So You Think You Can Dance (American season 8)


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 finals, in contrast to season 7's Top 11. Contemporary dancer 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. DialIdol covered only the last four weeks of this season.

Judging panel

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 DateLocationAudition DateJudges
May 26, 2011Paramount Theatre - Oakland, California October 13, 2010Nigel Lythgoe, Tyce Diorio, Toni Redpath
May 26, 2011Fox Theatre - Atlanta, GeorgiaFebruary 19, 2011Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Lil' C
June 1, 2011Brooklyn, New YorkNovember 15, 2010Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Jason Gilkison
June 1, 2011Capitol Theater - Salt Lake City, UtahFebruary 2, 2011Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Robin Antin
June 2, 2011Orpheum Theatre - Los Angeles, CaliforniaMarch 12, 2011Nigel 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
Individual soloMusic chosen by contestantThe dancer
Hip-HopNapoleon and Tabitha D'umo
Broadway"I Gotcha" from FosseTyce Diorio
Jive"Blue Suede Shoes "—Elvis PresleyJason Gilkison
Group routinesPicked out of a hatThe dancers
Contemporary"Yellow"—Vitamin String QuartetTravis Wall
Individual soloMusic chosen by contestantThe dancer

Finals

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 finals began with a Top 20. When the show reached Top 10 week, contestants from previous seasons 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 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 finalists

Female contestants

Contestants are listed alphabetically by first name, then in reverse chronological order of elimination.

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)

DancersStyleMusicChoreographer
Ricky Jaime
Miranda Maleski
Sasha Mallory
Melanie Moore
Contemporary"In This Shirt"—The IrrepressiblesStacey Tookey
Tadd Gadduang
Wadi Jones
Chris Koehl
Robert Taylor Jr.
Hip-hop"Everyday "—Swizz Beatz feat. EveDave Scott
Iveta Lukosiute
Pasha Kovalev
Ballroom Medley
"Ven a Bailar "—Jennifer Lopez feat. PitbullJason Gilkison
Jordan Casanova
Marko Germar
Missy Morelli
Clarice Ordaz
Jazz"Vanguardian"—Steed LordSonya Tayeh
Jess LeProtto
Nick Young
Broadway/Tap"Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter"—Nina SimoneChristopher Scott
Alexander Fost
Mitchell Kelly
Caitlynn Lawson
Ryan Ramirez
Ashley Rich
Contemporary"Moth's Wings"—Passion PitTravis Wall
Top 10 male dancersHip-hop/Contemporary"Velocity"—Nathan LanierChristopher Scott
Top 10 female dancersJazz"Pop Drop & Roll"—Chonique Sneed & Lisette BustamanteSonya Tayeh
Top 20Jazz"Little Bird"—Annie LennoxTyce Diorio

Top 20 Perform (June 15, 2011)

DancersStyleMusicChoreographerResult
Jordan Casanova
Tadd Gadduang
African Jazz"Riding the Waves"—Afro Celt Sound SystemSean CheesmanBottom 3
Sasha Mallory
Alexander Fost
Contemporary"Stupid" —Sarah McLachlanTravis WallSafe
Clarice Ordaz
Jess LeProtto
Broadway"Me and My Baby"—Liza MinnelliTyce DiorioBottom 3
Ryan Ramirez
Ricky Jaime
Lyrical hip-hop"Ain't No Sunshine"—Lighthouse FamilyChristopher ScottSafe
Caitlynn Lawson
Robert Roldan
Jazz"In For the Kill" —La RouxSonya TayehSafe
Miranda Maleski
Robert Taylor Jr.
Jive"Runaway Baby"—Bruno MarsJason GilkisonBottom 3
Missy Morelli
Wadi Jones
Pop Jazz"Judas" —Lady GagaSean CheesmanSafe
Melanie Moore
Marko Germar
Contemporary"Turn to Stone"—Ingrid MichaelsonTravis WallSafe
Ashley Rich
Chris Koehl
Hip-Hop"Forget You"—Cee Lo GreenChristopher ScottSafe
Iveta Lukosiute
Nick Young
Quickstep"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)

