So You Think You Can Dance is an American television dance competition that airs on the Fox network. The first season premiered on July 20, 2005, with Lauren Sánchez in her only season as host, Nigel Lythgoe as the main judge, and Mary Murphy, Dan Karaty, Mia Michaels and Brian Friedman as most frequent guest judges. Nick Lazzarini was crowned America's Favorite Dancer on October 5, 2005, with 37.7% of the votes.
Auditions Locations The main auditions for this season were held in following cities: Audition VenueCityJudgesChicago TheatreChicago, IllinoisNigel LythgoeBonnie LythgoeJeff ThackerManhattan Center TheatreNew York City, New YorkOrpheum TheatreLos Angeles, California
Format Audition contestants had one minute to impress the judges. A contestant deemed to be not good enough was sent straight home, otherwise, they were sent to a choreography round. After that, the judges decided the fifty contestants that got through to the Hollywood week.
Minimum age for contestants was 18; maximum was 30.
Hollywood week Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Dan Karaty, Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Alex Da Silva
Hollywood week was held in Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. 25 female contestants and 25 male contestants (each gender) were invited to participate in the callback auditions. This number was cut down to 8 female contestants and 8 male contestants, a total of 16 contestants (both gender) that came through to the live shows. Hollywood week included the following rounds, cuts were made at the end: Task/styleChoreographerSalsaAlex Da SilvaJazzBrian FriedmanHip-HopDan KaratyContemporaryMia MichaelsFoxtrotMary Murphy
Studio Shows Top 16 contestants Female contestants ContestantAgeHome TownDance Style Elimination datePlacementMelody Lacayanga22Los Angeles, CaliforniaContemporary / JazzRunner-upRunner-upAshlé Dawson21Long Beach Island, New JerseyContemporary / Jazz / African4th Place4th PlaceKamilah Barrett27Seattle, WashingtonHip-Hop / JazzSeptember 21, 2005Top 6Melissa Vella20Springfield, PennsylvaniaContemporary / JazzSeptember 14, 2005Top 8Destini Rogers22Oklahoma City, OklahomaContemporary / JazzSeptember 7, 2005Top 10Snejana "Snow" Urbin25Siberia, RussiaLatin Ballroom / Latin JazzAugust 31, 2005Top 12Michelle Brooke27Brooklyn, New YorkJazzAugust 24, 2005Top 14Sandra Colton27Las Vegas, NevadaTapAugust 17, 2005Top 16
Male contestants ContestantAgeHome TownDance Style Elimination datePlacementNick Lazzarini20Sunnyvale, CaliforniaJazzWinnerWinnerJamile McGee21Columbus, OhioHip-Hop / Popping3rd Place3rd PlaceBlake McGrath21Mississauga, Ontario, CanadaContemporary / JazzSeptember 21, 2005Top 6Artem Chigvintsev22Menlo Park, California (originally from Russia)Latin BallroomSeptember 14, 2005Top 8Ryan Conferido22Downey, CaliforniaBreakdanceSeptember 7, 2005Top 10Allan Frias30San Francisco, CaliforniaHip-HopAugust 31, 2005Top 12Craig DeRosa18Mount Sinai, New YorkContemporary / JazzAugust 24, 2005Top 14Jonathan "Jonnis" Tannis20Burnaby, British Columbia, CanadaHip-HopAugust 17, 2005Top 16
Canadian-born McGrath has since become lead choreographer and occasional third judge for So You Think You Can Dance Canada ; he is choreographer for those contestants who are sent to choreography.
