Jeanine Marie Mason (born January 14, 1991) is an American actress and dancer. Her acting career began after winning the fifth season of the Fox television show So You Think You Can Dance in 2009. She is best known for her role as Liz Ortecho in the CW's drama series Roswell, New Mexico.

Mason had a recurring role as Dr. Sam Bello on Grey's Anatomy. She has also appeared in Bunheads, Of Kings and Prophets, You’re the Worst, Awkward, Major Crimes, NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Cross, Big Time Rush , and Chicago Fire.

Mason became the first Cuban-American to win So You Think You Can Dance. Her film credits include the thriller Default, opposite David Oyelowo and The Archer, opposite Bailey Noble.

On stage, she was last seen in Center Theatre Group's 2017 revival of Zoot Suit directed by playwright Luis Valdez opposite Demián Bichir.

Early life and education Mason was born in Miami, Florida and grew up in a dance-oriented family in Pinecrest. Both of her parents are of Cuban descent. Mason began her dance training at the age of three in ballet and flamenco, and went on to study jazz, acrobatics, hip-hop, modern, and contemporary dance. Mason began her study of theatre at age 11 with community and middle school productions. Upon moving to Los Angeles, California, Mason continued to study theater while also keeping a focus on film and television at the Michael Woolson Studio. Mason earned a Bachelor of Arts in World Arts and Cultures, graduating cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles in the spring of 2014.

Career So You Think You Can Dance At the age of 18, Mason competed on the fifth season of the show So You Think You Can Dance, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the competition, over fellow contestants Brandon Bryant, Kayla Radomski and Evan Kasprzak. For the first five weeks of the competition (Top 20 to Top 12), Mason was partnered with Phillip Chbeeb. During the show's sixth week (Top 10), Mason danced a contemporary number choreographed by Travis Wall and was partnered with Jason Glover. Later, Mason was also partnered with Brandon Bryant, Ade Obayomi, Evan Kasprzak, and Kayla Radomski. Mason was consistently praised for her strong and versatile performances.

During the fall of 2009, Mason toured the United States with the top twelve dancers of the So You Think You Can Dance competition.

Performances

Week Partner Dance Song Result1Phillip ChbeebHip-Hop"Mad"—Ne-YoSafe2Tango"Violento (Up Mix)"—Bailongo!Safe3Broadway"Moses Supposes"—from”Singin' in the Rain”Safe4Hip-Hop"Love Lockdown"—Kanye WestBottom 3Results show solo"Moonlight Sonata"—Smart Sleep With Classical5Russian folk dance"Kalinka"—BarynyaBottom 3Jive"Stuff Like That There"—Bette MidlerResults show solo"Baby's Romance"—Chris Garneau6Jason GloverContemporary"If It Kills Me (The Casa Nova Sessions)"—Jason MrazSafePerformance show solo"Violento (Up Mix)"—Bailongo!7Brandon BryantSmooth Waltz "May It Be"— Hayley WestenraSafePop Jazz"Battlefield"—Jordin SparksPerformance show solo"Let the Drummer Kick"—Citizen Cope8Ade ObayomiSamba"LoveGame"—Lady GagaSafeHip-Hop"Move (If You Wanna)"—MimsPerformance show solo"Feedback"—Janet Jackson9Evan KasprzakJazz"Heartbreaker"—MSTRKRFT featuring John LegendWinnerKayla RadomskiContemporary"The Four Sections: IV (Full Orchestra)"—Steve ReichBrandon BryantPaso Doble”Tetsujin"— from The Matrix Revolutions†Final solo"Por una Cabeza"—The Tango Project

Acting career Shortly after completing So You Think You Can Dance, Mason turned her attention to acting. Her on-screen career began when she starred in the Halloween episode of Nickelodeon's hit show, Big Time Rush. From there, she appeared in The Bling Ring, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Fresh Beat Band and Hollywood Heights before landing the recurring role of Cozzette on ABC Family's Bunheads and leading roles in Hot Mess and Delirium. She has also booked roles on Major Crimes and Secret Life of the American Teenager as well as several smaller, independent projects. Mason had a recurring role on ABC's hit medical drama Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Sam Bello.

In February 2018, it was announced that she joined the pilot of Roswell, New Mexico as Liz Ortecho. The CW ordered the show to series on May 11, 2018.

Mason performed on November 29, 2009 at the Dizzy Feet Gala in Los Angeles, California at the Kodak Theatre. She and Jason Glover performed their popular contemporary piece, "If It Kills Me", choreographed by Travis Wall, and originally performed Top 10 week on So You Think You Can Dance. Glover has described Mason as "Unique. You just don’t find dancers like her. She has beautiful lines, is funky and charismatic, and has so much life onstage. Not only does it show in her movement but also on her face. Jeanine is a brilliant performer and one of my favorite people to watch—not just in our group, but out of any dancer I've seen, from Gregory Hines to Gene Kelly."

On November 9, 2010, Mason performed a contemporary-ballroom dance with Mark Ballas to John Legend's "Ordinary People" on the television show, Dancing With the Stars.

Her sister, Alexis, also auditioned for the eighth season of So You Think You Can Dance, and made it to the final solo performances before Top 20 in Vegas.

Personal life In March 2023, Mason announced her engagement. In late 2023, Mason married Nicholas, a major in the U.S. Army Reserves. In October 2025, Mason announced that they had welcomed their first child, a son.

Filmography + Film Year Title Role Notes 2014 Default Marcela 2016 El Empantanado (The Muddy) Heili 2017 The Archer Rebecca Rosinsky 2020 Christmas on the Square Felicity Sorenson 2024 Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate Christina Christo Voice TBA Viral Jules Post-production

+ Television Year Title Role Notes 2010 Big Time Rush Muffy Episode: "Big Time Halloween" 2011 The Fresh Beat Band Amy Episode: "Step It Up" 2011The Bling Ring Bosso Television film 2011 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Gween Seligson Episode: "Brain Doe" 2012 Hollywood Heights Natalie 2 episodes 2013 Bunheads Cozzette 7 episodes 2013 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Bebe Episode: "Money for Nothin'" 2013 Major Crimes Heather Episode: "Jailbait" 2014 Delirium Hana Tate Unsold Fox pilot 2014 Awkward Shayne Episode: "Prison Breaks" 2014 You're the Worst Dana Episode: "Equally Dead Inside" 2014 NCIS: Los Angeles Bonnie Flores Episode: "The Grey Man" 2016 Of Kings and Prophets Merav Main role; 9 episodes 2017 Searchers Juniper Television film 2017 Ride Overshare Natalie Episode: "Natalie" 2017 Daytime Divas Nick 2 episodes 2017 Criminal Minds Helen Pierce Episode: "To a Better Place" 2017–18 Grey's Anatomy Dr. Sam Bello Recurring role; 12 episodes 2018 Grey's Anatomy: B-Team ABC webseries; 3 episodes 2019–2022 Roswell, New Mexico Liz Ortecho Lead role 2020–2022 Trolls: TrollsTopia Minuet Sonata Main voice cast; 11 episodes 2021 Grace and Frankie Dr. Green Episode: "The Circumcision" 2023 Upload Karina Silva Recurring role; 5 episodes 2024 Megamind Rules! Christina Christo Voice role; 6 episodes 2024 WondLa Eva Lead voice role 2024 The Perfect Couple Hyacinth Recurring role; 2 episodes 2026 Cross Rebecca Main cast (season 2)2026 Chicago Fire Lucy Guest Star (Season 14)

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