DancersStyleMusicChoreographerResult
Ryan Ramirez
Ricky Jaime
Jazz"Addicted to Love"—Robert PalmerMandy MooreBottom 3
Caitlynn Lawson
Mitchell Kelly
Contemporary"Turning Tables"—AdeleStacey TookeySafe
Missy Morelli
Wadi Jones
Cha-cha-cha"Cannibal"—KeshaJean-Marc GénéreuxBoth eliminated
Iveta Lukosiute
Nick Young
Bollywood"Baawre" from Luck by ChanceNakul Dev MahajanBoth eliminated
Miranda Maleski
Robert Taylor Jr.
Hip-hop"Break Ya Neck"—Busta RhymesNappytabsSafe
Clarice Ordaz
Jess LeProtto
Contemporary"Cathedrals"—Jump, Little ChildrenStacey TookeySafe
Jordan Casanova
Tadd Gadduang
Viennese Waltz"Fade Into Me"—David CookJean-Marc GénéreuxSafe
Melanie Moore
Marko Germar
Jazz"Sing, Sing, Sing " —DKSMandy MooreSafe
Sasha Mallory
Alexander Fost
Hip-hop"Coming Home"—Diddy-Dirty Money feat. Skylar GreyNappytabsSafe
Ashley Rich
Chris Koehl
Broadway"Please, Mr. Jailer"—Rachel SweetSpencer LiffSafe

Top 16 Perform (June 29, 2011)

DancersStyleMusicChoreographerResult
Sasha Mallory
Chris Koehl
Ryan Ramirez
Tadd Gadduang
Clarice Ordaz
Marko Germar
Miranda Maleski
Mitchell Kelly
Broadway"Hit the Road Jack"—Ray CharlesTyce DiorioNo Results
Sasha Mallory
Alexander Fost
Contemporary"Belong"—Cary BrothersDee CasparySafe
Caitlynn Lawson
Mitchell Kelly
Samba"Put It in a Love Song"—Alicia Keys feat. Beyoncé KnowlesJean-Marc GénéreuxBottom 3
Miranda Maleski
Robert Taylor Jr.
Broadway"It Don't Mean a Thing " from Sophisticated LadiesTyce DiorioBoth eliminated
Melanie Moore
Marko Germar
Lyrical hip-hop"I Got You"—Leona LewisNappytabsSafe
Ashley Rich
Chris Koehl
Jazz"Lights Go Down" —TelepatheSonya TayehBottom 3
Clarice Ordaz
Jess LeProtto
Foxtrot"Fly Me to the Moon"—Frank SinatraJean-Marc GénéreuxSafe
Ryan Ramirez
Ricky Jaime
Contemporary"With Every Heartbeat" —RobynSonya TayehSafe
Jordan Casanova
Tadd Gadduang
Hip-hop"Memories"—David Guetta feat. Kid CudiNappytabsSafe
Jordan Casanova
Robert Taylor Jr.
Melanie Moore
Jess LeProtto
Ashley Rich
Alexander Fost
Caitlynn Lawson
Ricky Jaime
Contemporary"Poison & Wine"—The Civil WarsDee CasparyNo Results

Top 14 Perform (July 6, 2011)

DancersStyleMusicChoreographerResult
Top 7 male dancersContemporary"Prague"—Damien RiceJustin GilesNo results
Melanie Moore
Marko Germar
Latin Jazz"Americano"—Lady GagaRay LeeperSafe
Sasha Mallory
Alexander Fost
Hip-hop"To the Moon"—MiguelShaun EvaristoSafe
Jordan Casanova
Tadd Gadduang
Smooth Waltz"Nocturne"—Secret GardenToni RedpathBottom 3
Clarice Ordaz
Jess LeProtto
Contemporary"Light Through the Branches"—Celeste LearJustin GilesSafe
Ashley Rich
Chris Koehl
Salsa"Mambo Beat"—Tito PuenteLiz LiraBoth eliminated
Ryan Ramirez
Ricky Jaime
Jazz"Fashion"—David BowieCharles KlapowBottom 3
Caitlynn Lawson
Mitchell Kelly
Contemporary"To Love You More"—Celine DionMandy MooreSafe
Top 7 female dancersJazz"My Discarded Men"—Eartha Kitt feat. Bronski BeatRay LeeperNo results

