So You Think You Can Dance crowned Bailey Munoz the winner of Season 16 during Monday night's two-hour finale on Fox.

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After the challenging The Academy Round and the Top 10 dancers performing week to week with So You Think You Can Dance All-Stars, America voted Bailey, a 19-year-old break dancer from Las Vegas, NV, to be this season's winner over the runner-up, Mariah Russell, a 19-year-old from Nashville, TN.

Bailey received the most home viewer votes following the final performance show, and so he's walking away from the competition with a cash prize of $250,000, the cover of Dance Spirit magazine, and the title of "America's Favorite Dancer."

"I want to thank God for guiding me through this journey. Thank you to all my family, friends and all of Team Bailey for their love and support. You are all the reason I made it through this journey on So You Think You Can Dance and I love you guys so much," Bailey said in a statement.

"Winning and being named 'America's Favorite Dancer' is an incredible feeling that words can't describe. It's a humbling feeling to know that America felt my heart and soul each time I performed on that stage."

"I hope I inspired someone the way I was inspired through dance -- to never give up and always chase your dreams. You're never too little to dream big!"

Bailey, standing only 5 feet tall, ironically had a showmance with Mariah throughout the season, and they ended up being the Final 2 competitors.

So You Think You Can Dance judge Nigel Lythgoe had also dubbed them "the couple to beat" earlier in the season.

In addition to Nigel, Mary Murphy, Laurieann Gibson and Dominic "D-Trix" Sandoval also sat on the judging panel this season.

"There's never been a beatboy winner on So You Think You Can Dance. That's crazy right?!" Bailey said in a package that aired before his victory was announced.

"It doesn't matter how tall you are, as long as you have heart. And should I say it? Okay, I guess I've got a little crush on Mariah! Everything happens for a reason, and I am so thankful that Mariah came into my life."

Mariah told the cameras in the finale broadcast that Bailey is "priceless" and she wouldn't want to go through this journey with anyone else.

The two-hour season finale included a performance by fan-favorite contestant Phoebe Kochis, as well as a group performance featuring the returning Top 10 finalists, choreographed by Emmy Award winner Mandy Moore.

One number also featured the Top 10 finalists with All-Stars Lauren Froderman and Cyrus "Glitch" Spencer.

Bailey and Mariah will now will join the rest of the Top 10 finalists for the So You Think You Can Dance LIVE! 2019 tour, which kicks off October 12 in Atlantic City, NJ. The tour will stop in 40 cities.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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