Jeanine Marie Mason (born January 14, 1991)[2] is an American actress and dancer. Her acting career began after winning the fifth season of the Fox television show So You Think You Can Dance in 2009.[3][4] She is best known for her role as Liz Ortecho in the CW's drama series Roswell, New Mexico.[5][6]

Jeanine Mason
Mason in 2019
Born
Jeanine Marie Mason

(1991-01-14) January 14, 1991 (age 33)
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles (BA)
Occupation(s)Actress, dancer
Years active1994–present
Known forWinner of So You Think You Can Dance; Roswell, New Mexico
Height5 ft 4 in (163 cm)[1]
Spouse
Nicholas
(m. 2023)
Websitejeaninemason.com

Mason had a recurring role as Dr. Sam Bello on Grey's Anatomy. She has also appeared in Bunheads, Of Kings and Prophets, You’re the Worst, Awkward, Major Crimes, NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Big Time Rush.[7]

Mason became the first Cuban-American to win So You Think You Can Dance.[8][9] Her film credits include the thriller Default, opposite David Oyelowo and The Archer, opposite Bailey Noble.[10]

On stage, she was last seen in Center Theatre Group's 2017 revival of Zoot Suit directed by playwright Luis Valdez opposite Demián Bichir.[11]

Early life and education

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Mason was born in Miami, Florida and grew up in a dance-oriented family in Pinecrest.[12] Both of her parents are of Cuban descent.[8] Mason began her dance training at the age of three[13] in ballet and flamenco, and went on to study jazz, acrobatics, hip-hop, modern, and contemporary dance. Mason began her study of theatre at age 11 with community and middle school productions. Upon moving to Los Angeles, California, Mason continued to study theater while also keeping a focus on film and television at the Michael Woolson Studio.[14] Mason earned a Bachelor of Arts in World Arts and Cultures, graduating cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles in the spring of 2014.[15][16]

Career

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So You Think You Can Dance

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At the age of 18, Mason competed on the fifth season of the show So You Think You Can Dance, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the competition, over fellow contestants Brandon Bryant, Kayla Radomski and Evan Kasprzak. For the first five weeks of the competition (Top 20 to Top 12), Mason was partnered with Phillip Chbeeb. During the show's sixth week (Top 10), Mason danced a contemporary number choreographed by Travis Wall and was partnered with Jason Glover. Later, Mason was also partnered with Brandon Bryant, Ade Obayomi, Evan Kasprzak, and Kayla Radomski. Mason was consistently praised for her strong and versatile performances.[17]

During the fall of 2009, Mason toured the United States with the top twelve dancers of the So You Think You Can Dance competition.[18]

Performances

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click [show] to see performances
Week Partner Dance Song Result
1 Phillip Chbeeb Hip-Hop "Mad"—Ne-Yo Safe
2 Tango "Violento (Up Mix)"—Bailongo! Safe
3 Broadway "Moses Supposes"—from”Singin' in the Rain Safe
4 Hip-Hop "Love Lockdown"—Kanye West Bottom 3
Results show solo "Moonlight Sonata"—Smart Sleep With Classical
5 Russian folk dance "Kalinka"—Barynya Bottom 3
Jive "Stuff Like That There"—Bette Midler
Results show solo "Baby's Romance"—Chris Garneau
6 Jason Glover Contemporary "If It Kills Me (The Casa Nova Sessions)"—Jason Mraz Safe
Performance show solo "Violento (Up Mix)"—Bailongo!
7 Brandon Bryant Smooth Waltz "May It Be"— Hayley Westenra Safe
Pop Jazz "Battlefield"—Jordin Sparks
Performance show solo "Let the Drummer Kick"—Citizen Cope
8 Ade Obayomi Samba "LoveGame"—Lady Gaga Safe
Hip-Hop "Move (If You Wanna)"—Mims
Performance show solo "Feedback"—Janet Jackson
9 Evan Kasprzak Jazz "Heartbreaker"—MSTRKRFT featuring John Legend Winner
Kayla Radomski Contemporary "The Four Sections: IV (Full Orchestra)"—Steve Reich
Brandon Bryant Paso Doble ”Tetsujin"— from The Matrix Revolutions
Final solo "Por una Cabeza"—The Tango Project

Acting career

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Shortly after completing So You Think You Can Dance, Mason turned her attention to acting. Her on-screen career began when she starred in the Halloween episode of Nickelodeon's hit show, Big Time Rush. From there, she appeared in The Bling Ring, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Fresh Beat Band and Hollywood Heights before landing the recurring role of Cozzette on ABC Family's Bunheads and leading roles in Hot Mess and Delirium. She has also booked roles on Major Crimes and Secret Life of the American Teenager as well as several smaller, independent projects. Mason had a recurring role on ABC's hit medical drama Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Sam Bello.[19]

In February 2018, it was announced that she joined the pilot of Roswell, New Mexico as Liz Ortecho.[20][7] The CW ordered the show to series on May 11, 2018.[21]

Mason performed on November 29, 2009 at the Dizzy Feet Gala in Los Angeles, California at the Kodak Theatre. She and Jason Glover performed their popular contemporary piece, "If It Kills Me", choreographed by Travis Wall, and originally performed Top 10 week on So You Think You Can Dance.[22] Glover has described Mason as "Unique. You just don’t find dancers like her. She has beautiful lines, is funky and charismatic, and has so much life onstage. Not only does it show in her movement but also on her face. Jeanine is a brilliant performer and one of my favorite people to watch—not just in our group, but out of any dancer I've seen, from Gregory Hines to Gene Kelly."[23]

On November 9, 2010, Mason performed a contemporary-ballroom dance with Mark Ballas to John Legend's "Ordinary People" on the television show, Dancing With the Stars.[24]