Top 12 Perform (July 13, 2011)

DancersStyleMusicChoreographerResult
Sasha Mallory
Alexander Fost
Paso Doble"Alley Dash/March of the Trolls"—Taylor Long/Rick PowellTony Meredith
Melanie LaPatin
Fost eliminated
Sasha Mallory
Alexander Fost
Jazz"That's Life"—Aretha FranklinTyce DiorioFost eliminated
Jordan Casanova
Tadd Gadduang
Contemporary"Brotsjór"—Ólafur ArnaldsTravis WallSafe
Jordan Casanova
Tadd Gadduang
Broadway"Out Tonight" from Rent Spencer LiffSafe
Ryan Ramirez
Ricky Jaime
Broadway"All I Need is the Girl"—Frank SinatraSpencer LiffRamirez eliminated
Ryan Ramirez
Ricky Jaime
Cha-cha-cha"Tonight "—Enrique Iglesias featuring DJ Frank ELouis van AmstelRamirez eliminated
Caitlynn Lawson
Mitchell Kelly
Hip-hop"Break the Chain"—Lupe Fiasco feat. Eric Turner and SwayChristopher ScottBottom 3
Caitlynn Lawson
Mitchell Kelly
Jazz"Piece of My Heart"—Janis JoplinTravis WallBottom 3
Melanie Moore
Marko Germar
Tango"Triptico"—Gotan ProjectLouis van AmstelSafe
Melanie Moore
Marko Germar
Contemporary"Skin and Bones"—David J. RochDee CasparySafe
Clarice Ordaz
Jess LeProtto
Lyrical hip-hop"Just The Way You Are"—Boyce AvenueChristopher ScottSafe
Clarice Ordaz
Jess LeProtto
Jive"Ain't Nothing Wrong With That"—Robert Randolph and the Family BandTony Meredith
Melanie LaPatin
Safe

Top 10 Perform (July 20, 2011)

DancersStyleMusicChoreographerResult
Marko Germar
Chelsie Hightower
Samba"Cinema Italiano" —Kate HudsonJason GilkisonSafe
Brandon Bryant
Jordan Casanova
Contemporary"Who You Are" —Jessie JDwight Rhoden
Desmond Richardson
Bottom 4
Comfort Fedoke
Tadd Gadduang
Hip-hop"Look at Me Now"—Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Busta RhymesChuck MaldonadoSafe
Mitchell Kelly
Melody Lacayanga
Broadway"Take Off With Us" from All That JazzTyce DiorioEliminated
Pasha Kovalev
Caitlynn Lawson
Argentine Tango"Malajunta"—Orquesta Color TangoMiriam Larici
Leonardo Barrionuevo
Safe
Stephen "tWitch" Boss
Sasha Mallory
Hip-hop"Misty Blue"—Dorothy MooreChristopher ScottSafe
Jess LeProtto
Kathryn McCormick
Contemporary"The Lonely"—Christina PerriStacey TookeySafe
Pasha Kovalev
Melanie Moore
Viennese Waltz"Everybody Hurts"—Tina ArenaJason GilkisonSafe
Allison Holker
Ricky Jaime
Jazz"Precious Things"—Tori AmosTyce DiorioBottom 4
Clarice Ordaz
Robert Roldan
Bollywood"Aila Re Aila" from Khatta MeethaNakul Dev MahajanEliminated

