Emmy-winning choreographer Mia Michaels exits 'So You Think You Can Dance'
Mainstay Mia Michaels has exited "So You Think You Can Dance" just days before the live eliminations for Season 6 begin on Fox. Michaels has been choreographing dance numbers for the contestants since the reality competition series debuted four years ago. She won an Emmy in 2007 for her second season contemporary routine set to the Celine Dion song "Calling You."
Michaels had first contended for the choreography Emmy Award in 2003 for her work on the Dion special "Opening Night: Live in Las Vegas." She lost that race to the "Stars on Ice" team. This year she was an Emmy nominee for another "So You Think You Can Dance" contemporary routine. This one was set to "Mercy" by Duffy and performed by Stephen Boss and top female dancer Katee Shean.
Michaels lost to fellow "SYTYCD" choreographer Tyce Diorio -- who devised the contemporary dance set to "Silence" performed by William Wingfield and Jessica King -- and Tony champ Rob Ashford ("Thoroughly Modern Millie"), who won his first Emmy for choreographing the Oscars.
Also in the running this year from "SYTYCD" were Dmitry Chaplin for his staging of a tango for Season 4 champ Joshua Allen and Chelsie Hightower to "A Los Amigos," and husband and wife choreographers Napoleon D'umo and Tabitha D'umo, who contended for their hip-hop moves for Hightower and Mark Kanemura performing to "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis.
In a statement, "SYTYCD" producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe said, "We are thrilled to have given a talent such as Mia Michaels a platform to create Emmy Award-winning choreography. During the auditions this season she has helped choose the best, most diverse top 20 we have ever had. She knows that she is always welcome to return later this season or next. She’s chosen to move on to new challenges, and we will continue to support her and wish her all the best."
Photo credit: ATAS
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that's terrible. she was my absolute favorite =[ sigh...
Posted by: Dance lover... | November 24, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Bye Bye Mia..........her harshness and meanness by far clouded her choreography talent.........
Posted by: Marilyn Syversen | October 26, 2009 at 04:27 AM
so sad...she is extremely talented. I hope that she has another job and not some terrible cancer. She may be critical but she knows her stuff and is one of the best choreographers next to Tyce and Wade.
Posted by: emme | October 23, 2009 at 06:50 AM
Mia is a brilliant choreographer. I'm going to miss watching all of her routines. Watching her work made me love dance.
I think she has a beautiful spirit as well. Good luck and much love to her.
Posted by: Kathleen | October 22, 2009 at 11:57 PM
thank god she is gone. i agree with phil, another wannabe. adam is off to choreograph the oscars, tyce is just bitter, as is debbie allen, talent or not, go away. lil c is boring and talks wayyy too much, mary is promoting her book about abuse. unbelievable that they all USED this show as a stepping stone.
Posted by: bobby mercy | October 22, 2009 at 02:26 PM
Mia Michaels is one of the better choreographers on SYTYCD, although I love Mandy Moore's work as much. Not a fan of Mia's extreme emotions as she is judging young adults who could use less harshness and more constructive criticism. Looking forward to some new choreographers and would love to see
Debbie Allen's work.
Posted by: Susan | October 20, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Phil, I'd like to know who you are to be so critical of Mia Michaels? If anything, you probably just dream of having a talent like hers! SYTYCD will not be the same without her, but I'm looking forward to seeing how this next season goes!
Posted by: Sarah | October 19, 2009 at 03:10 PM
She is just another self absorbed, insecure wanna be who most likely has gotten in some cat fight with another judge or show executive. Notice she said the "US show" so I am sure she will turn up on some other copy show where she can get more air time.
Posted by: Phil | October 18, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I don't think it was just a random decision to leave. From what I've gathered there was a lot of thought that went into this.
It's a shame. She's a serious artist, and I've loved watching her choreography on the show. We won't get much of a chance to see her work now that she's leaving.
Posted by: Emmie | October 18, 2009 at 02:38 AM
im going to miss her she is so great im from canada and she is some time the judge and choreographer and she is so great my heart goes out to her and good luck
Posted by: kim | October 17, 2009 at 05:28 PM
I don't understand why she had to leave the show. Even if she sat in as a judge for one week and choreographed just one or two numbers this season, it's not like it's a full time job. This is a huge loss for the show because she created the best numbers BY FAR. Huge, huge bummer.
Posted by: heather | October 17, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Mia Michaels opened up a whole new world of dance to the contestants as well as to the audience. They say change is inevitable and the transformations I've seen on stage have been inspiring. I WILL MISS HER energy, her contribution and her art on the show. Best in everything, Mia!
Posted by: Susan D | October 17, 2009 at 08:21 AM
WHAT! i can't believe it! Mia was my all time fav chorographer! NO NO NO NO NO!!!
Posted by: madie | October 16, 2009 at 03:37 PM
I f she's leaving for personal reasons, I hope she does well.
But finally other choreographers may be given an opportunity. Bring back Brian Freidman and Wade Robson especially. I thought Wade deserved the Emmy more than Mia.
Posted by: DarylZer0 | October 16, 2009 at 10:12 AM