Celeb Secrets Goes Backstage for the So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation Season Finale

Celeb Secrets headed back to the dance studio for the final time this season for So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation this Monday (September 14).

This week, one of the four final contestants – Kida Burns, J.T. Church, Emma Hellenkamp, and Tate McRae — was crowned “America’s Favorite Dancer.” After the nationwide vote, it was revealed that Kida Burns was the winner of So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation season thirteen!

The two-hour finale featured many routines with the top four and their all-stars, in addition to a contemporary mini-group and a group performance from the top ten this season.

Celeb Secrets had the opportunity to watch the show live at the studio and chat with J.T., Emma, Tate, judge Nigel Lythgoe and Kida Burns after his big win! Watch the video of the Final Four contestants and read Nigel’s Q&A below.

Celeb Secrets: What was your favorite moment from this season of So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation?

Nigel Lythgoe: “I think my favorite moment of the season was when Tahani threw up over Paula Abdul. It was something I wanted to do for a number of years now (laughs).”

Celeb Secrets: How was it different this year, since you were working with kids rather than young adults?

Nigel Lythgoe: “When FOX asked us to do the show with kids, I was a little weary. I thought “oh, how are we going to tell them they suck;” but we didn’t have to tell them they sucked because they were just so good. I was thrilled when I saw the standard of dance this season because it was equally as good as anything else we’ve had on this show. I don’t look at them as kids; I look on them as dancers and I think America did the same.”

Celeb Secrets: What was your initial reaction when you found out that Kida was crowned “America’s Favorite Dancer?”

Nigel Lythgoe: “I was delighted and thrilled that Kida won the competition this season. I think a lot of people thought that J.T. or Tate would win, and if Tate had won, I think people would have said that she had a lot of training before she even came on the program. If J.T. had won, people would have said he only won because he was super cute. I think what we’ve seen with Kida winning is absolutely inspirational for anybody that hasn’t had the benefit of full-time training. This is a kid that trained himself, did a lot of work, had a couple of classes, but just grew over the season and actually showed how brilliant he was with choreography as well. I think it was totally inspirational for dancers out there that might feel a little frightened that they’re not good enough. You are good enough, especially if you’re a dancer.”