DancerStyleMusicResult
Sasha MalloryContemporary"Syrup & Honey"—DuffySafe
Jess LeProttoBroadway"Come By Me"—Harry Connick Jr.Safe
Melanie MooreContemporary"You're the One That I Want"—Angus & Julia StoneSafe
Ricky JaimeContemporary"Daylight Breaks"—Cassidy HaleyBottom 4
Clarice OrdazJazz"Royal T"—Crookers feat. Róisín MurphyEliminated
Mitchell KellyContemporary"This Time"—John LegendEliminated
Jordan CasanovaContemporary"Tonight"—Lykke LiBottom 4
Tadd GadduangB-boying"Everything I Can't Have"—Robin ThickeSafe
Caitlynn LawsonContemporary"Cosmic Love"—Florence and the MachineSafe
Marko GermarJazz"More Than Anyone" —Gavin DeGrawSafe

Top 8 Perform (July 27, 2011)

DancersStyleMusicChoreographerResult
Pasha Kovalev
Sasha Mallory
Quickstep"Puttin' On the Ritz"—Terry SnyderJonathan RobertsSafe
Ivan Koumaev
Caitlynn Lawson
Hip-hop"Let Me Love You"—MarioMarty KudelkaBottom 4
Ade Obayomi
Jordan Casanova
Jazz"Nutbush City Limits"—Tina TurnerTyce DiorioEliminated
Neil Haskell
Melanie Moore
Contemporary"Total Eclipse of the Heart"—Bonnie TylerMandy MooreSafe
Anya Garnis
Ricky Jaime
Jive"River Deep, Mountain High"—Celine DionJason GilkisonSafe
Lauren Gottlieb
Jess LeProtto
Hip-hop"Take A Bow"—RihannaNappytabsEliminated
Lauren Froderman
Tadd Gadduang
Jazz"Another One Bites the Dust"—QueenMandy MooreBottom 4
Allison Holker
Marko Germar
Contemporary"I Know It's Over"—Jeff BuckleySonya TayehSafe
Caitlynn Lawson
Tadd Gadduang
Foxtrot"Top Hat, White Tie and Tails"—Ella FitzgeraldJonathan RobertsBoth Bottom 4
Marko Germar
Ricky Jaime
Hip-hop"Bad Boy For Life"—Diddy feat. Black Rob & Mark CurryNappytabsBoth Safe
Jordan Casanova
Jess LeProtto
Rumba"Set Fire to the Rain"—AdeleJason GilkisonBoth Eliminated
Melanie Moore
Sasha Mallory
JazzGame On—District 78Sonya TayehBoth Safe

Top 6 Perform (August 3, 2011)

DancersStyleMusicChoreographerResult

Melanie Moore
Hip-hop"Roman's Revenge"—Nicki Minaj feat. Lil WayneNappytabsSafe
Kent Boyd
Sasha Mallory
Contemporary"Fool of Me"—Meshell NdegeocelloTyce DiorioSafe
Marko Germar
Janette Manrara
Paso Doble"Zorongo" —Antonia Gomez, Ely "La Gambita", Guillermo Basilisco & Paco PeñaDmitry ChaplinSafe
Tadd Gadduang
Ellenore Scott
Jazz"The Gulag Orkestar"—BeirutSonya TayehSafe
Jaimie Goodwin
Ricky Jaime
Contemporary"Inside These Lines"—Trent DabbsDee CasparyEliminated
Pasha Kovalev
Caitlynn Lawson
Samba"Drop It Low" —Kat DeLunaDmitry ChaplinEliminated
Ricky Jaime
Sasha Mallory
Waacking"Schoolin' Life"—Beyoncé KnowlesKumari SurajJaime eliminated
Tadd Gadduang
Melanie Moore
Broadway" Love Story" —Shirley BasseySpencer LiffSafe
Marko Germar
Caitlynn Lawson
Lyrical Jazz"Heavy in Your Arms"—Florence and the MachineSonya TayehLawson eliminated

