgoe Hailee Payne Robert Roldan Jazz "Haunted"—Beyoncé RJ Durell and Nick Florez Hailee Payne Gaby Diaz Joshua Allen Hip-hop "I'm Really Hot"—Missy Elliott Pharside & Phoenix Travis Wall Team Stage Contemporary "Beautiful Friends"—Helen Money Travis Wall Jason Derulo Virgil Gadson Hailee Payne Hip-hop "Runnin—Noahplause Pharside & Phoenix Virgil Gadson Jim Nowakowski Alex Wong Contemporary "November"—Max Richter Travis Wall Viewers Jaja Vankova Alex Wong Contemporary "Youth"—Daughter Tessandra Chavez Nigel Lythgoe Jaja Vankova Jim Nowakowski Lyrical hip-hop "No Woman, No Cry"—Bob Marley Christopher Scott Jaja Vankova Gaby Diaz Robert Roldan Contemporary "Angel"—Sarah McLachlan Mandy Moore Gaby Diaz All-Stars Dance Pool All Star! style="background:#ccc;" colspan="5" Partner Season Dancer Dance Styles Placement Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 3 Anya Garnis Latin Ballroom Top 12 bgcolor=red Jim Jaimie Goodwin Contemporary Top 10 bgcolor=red Edson bgcolor=red Derek 4 Joshua Allen Hip-hop Winner Gaby bgcolor=red Megz Virgil Comfort Fedoke Hip-hop Top 8 Virgil Jim 5 Brandon Bryant Contemporary/Modern Runner-up Hailee Kayla Radomski Contemporary 4th Place Derek bgcolor=red Neptune 7 Alex Wong Ballet 8th Place Jaja Jaja Robert Roldan Jazz 3rd Place Gaby Hailee 8 Marko Germar Lyrical Jazz 3rd Place Megz Gaby Hailee Melanie Moore Contemporary Winner Virgil 9 Cyrus "Glitch" Spencer Animation Male Runner-Up Jaja 10 Jasmine Harper Contemporary/Hip-hop Female Runner-up Neptune Virgil Paul Karmiryan Latin Ballroom Top 6 Megz Dushant "Fik-Shun" Stegall Hip-hop Male Winner Hailee 11 Zack Everhart, Jr. Tap 4th Place bgcolor=gold Gaby Jessica Richens Jazz 3rd Place Jim Ricky Ubeda Contemporary Winner Jaja This dancer was eliminated this week. This dancer was in the bottom 4 this week. This dancer placed second in the competition. This dancer won the competition. Ratings U.S. Nielsen ratings Show Episode First Air Date Rating (18–49) Share (18–49) Viewers (millions) Rank (timeslot) Rank (night) Rank (week) 1 Auditions #1: Memphis and Dallas June 1, 2015 1.3 4 4.03 3 4^[8] 15^[9] 2 Auditions #2: Detroit June 8, 2015 1.1 4 3.78 3 (tie) 3 (tie)^[10] — 3 Auditions #3: Los Angeles June 15, 2015 1.3 4 4.27 3 3^[11] 16^[12] 4 Auditions #4: New York June 22, 2015 0.9 3 3.31 3 5 (tie)^[13] — 5 Vegas Callbacks #1 June 29, 2015 0.9 3 3.38 3 (tie) 5 (tie)^[14] — 6 Vegas Callbacks #2 / Top 20 Chosen July 6, 2015 1.0 4 3.43 3 3^[15] 23^[16] 7 Top 20 Perform July 13, 2015 1.0 3 3.33 3 (tie) 4 (tie)^[17] 21^[18] 8 Top 20 Perform + Elimination July 20, 2015 1.0 4 3.23 3 4^[19] 22^[20] 9 A Decade of Dance July 21, 2015 0.8 3 2.48 2 (tie) 4 (tie)^[21] — 10 Top 18 Perform + Elimination July 27, 2015 0.8 3 2.85 4 7 (tie)^[22] — 11 Top 16 Perform + Elimination August 3, 2015 0.9 3 3.20 3 (tie) 4 (tie)^[23] — 12 Top 14 Perform + Elimination August 10, 2015 0.9 3 3.45 4 5 (tie)^[24] — 13 Top 10 Perform + Elimination August 17, 2015 0.9 3 3.18 3 (tie) 4 (tie)^[25] — 14 Top 8 Perform + Elimination August 24, 2015 0.9 3 3.04 3 (tie) 4 (tie)^[26] — 15 Top 6 Perform + Elimination August 31, 2015 0.8 3 2.94 4 6 (tie)^[27] — 16 Finale Part 1: Top 4 Perform September 7, 2015 0.7 2 2.64 4 8 (tie)^[28] — 17 Finale Part 2: Winner Chosen September 14, 2015 0.8 3 2.44 4 6 (tie)^[29] — See also List of So You Think You Can Dance finalists References

Notes and References

1. Web site: So You Think You Can Dance – Season 12 hits the road . June 15, 2015. December 17, 2014. Fox.com.
2. Web site: So You Think You Can Dance lets Twitter save Stage, Street favorites . Terri . Schwartz. August 24, 2015. July 20, 2015. Zap2it.