Elimination chart + Legend Female Male Bottom 3 couples Bottom 2 couples
Week:8/178/248/319/79/149/2110/5ContestantResults Nick LazzariniBtm 3WinnerMelody LacayangaBtm 3Btm 2Btm 2Runner-UpJamile McGeeBtm 3Btm 2Btm 23rd PlaceAshlé DawsonBtm 24th PlaceBlake McGrathElimKamilah BarrettArtem ChigvintsevBtm 3ElimMelissa VellaRyan ConferidoBtm 2ElimDestini RogersAllan FriasBtm 3ElimSnejana "Snow" UrbinBtm 3Btm 3Craig DeRosaElimMichelle BrookeBtm 3Jonathan "Jonnis" TannisElimSandra Colton
Performance nights Week 1 (August 17, 2005) Judges: Brian Friedman, Mia Michaels, Nigel Lythgoe and Dan Karaty Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)ResultKamilah BarrettNick LazzariniHip-Hop"Touch"—OmarionBlake Anthony/Marty KudelkaSafeMichelle BrookeJonathan "Jonnis" TannisMambo"Caravan"—Eddie Torres and his Mambo KingsAlex DaSilvaJonathan "Jonnis" Tannis eliminatedSandra ColtonArtem ChigvintsevLyrical"Nora"—Blessid Union of SoulsAlex MagnoSandra Colton eliminatedAshlé DawsonJamile McGeeJive"Jim Dandy"—LaVern BakerMary MurphySafeSnejana "Snow" UrbinAllan FriasHip-Hop"Touch"—OmarionBlake Anthony/Marty KudelkaBottom 3Melissa VellaRyan ConferidoMambo"Caravan"—Eddie Torres and his Mambo KingsAlex DaSilvaSafeDestini RogersBlake McGrathLyrical"Nora"—Blessid Union of SoulsAlex MagnoSafeMelody LacayangaCraig DeRosaJive"Jim Dandy"—LaVern BakerMary MurphySafe Bottom 3 contestant's solos: ContestantStyleMusicResultMichelle BrookeHip-Hop"Dum Diddly"—The Black Eyed PeasSafeJonathan "Jonnis" TannisHip-Hop"Bebot"—The Black Eyed PeasEliminatedSandra ColtonTap"Hollaback Girl"—Gwen StefaniEliminatedArtem ChigvintsevRumba"Let Me Love You"—MarioSafeSnejana "Snow" UrbinSamba"Din Daa Daa"—George KranzSafeAllan FriasLyrical Hip-Hop"Take You Out"—Luther VandrossSafe Eliminated: Sandra Colton Jonathan "Jonnis" Tannis
Week 2 (August 24, 2005) Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Dan Karaty and Brian Friedman Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)ResultSnejana "Snow" UrbinJamile McGeeQuickstep"It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got That Swing)"—Geoff Love and his OrchestraGlenn WeissBottom 3Destini RogersBlake McGrathLyrical Jazz"A Song for You"—Donny HathawayMia MichaelsSafeMelody LacayangaCraig DeRosaHip-Hop"Tipsy"—J-KwonShane SparksCraig DeRosa eliminatedMichelle BrookeNick LazzariniQuickstep"It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got That Swing)"—Geoff Love and his OrchestraGlenn WeissMichelle Brooke eliminatedAshlé DawsonArtem ChigvintsevLyrical Jazz"A Song for You"—Donny HathawayMia MichaelsSafeKamilah BarrettAllan FriasHip-Hop"Tipsy"—J-KwonShane SparksSafeMelissa VellaRyan ConferidoSalsa"Cubanjam"—Orquesta la PalabraAlex Da SilvaSafe Bottom 3 contestant's solos: ContestantStyleMusicResultSnejana "Snow" UrbinCha-Cha"And She Said"—Lucas PrataSafeJamile McGeePopping"I Can Make You Dance"—ZappSafeMelody LacayangaJazz"You Can Leave Your Hat On"—Etta JamesSafeCraig DeRosaContemporary"Everything"—LifehouseEliminatedMichelle BrookeHip-Hop"Disco Club"—The Black Eyed PeasEliminatedNick LazzariniContemporary"Storm"—LifehouseSafe Eliminated: Michelle Brooke Craig DeRosa
Week 3 (August 31, 2005) Judges: Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)ResultAshlé DawsonBlake McGrathRock'n'Roll"Hound Dog"—Elvis PresleyTravis PayneSafeMelissa VellaArtem ChigvintsevPaso Doble"España cañí"—Boston Pops OrchestraRon MontezSafeMelody LacayangaAllan FriasLyrical"Rocket Man"—Elton JohnKeith YoungAllan Frias eliminatedSnejana "Snow" UrbinRyan ConferidoHip-Hop"Pon de Replay"—RihannaDan KaratySnejana "Snow" Urbin eliminatedDestini RogersJamile McGeeViennese Waltz"The Blue Danube"—Manhattan Pops OrchestraRon MontezSafeKamilah BarrettNick LazzariniDisco"You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)"—Sylvester JamesDoriana SánchezSafe Bottom 2 contestant's solos: ContestantStyleMusicResultMelody LacayangaContemporary"Seduces Me"—Celine DionSafeAllan FriasHip-Hop"Feel the Girl"—Ms. JadeEliminatedSnejana "Snow" UrbinCha-Cha"Ma Ya Hi"—Lucas PrataEliminatedRyan ConferidoBreakdance"Poison"—Bell Biv DeVoeSafe Eliminated: Snejana "Snow" Urbin Allan Frias
