This season, the competition is the toughest it has ever been as the judges - Nigel Lythgoe, Mia Michaels and Adam Shankman - will pick only 10 dancers (five guys and five girls) - from the thousands that auditioned - to compete for the title of America's Favorite Dancer. During the performance rounds, one finalist will go home weekly. Additionally, the competitors will be partnered each week with a different SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE All-Star dancer - former SYTYCD finalists skilled in various dance styles. The Season Seven All-Star Dance Partners who will perform within their specific genres are: Stephen "tWitch" Boss, Comfort Fedoke, Courtney Galiano, Anya Garnis, Lauren Gottlieb, Neil Haskell, Allison Holker, Mark Kanemura, Pasha Kovalev, Kathryn McCormick, Ade Obayomi and Dominic "D-trix" Sandoval.

Last season's winner, Russell Ferguson, danced off with a $250,000 cash prize, the title of America's Favorite Dancer and a cover feature in the March issue of Dance Spirit Magazine.

Choreographers Mia Michaels and Wade Robson were honored with Emmy Awards in Season Two, while Robson won an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography again the following year for his work on Season Three. Additionally, Shane Sparks and Mandy Moore earned nominations in the same category. In 2009, choreographers Tabitha Dumo, Napoleon Dumo, Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio and Dmitry Chaplin were honored with Emmy nominations for Outstanding Choreography, and Diorio won the award. Additionally, costume designer Soyon An won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Variety/Music Program or Special that year.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE was created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment Ltd. and dick clark productions, inc. The series is executive-produced by Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe and Barry Adelman.