DancerStyleMusicResult
Ricky JaimeContemporary"After Tonight"—Justin NozukaEliminated
Caitlynn LawsonContemporary"What's Love Got to Do with It"— Katie ThompsonEliminated
Tadd GadduangB-boying"We No Speak Americano"—Yolanda Be Cool & DCUPSafe
Sasha MalloryJazz"Teeth"—Lady GagaSafe
Marko GermarContemporary"Wonderful World "—James MorrisonSafe
Melanie MooreJazz"Cracks" —Freestylers feat. Belle HumbleSafe

Top 4 Perform (August 10, 2011)

DancersStyleMusicChoreographer
Melanie Moore
Marko Germar
Disco"I Feel Love" —Donna SummerDoriana Sanchez
Sasha Mallory
Mark Kanemura
Jazz"Raise Your Weapon"—Deadmau5Sonya Tayeh
Joshua Allen
Tadd Gadduang
Hip-hop"Hustle Hard"—Ace HoodLil' C
Melanie Moore
Robert Roldan
Contemporary"Sacrifice"—Sinéad O'ConnorStacey Tookey
Sasha Mallory
Marko Germar
Broadway"Whatever Lola Wants"—Ella FitzgeraldSpencer Liff
Sasha Mallory
Tadd Gadduang
Cha-cha-cha"Raindrops"—Basement JaxxMark Ballas
Lauren Froderman
Marko Germar
Contemporary"Shirk"—Meshell NdegeocelloTessandra Chavez
Melanie Moore
Tadd Gadduang
Jazz"Show Me What You're Working With"—Sista MonicaRay Leeper
Melanie Moore
Sasha Mallory
Contemporary"Heart Asks Pleasure First"—Ahn TrioStacey Tookey
Tadd Gadduang
Marko Germar
Stepping"B.O.B."—OutKastChuck Maldonado

DancerStyleMusic
Melanie MooreContemporary"Song for Viola"—Peter Bradley Adams
Marko GermarContemporary"The Fear You Won't Fall"—Joshua Radin
Tadd GadduangB-boying"Mama Knows Best"—Jessie J
Sasha MalloryContemporary"Be Be Your Love"—Rachael Yamagata

Result shows

Results show musical performances

Week 1 (June 16, 2011)

DancerStyleMusicResult
Mitchell KellyContemporary"Say"—John MayerSafe
Jordan CasanovaJazz"Hot Like Wow"—Nadia OhSafe
Tadd GadduangBreakdance"Jump, Jive An' Wail"—The Brian Setzer OrchestraSafe
Clarice OrdazJazz"Glam"—Christina AguileraSafe
Jess LeProttoBroadway"Mr. Bojangles"—Robbie WilliamsSafe
Miranda MaleskiContemporary"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"—Leona LewisSafe
Robert Taylor Jr.Hip-Hop"Electric"—OmarionSafe

DancerStyleMusicResult
Wadi JonesB-boying"Pon de Floor"—Major Lazer feat. Vybz KartelEliminated
Missy MorelliJazz"Move" —CSSEliminated
Nick YoungTap"Follow Me Down"—3OH!3 feat. Neon HitchEliminated
Iveta LukosiuteSamba"Samba Rock"—GennaroEliminated
Ricky JaimeContemporary"Riot Rhythm"—Sleigh BellsSafe
Ryan RamirezContemporary"Moving Mountains"—UsherSafe

DancerStyleMusicResult
Ashley RichContemporary"For You"—David Ryan HarrisSafe
Chris KoehlHip-hop"You're Gonna Make It"—KJ-52 feat. Blanca ReyesSafe
Miranda MaleskiContemporary"Unthinkable"—Maria ZouroudisEliminated
Robert Taylor Jr.Hip-hop"I Don't Need It"—Jamie FoxxEliminated
Caitlynn LawsonContemporary"It Doesn't Hurt" —Katie ThompsonSafe
Mitchell KellyContemporary"Rolling in the Deep"—AdeleSafe

Week 4 (July 7, 2011)

