Who is the season-8 victor on So You Think You Can Dance?
And America's favorite dancer — winning $250,000, a sponsorship deal and bragging rights — is. . .
Melanie Moore!
On Thursday night, the Marietta, Ga. native, 19, won 47 percent of 11.5 million votes cast for the FOX hit. Moore beat out fellow powerhouse female Sasha Mallory (who garnered 32 percent) with the two remaining men Marko Germar and Tadd Gadduang in third and fourth.
An early favorite on the show, Moore pulled off one flawless routine after another throughout the season — morphing and disappeaering convincingly with each style, and staying humble and grateful despite the raves from judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy…and Katie Holmes, who was a guest judge on Wednesday's final competition night.
"You're so energetic and I believe the story that you're telling," Holmes, 32, gushed after Moore and All-Star partner Robert Roldan performed.
Moore's reaction after winning, as confetti streamed from above? A teary "thank you."
After her big win, Moore spoke to Us Weekly about her triumphant night.
"I was ready to take second very graciously!" she told Us. "In my head I really thought Sasha was going to win, just because she has improved so much over the competition and she's an inspiration to me…When [Cat Deeley] called my name I lost it, I just started crying!"
What's Moore going to do with her prize money? "Hopefully go back to school. That's what I really want to do… There's really a lot to learn. And I'm not a choreographer and I want to learn more and I want to learn how to do that. I admire and respect them so much."
Before she starts sending out those dance school applications, however, the champ is ready for some R&R. "I'm looking forward to spending time with my boyfriend! I'm really excited to just hang out."
Tell Us: Did the right dancer win?