Her sister, Alexis, also auditioned for the eighth season of So You Think You Can Dance, and made it to the final solo performances before Top 20 in Vegas.[25]

Personal life

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In March 2023, Mason announced her engagement.[5] In late 2023, Mason married a man named Nicholas, who is a major in the U.S. Army Reserves.[6][26]

Filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Default Marcela
2016 El Empantanado (The Muddy) Heili
2017 The Archer Rebecca Rosinsky
2020 Christmas on the Square Felicity Sorenson
2024 Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate Christina Christo[27] Voice
TBA Viral Jules Post-production
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Big Time Rush Muffy Episode: "Big Time Halloween"
2011 The Fresh Beat Band Amy Episode: "Step It Up"
2011 The Bling Ring Bosso Television film
2011 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Gween Seligson Episode: "Brain Doe"
2012 Hollywood Heights Natalie 2 episodes
2013 Bunheads Cozzette 7 episodes
2013 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Bebe Episode: "Money for Nothin'"
2013 Major Crimes Heather Episode: "Jailbait"
2014 Delirium Hana Tate Unsold Fox pilot
2014 Awkward Shayne Episode: "Prison Breaks"
2014 You're the Worst Dana Episode: "Equally Dead Inside"
2014 NCIS: Los Angeles Bonnie Flores Episode: "The Grey Man"
2016 Of Kings and Prophets Merav Main role; 9 episodes
2017 Searchers Juniper Television film
2017 Ride Overshare Natalie Episode: "Natalie"
2017 Daytime Divas Nick 2 episodes
2017 Criminal Minds Helen Pierce Episode: "To a Better Place"
2017–18 Grey's Anatomy Dr. Sam Bello Recurring role; 12 episodes
2018 Grey's Anatomy: B-Team ABC webseries; 3 episodes
2019–2022 Roswell, New Mexico Liz Ortecho Lead role
2020–2022 Trolls: TrollsTopia Minuet Sonata Main voice cast; 11 episodes
2021 Grace and Frankie Dr. Green Episode: "The Circumcision"
2023 Upload Karina Silva Recurring role; 5 episodes
2024 Megamind Rules! Christina Christo Voice role; 6 episodes
2024 WondLa Eva Lead voice role
2024 Cross Rebecca Main cast (season 2)
2024 The Perfect Couple Hyacinth Recurring role; 2 episodes

References

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  1. ^ "Jeanine Mason: Aftra" (PDF). Content.blocagency.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  2. ^ Mason, Jeanine (January 18, 2018). "Thank you for all the birthday wishes. Man do I adore you all! Xo". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
  3. ^ Smith, Olivia. "Jeanine Mason is 'So You Think You Can Dance' winner". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  4. ^ Fuhrer, Margaret (April 7, 2021). "What It Means to Become 'America's Favorite Dancers'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Livesay, Brandon (March 14, 2023). "'Roswell, New Mexico' Star Jeanine Mason Is Engaged: 'Always Knew I'd Find You in New York, Fiancé'". People. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Strohm, Emily (January 11, 2024). "Roswell, New Mexico Star Jeanine Mason Got Married on Her N.Y.C. Stoop — See the Photos!". People. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (February 16, 2018). "'Roswell': Jeanine Mason Cast As the Lead Of the CW Reboot Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Hernandez, Lee (August 12, 2009). ""SYTYCD" Winner Jeanine Mason: "I Was a Horrific Dancer!"". Latina. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  9. ^ Team Cherry (August 9, 2021). ""Roswell: New Mexico": Getting Down to Earth with Jeanine Mason". Cherry Picks. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  10. ^ "Jeanine Mason". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  11. ^ "'Zoot Suit,' a Pioneering Chicano Play, Comes Full Circle". El Teatro Campesino. January 26, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  12. ^ Hamacher, Brian (August 7, 2009). "America Thinks Jeanine Mason Can Dance". NBC Miami. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  13. ^ Dreben, Jed; Young, Mathieu (August 17, 2009). "Jeanine Mason Knows She Can Dance". People. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
  14. ^ "Our Clients | The Michael Woolson Studio". Michael Woolson. January 18, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  15. ^ Rivers, Ashley (September 10, 2012). "Jeanine Mason: Why I Chose College". Dance Spirit. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  16. ^ Griffiths, John (March 22, 2019). "Jeanine Mason's Passion Project". CBS. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  17. ^ Vary, Adam B. (August 8, 2009). "So You Think You Can Dance season finale recap: Winner Takes All". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  18. ^ "So You Think You Can Dance Tour 2009". July 12, 2009. Archived from the original on July 12, 2009. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  19. ^ Abrams, Natalie (October 9, 2017). "Grey's Anatomy: Meet the new interns". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
  20. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 30, 2018). "'Roswell' Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  21. ^ Petski, Denise (May 11, 2018). "The CW Picks Up 'Charmed' & 'Roswell' Reboots". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  22. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 6, 2009). "The Dizzy Feet Gala: Dance Gives Back - Reality Rocks". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 6, 2009. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  23. ^ Donatelli, Jen Jones (October 9, 2017). "America's Sweetheart". Dance Spirit. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  24. ^ "John Legend - "Ordinary People"". Daily Motion. December 22, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  25. ^ "'So You Think You Can Dance' recap: Las Vegas callbacks". Digital Spy. June 9, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  26. ^ Copeland, Blythe (January 11, 2024). "Actress Jeanine Mason Is Married! See All of the Photos from Her Stoop Wedding in New York City". Brides. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  27. ^ Mantilla, Ryan Louis (February 1, 2024). "Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate Trailer Sets Peacock Release Date". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
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Preceded by Winner of So You Think You Can Dance
Summer 2009
Succeeded by