Week 4 (September 7, 2005) Judges: Brian Friedman, Mia Michaels, Nigel Lythgoe and Dan Karaty Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)ResultMelissa VellaArtem ChigvintsevPop"Don't Cha"—The Pussycat DollsDoriana SánchezSafeQuickstep"Big Swing Face"—Buddy RichGlenn WeissKamilah BarrettNick LazzariniTango"Tanguedia"—Prandi Sound Dance OrchestraMary MurphySafePop"I Drove All Night"—Celine DionDoriana SánchezMelody LacayangaRyan ConferidoLyrical"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"—Jeffrey GainesTovaris WilsonRyan Conferido eliminatedFoxtrot"Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby"—Renee OlsteadGlenn WeissDestini RogersJamile McGeeQuickstep"Sing, Sing, Sing"—Benny GoodmanGlenn WeissDestini Rogers eliminatedHip-Hop"Shake"—Ying Yang Twins feat. PitbullShane SparksAshlé DawsonBlake McGrathSamba"Jazz Machine"—Black MachineMary MurphySafeLyrical"Right Here Waiting"—Richard MarxTovaris Wilson Bottom 2 contestant's solos: ContestantStyleMusicResultMelody LacayangaJazz"Giving Him Something He Can Feel"—En VogueSafeRyan ConferidoBreakdance"Know the Ledge"—Erik B. & RakimEliminatedDestini RogersJazz"Bring on the Men"—Linda EderEliminatedJamile McGeePopping"Give It to Me, Baby"—Rick JamesSafe Eliminated: Destini Rogers Ryan Conferido
Week 5 (September 14, 2005) Judges: Dan Karaty, Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Brian Friedman Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)ResultKamilah BarrettNick LazzariniMambo"Mambo Cool"—Ernesto Marquez and his OrchestraAlex Da SilvaSafeContemporary"King of Pain"—The PoliceMia MichaelsMelody LacayangaBlake McGrathLyrical"Heaven"—DJ Sammy & Yanou feat. DoTovaris WilsonSafeDisco"You Should Be Dancing"—The Bee GeesDoriana SánchezAshlé DawsonArtem ChigvintsevFoxtrot"Fever"—Michael BubléHeather SmithArtem Chigvintsev eliminatedCha-Cha"El Sabroso Son"—La PalabraAlex Da SilvaMelissa VellaJamile McGeeHip-Hop"Can't Stop, Won't Stop"—Young Gunz feat. ChingyShane SparksMelissa Vella eliminatedPaso Doble"Spanish Gipsy Dance"—Tony EvansMark Weiss Bottom 2 contestant's solos: ContestantStyleMusicResultAshlé DawsonAfrican Jazz"La Corrida"—De La GuardaSafeArtem ChigvintsevCha-Cha"Don't Phunk with My Heart"—The Black Eyed PeasEliminatedMelissa VellaContemporary"Gone"—Kelly ClarksonEliminatedJamile McGeePopping"You Dropped a Bomb on Me"—The Gap BandSafe Eliminated: Melisa Vella Artem Chigvintsev
Week 6 (September 21, 2005) Judges: Mia Michaels, Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Dan Karaty Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)ResultKamilah BarrettJamile McGeeHip-Hop"Toma"—PitbullBrian FriedmanKamilah Barrett eliminatedJive"Jump, Jive and Wail"—Louis PrimaGlenn WeissAshlé DawsonBlake McGrathSmooth Waltz"Rilassamento"—Gianni PavesiMichael MeadBlake McGrath eliminatedArgentine Tango"Santa María (Del Buèn Ayré)"—Gotan ProjectAlex Da SilvaMelody LacayangaNick LazzariniBroadway"All That Jazz" from ChicagoTyce DiorioSafeDisco"Knock on Wood"—Amii StewartBrian Friedman Top 6 contestant's solos: ContestantStyleMusicResultKamilah BarrettJazz"Maniac"—Michael SembelloEliminatedJamile McGeePopping"Atomic Dog"—George ClintonSafeAshlé DawsonCha-Cha"I Like It Like That"—Tito NievesSafeBlake McGrathJazz"Body Language"—QueenEliminatedMelody LacayangaJazz"Brave and Crazy"—Melissa EtheridgeSafeNick LazzariniContemporary"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"—Jeffrey GainesSafe Eliminated: Kamilah Barrett Blake McGrath
Week 7 (September 28, 2005) Judges: Brian Friedman, Mia Michaels, Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Dan Karaty Duo dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)Melody LacayangaNick LazzariniPaso Doble"España cañí"—Boston Pops OrchestraMary MurphyAshlé DawsonJamile McGeeSalsa"Oh Mayi"—La Sonora PoncenaAlex Da SilvaNick LazzariniJamile McGeeHip-Hop"(Holla Back) Young'n"—FabolousDan KaratyAshlé DawsonMelody LacayangaContemporary"Message in a Bottle"—The PoliceMia MichaelsMelody LacayangaJamile McGeeJazz"Cold Hearted"—Paula AbdulBrian FriedmanAshlé DawsonNick LazzariniHip-Hop"Feel the Girl"—Ms. JadeShane Sparks Top 4 contestant's solos: ContestantStyleMusicMelody LacayangaContemporary"Listen to Your Heart"—RoxetteAshlé DawsonJazz"Endangered Species"—Dianne ReevesJamile McGeePopping"Early in the Morning"—The Gap BandNick LazzariniContemporary Jazz"Pardon Me"—Incubus Freestyle round: Top 4: "Music"—John Miles
Week 8 (Finale) (October 5, 2005) Judges: Brian Friedman, Mia Michaels, Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Dan Karaty Group dance: Top 16: "Pump It"—The Black Eyed Peas (Hip-Hop; Choreographer: Shane Sparks) Guest dancers: