Cristina Santana became the second finalist eliminated from So Yo Think You Can Dance's seventh season during last night's live broadcast of the Fox reality competition series.

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The 24-year-old salsa dancer from San Diego, CA was ousted from the competition by So You Think You Can Dance's judging panel after finding herself among the bottom three finalists based on home viewer votes cast immediately following Wednesday night's live performance episode broadcast.

"I want to thank everybody for this great opportunity. I really enjoyed it," said Santana after her elimination was revealed. "I will never forget this experience. I love you guys. Thank you."

Santana and all-star partner Pasha Kovalev performed a Paso Doble choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux and France Mousseau during Wednesday night's broadcast, and all of the judges complimented the couple for their routine.

"I think we have to remember what elements are required here. It needs passion. It needs power. It needs fire. Then on top of all of that, it needs control. So we have to say did Cristina bring that tonight? Yes she did! There's no question about that," had commented Nigel Lythgoe.

"Last week you were down, you were in the bottom three. Thank goodness you didn't go home otherwise we would have missed that wonderful routine."

Fellow judge Mia Michaels agreed that Santana's performance "was everything."

"It had every element to it," added Michaels. "Like Nigel said, it was power, it was passion, it was the whole package, and it was the perfect partnership. Fabulous."

Adam Shankman described the routine as "mucho caliente."

"Your confidence and your commitment to your character, it was extraordinary," he said. "You set that stage on fire."

In addition to Santana, Robert Roldan, a 19-year-old contemporary dancer from Thousand Oaks, CA who currently resides in North Hollywood, CA, and Melinda Sullivan, a 22-year-old tap dancer from Thousand Oaks, CA who currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, were also revealed to be in the bottom three during last night's broadcast.

It was the second consecutive week that Santana and Sullivan found themselves among the bottom three.

"I'm sorry to say it is not unanimous this evening," said Lythgoe before addressing Roldan.

"Robert as you know, last week we lost a girl. We started this season with six guys and five girls -- so it would have been very easy for us to say, 'You're going home tonight Robert.' We're not going to say that. We're going to give you another week."

Lythgoe then turned his attention to Sullivan.

"Melinda I don't know what it is. I keep saying this to you, but the public are not connecting with you," he said. "I have to say that it was my opinion to let you go this week -- but my two colleagues insisted that you stay with us this week. So congratulations."

After Sullivan left the stage, Lythgoe addressed Santana.

"You were absolutely brilliant last night. You have grown beyond anywhere we thought, and each week you grow. You're like an empty vessel -- you want to learn. You're taking it all in," Lythgoe told her.

"We've spoken to the choreographers and your work ethic is very good. Sometimes you're a little slow I hear -- to moving to when you're told. But these are all things you're going to learn. We wish you so much love and we give you so much respect for what you do."

So You Think You Can Dance's next seventh-season episode will air on Wednesday, June 30 at 8PM ET/PT, with the Top 9 finalists performing for home viewers votes.

Then on Thursday at 9PM ET/PT, the bottom three dancers based on home viewer votes will be revealed before the judges eliminate one more from the competition.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio

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