3. Web site: Episode Title: (DAN-1204) "Auditions #4 New York". The Futon Critic. June 15, 2015.
4. Web site: Episode Title: (DAN-1203) "Auditions #3 Los Angeles". The Futon Critic. June 15, 2015.
5. Web site: So You Think You Can Dance Recap: Which Dancers Light Up the Big Apple? . Stempel . Kim . BuddyTV. June 22, 2015 . June 23, 2015.
6. Web site: Episode Title: (DAN-1205) "Vegas Callbacks #1". The Futon Critic. June 15, 2015.
7. Web site: Episode Title: (DAN-1206) "Vegas Callbacks #2 / Top 20 Chosen" . The Futon Critic. June 17, 2015.
8. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'So You Think You Can Dance' Adjusted Up; 'The Island' Adjusted Down . https://web.archive.org/web/20150603131407/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/02/monday-final-ratings-so-you-think-you-can-dance-adjusted-up-the-island-adjusted-down/411233/ . dead . June 3, 2015 . Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. June 2, 2015. June 15, 2015.
9. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: NBA Finals Game 2 Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending June 7, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150611010657/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/09/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-nba-finals-game-2-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-june-7-2015/413846/ . dead . June 11, 2015 . Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. June 9, 2015. June 16, 2015.
10. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'American Ninja Warrior' Adjusted Up; 'The Island' Adjusted Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20150610050734/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/09/monday-final-ratings-american-ninja-warrior-adjusted-up-the-island-adjusted-down/414653/ . dead . June 10, 2015 . Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. June 9, 2015. June 15, 2015.
11. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: NHL Stanley Cup Final Adjusted Up . https://web.archive.org/web/20150617040727/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/16/monday-final-ratings-nhl-stanley-cup-final-adjusted-up/417990/ . dead . June 17, 2015 . Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. June 16, 2015. June 16, 2015.
12. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: NBA Finals Game 6 Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending June 21, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150624013207/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/23/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-nba-finals-game-6-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-june-21-2015/420463/. dead. June 24, 2015. Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. June 23, 2015. June 30, 2015.
13. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'The Bachelorette' Adjusted Up; 'The Island' Adjusted Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20150624113727/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/23/monday-final-ratings-the-bachelorette-adjusted-up-the-island-adjusted-down/421264/. dead. June 24, 2015. Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. June 23, 2015. June 30, 2015.
14. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: No Adjustment for 'The Whispers', 'American Ninja Warrior' or 'So You Think You Can Dance . https://web.archive.org/web/20150703022937/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/30/monday-final-ratings-no-adjustment-for-the-whispers-american-ninja-warrior-or-so-you-think-you-can-dance/424312/ . dead . 2015-07-03 . Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. June 30, 2015. June 30, 2015.
15. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'American Ninja Warrior' Adjusted Up; 'The Island' & 'Whose Line Is It Anyway' Adjusted Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20150709222642/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/07/08/monday-final-ratings-american-ninja-warrior-adjusted-up-the-island-whose-line-is-it-anyway-adjusted-down/427989/. dead. July 9, 2015. Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. July 8, 2015. July 16, 2015.
16. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'America's Got Talent' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending July 12, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150715103115/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/07/14/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-americas-got-talent-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-july-12-2015/430156/ . dead . July 15, 2015 . Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. July 14, 2015. July 28, 2015.
17. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'American Ninja Warrior' Adjusted Up; 'Running Wild With Bear Grylls' & 'Cedric's Barber Battle' Adjusted Down . https://web.archive.org/web/20150715065429/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/07/14/monday-final-ratings-american-ninja-warrior-adjusted-up-running-wild-with-bear-grylls-cedrics-barber-battle-adjusted-down/430895/ . dead . July 15, 2015 . Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. July 14, 2015. July 16, 2015.
18. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: MLB All-Star Game Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending July 19, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150723072255/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/07/21/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-mlb-all-star-game-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-july-19-2015/433422/ . dead . July 23, 2015 . Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. July 21, 2015. July 28, 2015.
19. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'American Ninja Warrior' Adjusted Up; 'The Whispers' & 'Running Wild With Bear Grylls' Adjusted Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20150724180703/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/07/21/monday-final-ratings-american-ninja-warrior-adjusted-up-the-whispers-running-wild-with-bear-grylls-adjusted-down/434222/. dead. July 24, 2015. Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. July 21, 2015. July 22, 2015.
20. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'America's Got Talent' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending July 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150801013435/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/07/28/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-americas-got-talent-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-july-26-2015/438969/ . dead . August 1, 2015 . Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. July 28, 2015. July 28, 2015.
21. Web site: Tuesday Final Ratings: 'So You Think You Can Dance' & 'Knock Knock Live' Adjusted Up. https://web.archive.org/web/20150723055245/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/07/22/tuesday-final-ratings-so-you-think-you-can-dance-knock-knock-live-adjusted-up/434739/. dead. July 23, 2015. Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. July 22, 2015. July 28, 2015.
22. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'The Bachelorette' Adjusted Up; 'Penn & Teller: Fool Us', 'Cedric's Barber Battle', 'Running Wild With Bear Grylls', & 'After the Final Rose' Adjusted Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20150730131906/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/07/28/monday-final-ratings-the-bachelorette-adjusted-up-penn-teller-fool-us-cedrics-barber-battle-running-wild-with-bear-grylls-after-the-final-rose-adjusted-down/438666/ . dead . July 30, 2015 . Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. July 28, 2015. July 28, 2015.
23. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'American Ninja Warrior' Adjusted Up; 'Running Wild With Bear Grylls' Adjusted Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20150806185003/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/08/04/monday-final-ratings-american-ninja-warrior-adjusted-up-running-wild-with-bear-grylls-adjusted-down/442621/ . dead . August 6, 2015 . Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. August 4, 2015. August 7, 2015.
24. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'American Ninja Warrior' Adjusted Up; 'Significant Mother' & 'Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise' Adjusted Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20150813000810/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/08/11/monday-final-ratings-american-ninja-warrior-adjusted-up-significant-mother-bachelor-in-paradise-after-paradise-adjusted-down/446516/ . dead . August 13, 2015 . Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. August 11, 2015. August 12, 2015.
25. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'American Ninja Warrior' Adjusted Up; 'Penn & Teller Fool Us', 'Whose Line Is It Anyway', 'Significant Mother' & 'Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise' Adjusted Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20150820201750/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/08/18/monday-final-ratings-american-ninja-warrior-adjusted-up-penn-teller-fool-us-whose-line-is-it-anyway-significant-mother-bachelor-in-paradise-after-paradise-adjusted-down/449682/ . dead . August 20, 2015 . Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. August 18, 2015. August 18, 2015.
26. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'Running Wild With Bear Grylls', 'Penn & Teller: Fool Us', 'Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise', 'Whose Line is it Anyway?' & 'Significant Mother' Adjusted Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20150827084232/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/08/25/monday-final-ratings-running-wild-with-bear-grylls-penn-teller-fool-us-bachelor-in-paradise-after-paradise-whose-line-is-it-anyway-significant-mother-adjusted-down/452908/ . dead . August 27, 2015 . Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. August 25, 2015. August 25, 2015.
27. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'Running Wild With Bear Grylls' Adjusted Down; No Adjustment to 'Whose Line is it Anyway?. https://web.archive.org/web/20150902232514/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/09/01/monday-final-ratings-running-wild-with-bear-grylls-adjusted-down-no-adjustment-to-whose-line-is-it-anyway/456294/ . dead . 2015-09-02 . Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. September 1, 2015. September 1, 2015.
28. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'American Ninja Warrior' & 'Bachelor in Paradise' Adjusted Up. https://web.archive.org/web/20150911193805/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/09/09/monday-final-ratings-american-ninja-warrior-bachelor-in-paradise-adjusted-up/459811/ . dead . September 11, 2015 . Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. September 9, 2015. September 9, 2015.
29. Web site: Monday Final Ratings: 'Dancing With the Stars' Down, 'American Ninja Warrior' & 'DanceBattle America' Adjusted Up. https://web.archive.org/web/20150918025825/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/09/15/monday-final-ratings-dancing-with-the-stars-down-american-ninja-warrior-dancebattle-america-adjusted-up/467094/ . dead . September 18, 2015 . Dixon. Dani. TV by the Numbers. September 16, 2015. September 17, 2015.