Mia Michaels Talks 'So You Think You Can Dance' Milestone

Mia Michaels is a fascinating woman.

A choreographer on the hit FOX show, "So You Think You Can Dance," Michaels has grabbed headlines as of late for the work she did teaching Tom Cruise how to move in the big-screen musical, "Rock of Ages."

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After finishing up the movie, Michaels returned to "So You Think You Can Dance" to once again guide young dancers and give them the steps and confidence they need to win.

Michaels, 42, chatted up reporters in a teleconference to promote the show's 200th episode, which is airing Wednesday June 27, the same night the Top 20 finalists will be revealed.

MSN TV: What advice would you give to the top 20 finalists?

Mia Michaels: Be inspired. Have a healthy competition with the people around you but stay focused and be the best you can be. Become your own competition. That's always what I've done in every phase of my career.

Are there any dances you want to learn?

I would love to learn Latin ballroom. I want my legs to look like that. My parents ballroom danced and dance was always a part of everything. I was running around a studio at 3 years old. Plus I'm from Miami.

Is there anything you think the finalists should work on?

Have a work ethic. We had to have them really open up and we worked to pull more out of them as performers. Initially, they held back a little bit during rehearsals but after last night's show, they got it. They know now that it's important to go hard. It's a blood, sweat and tears sort of thing. Having a work ethic is everything. That's the key for sure.

What is your dream collaboration?

I would love to work with Tim Burton. I want to do film and stage musicals and I love his work. And Baz Luhrmann. And Sting.

Are there any dances you want to bring back from the past?

The Roger Rabbit. I Roger Rabbit-ed for the gods. (Laughs) They need to bring that back in a really unique and classic way.

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"So You Think You Can Dance" airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.