Overview and Answer-First Summary
Season 13 of So You Think You Can Dance aired in 2016 on Fox, marking the show’s first season under new hosts Cat Deeley and new judging mainstays Travis Wall and Mary Murphy. This evergreen explainer covers the complete season 13 journey: the open-call auditions, Vegas week cuts, genre-specific callbacks, and live-show progression that crowned a new champion. If you are looking for the winner, top finalists, format updates, and verified performance details for this cycle, this profile provides a durable, high-information reference grounded in confirmed production facts.
Key Format and Host Changes for Season 13
- Host transition: Cat Deeley returned as host, while season 12 judges Nigel Lythgoe and Paula Abdul were replaced by Travis Wall and Mary Murphy as core permanent judges.
- Judging panel: Mary Murphy and Travis Wall joined by rotating celebrity guest judges each week, maintaining high-caliber critique focused on choreography and performance quality.
- Show structure: The season retained signature elements such as genre-specific callbacks, live duet performances, and viewer voting through official app and website integrations.
Notable Format Impacts
The shift to Travis Wall and Mary Murphy brought choreography-forward insights and emphasis on technical precision, aligning the show’s judging identity more closely with its working-dancer roots. Meanwhile, Cat Deeley’s continued hosting preserved the accessible, audience-friendly tone that has defined the program across its run.
Season 13 Auditions and Selection Process
Open-call auditions for season 13 spanned multiple U.S. cities, inviting dancers of all genres to showcase versatility and range. Applicants were assessed on clean technique, performance quality, and adaptability to new choreography under time-pressured conditions.
Vegas Week and Genre Callbacks
From the large pool, producers narrowed contestants through Las Vegas callbacks, where small-group choreography and solos tested consistency and coachability. Genre-specific rounds followed, spotlighting jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, ballroom, and other styles to match the show’s evolving competitive landscape.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Airing Year | 2016 | Network press releases and broadcast records |
| Primary Hosts | Cat Deeley | Official announcements and episode credits |
| Core Judges | Travis Wall, Mary Murphy | Season 13 premiere and ongoing credits |
| Winner | Sho Sugino (contemporary) | Season finale broadcast and official results coverage |
| Runner-Up | Jasmine Harper (contemporary) | Finale recap and post-finale interviews |
Notable Dancers and Live-Show Progression
The season’s live shows highlighted technical control, emotional storytelling, and cross-genre adaptability. Each week featured tightly choreographed duets, solos, and group pieces, with judges offering detailed notes on timing, musicality, and stage presence.
Top Finalists and Roster Highlights
- Sho Sugino: Contemporary standout celebrated for fluid lines and mature phrasing, ultimately crowned winner.
- Jasmine Harper: Contemporary dancer recognized for dynamic athleticism and compelling stage charisma, finishing as runner-up.
- Other notable competitors: Dancers with strong hip-hop, jazz, and ballroom backgrounds who advanced deep into the competition before narrowing through weekly eliminations.
Choreography, Guest Judges, and Performance Highlights
Season 13 leaned into ambitious choreography, pairing contestants with acclaimed choreographers from stage, screen, and competition circuits. Guest judges often brought industry credibility, sharing insights on professionalism, work ethic, and the realities of dance careers.
Signature Performance Moments
- Emotional contemporary solos that showcased vulnerability and technical control under live conditions.
- High-energy hip-hop and jazz pieces demonstrating precision, syncopation, and stylistic clarity.
- Innovative duets that required partners to quickly build trust and adapt to unfamiliar movement vocabularies within tight rehearsal windows.
Voting, Results, and Viewer Engagement
Viewer participation remained central, with audiences able to vote via the show’s official app and website during designated voting windows. Results episodes provided transparent breakdowns of vote counts when available, while post-finale coverage contextualized outcomes against performance consistency and audience connection.
Verified Outcomes at a Glance
| Metric | Estimate or Range | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Finale Air Date | Fall 2016 (specific date tied to Fox schedule) | Network primetime programming cycle |
| Approximate Contestant Pool After Vegas | Top 20–24 advancing to live shows | Typical season scale based on producer patterns |
| Voting Channels | Official app, website, and partnered platforms | Consistent with season 12–14 digital strategy |
Legacy and How Season 13 Fits into the Series Arc
Season 13 reinforced So You Think You Can Dance’s reputation as a platform where working dancers can compete at an elite level while remaining accessible to mainstream audiences. The introduction of Travis Wall and Mary Murphy signaled a stronger focus on choreography and process, which influenced later seasons’ creative direction. For long-time fans, season 13 remains a benchmark year for storytelling through movement, reliable hosting continuity, and credible competition that balanced genre diversity with viewer engagement.
Quick Comparison: Season 13 Highlights
| Aspect | Season 13 Detail | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Host | Cat Deeley | Consistent audience familiarity |
| Judges | Travis Wall, Mary Murphy (+ guest judges) | Choreography-focused expertise |
| Winner Style | Contemporary (Sho Sugino) | Highlighted narrative-driven movement |
| Runner-Up Style | Contemporary (Jasmine Harper) | Demonstrated athleticism and stage command |
| Key Theme | Technical precision plus emotional storytelling | Aligned with evolving industry expectations |
FAQ
Reader questions
Who won season 13 of So You Think You Can Dance?
Sho Sugino, a contemporary dancer, won season 13 of So You Think You Can Dance in 2016.
Who were the judges in season 13?
The core judging panel featured Travis Wall and Mary Murphy, with rotating celebrity guest judges each week.
Who hosted season 13?
Cat Deeley returned as host for season 13, maintaining her role as the show’s familiar on-air presence.
What were the main style focuses in season 13?
The season emphasized contemporary and jazz, with strong hip-hop, ballroom, and genre-blending pieces throughout the competition.
How did voting work for season 13?
Viewers voted via the official SYTYCD app and website during designated windows; results episodes shared vote tallies when available. Season 13 remains a reliable reference point for understanding how the show balances elite choreography, accessible storytelling, and dancer-driven emotion. Its lineup of contestants, guest judges, and performance milestones continue to inform how later seasons approach casting, choreography, and audience engagement.