Jeanine Mason was crowned So You Think You Can Dance's fifth-season winner during last night's live finale broadcast of the Fox reality dance competition.

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Jeanine, an 18-year-old contemporary dancer from Miami, FL who currently resides in Pinecrest, FL, won So You Think You Can Dance's fifth-season title based on the record-setting 21.6 million votes home viewers cast after Wednesday night's final performance show.

"I never ever imagined this... I never thought that auditioning for the show would lead me to such amazing people," Jeanine said after So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley revealed her victory.  "I don't know what it was that led you to push me Mom, but thank you [for] whatever that was because I never would have been here and I love you so much."

As So You Think You Can Dance's fifth-season champion, Jeanine won a $250,000 cash prize, an appearance on the cover of Dance Spirit magazine, and the show's "America's Favorite Dancer" title.

Brandon Bryant, a 19-year-old contemporary dancer from Miami, FL who currently resides in Salt Lake City, UT, finished as the season's runner-up. 

Evan Kasprzak, a 21-year-old Broadway dancer from West Bloomfield, MI, followed in third place and Kayla Radomski, an 18-year-old jazz and contemporary dancer from Aurora, CO, finished in fourth place.

Each of the season's four remaining finalists had performed three couples routines -- one with each of their fellow remaining finalists -- and a solo performance during Wednesday night's Top 4 performance show.

While all the finalists had received positive feedback to their Wednesday night performances, Jeanine and Brandon had seemed to receive the strongest praise from regular So You Think You Can Dance judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy and guest judge Adam Shankman.

"Listen, I've got to be honest, I think you two are in the front for me this evening," Nigel told Jeanine and Brandon after they ended the performance show with their couples routine. "You are just about edging the other two out, just this much.  Good luck to you all."

"I never saw Jeanine coming.  I never saw you coming and you have dominated week after week...  I so underestimated you and I sort of will never forgive myself," Adam said after Jeanine and Evan had performed their couples routine.

However Mary had made it clear that she hadn't made the same mistake as Adam.

"Jeanine, from the first time I laid eyes on you, you have always been a stand-out, so never say never," Mary said after her solo. "I saw you coming girl. You are peaking right at the right time.  You have been growing every week and you have elevated every single dance partner you have danced with because they can count on you 100% every time."

Kayla was the first finalist to learn her fate during the heavily-padded two-hour live broadcast, and she took the ouster in stride.

"I'm going to miss everyone.  Everyone is so talented and we all have something special," she said after Cat revealed her fourth place finish an hour into the show.

"I think we're all winners up here," she added.  "The fact that we can get up here on this stage and give our hearts to America is amazing and we get to share our dream every day."

Evan's third place finish was announced 15 minutes later and he also took the news well..

"I just want to thank everyone.  Thank you to the fans, thank you to my family," he said after Cat announced his finish. "Your support means so much to me and this has been an absolutely amazing journey.  I never thought when I auditioned in Memphis with my brother that I'd be standing here."
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