DancerStyleMusicResult
Ashley RichContemporary"Lovely"—John West feat. Pusha TEliminated
Chris KoehlHip-hop"Scars"—Basement Jaxx feat. Kelis, Meleka and ChipmunkEliminated
Jordan CasanovaJazz"Commander"—Kelly Rowland feat. David GuettaSafe
Tadd GadduangB-boying"1-2-3 "—Gloria EstefanSafe
Ryan RamirezContemporary"Adagio for Strings"—Brno Philharmonic OrchestraSafe
Ricky JaimeContemporary"When You Say My Name"—Mario SpinettiSafe

Week 5 (July 14, 2011)

DancerStyleMusicResult
Caitlynn LawsonJazz"The Edge of Glory"—Lady GagaSafe
Mitchell KellyContemporary"Ra"—Nathan LanierSafe
Ryan RamirezJazz"Not in Love"—Crystal Castles feat. Robert SmithEliminated
Ricky JaimeJazz"Body Language"—QueenSafe
Sasha MalloryModern"Thinkin' About Your Body"—Bobby McFerrinSafe
Alexander FostBallet"Palladio"—EscalaEliminated

Note: Now it's up to Top 10, they'll be voted individually by America. Also, new partners randomly picked whether they get a male or female and an All-Star pool.

Week 6 (July 21, 2011)

DancerStyleMusicResult
Clarice OrdazJazz"Let Me Think About It "-Ida Corr vs Fedde le GrandEliminated
Mitchell KellyContemporary"Time & Space"—The Cinematic OrchestraEliminated
Jordan CasanovaContemporary"Tonight"—Lykke LiSafe
Ricky JamieContemporary"Battle for the Beat"—District 78Safe

Week 7 (July 28, 2011)

DancerStyleMusicResult
Jordan CasanovaJazz-Funk"S&M"—RihannaEliminated
Jess LeProttoBroadway"Mack the Knife"—Kevin SpaceyEliminated
Caitlynn LawsonContemporary"What Turns You On"—Katie ThompsonSafe
Tadd GadduangB-boying"Jump in the Line"—Harry BelafonteSafe

Week 8 (August 4, 2011)

DancerStyleMusicResult
Sasha MalloryJazz"We Gonna Win"—Miri Ben-Ari feat. Styles P.Safe
Caitlynn LawsonContemporary"Touch"—Natasha BedingfieldEliminated
Melanie MooreContemporary"My Love"—Sia FurlerSafe
Tadd GadduangB-boying"Only So Much Oil in the Ground"—Tower of PowerSafe
Marko GermarContemporary"You Give Me Something" —James MorrisonSafe
Ricky JaimeContemporary"Requiem for a Tower"—London Music Works & Clint MansellEliminated

Week 9 (Finale) (August 11, 2011)

DancersStyleMusicChoreographerChosen by
Top 20Jazz"Wanna Get Hype"—District 78Sonya TayehN/A
Top 8Contemporary"The Circus Sets Up" from Water for Elephants
Tyce DiorioCat Deeley
Matt Flint

Nick Young
Tap"Can't Buy Me Love"—Michael BubléMatt Flint

Nick Young
N/A
Top 10 girlsJazz"Pop Drop & Roll"—Chonique Sneed & Lisette BustamanteSonya TayehTyce Diorio
Top 10 guysHip-hop"Velocity"—Nathan LainerChristopher ScottSonya Tayeh

Matt Flint is the winner of So You Think You Can Dance UK's second season, and this performance comprised a portion of his prize package.
Judges' picks

All-Stars Dance Pool

As opposed to last season, there is no set group of All-Star dancers. Rather, All-Stars will be changing weekly based on availability. On the July 14, 2011 results show, Lythgoe announced that Season 7 contestant Alex Wong—forced to withdraw after tearing an Achilles tendon—was asked to be an All-Star for Top 10 week, but that Wong tore his other Achilles tendon at an audition the Saturday prior and thus would not be able to participate.