For fans of Fox’s hit reality show So You Think You Can Dance?, yesterday marked a day filled with sadness and a bucket-load of questions revolving acclaimed choreographer Mia Michaels, who has exited the program for unknown reasons.

On Mia Michaels’ mostly dormant Twitter account, the Emmy-award winning contemporary dance choreographer announced that SYTYCD has brought her five glorious years on the show. Followers of Michaels exploded with questions. Is the popular dance master leaving the show?

From her official Twitter feed:

I AM OFFICIALLY AN ADORING FAN OF SYTYCD….THANK U FOR 5 WONDERFUL YRS

TO CREATE MOMENTS AND MOVEMENT FOR THE WORLD TO SHARE WITH ME WAS A GIFT…..

THANKS SYTYCD AND LOOK FORWARD TO WHATS AHEAD FOR ME…LOOKOUT WORLD!!!!!

Michaels went to post on her Facebook page and provided a few more details:

“It’s been an amazing five years on ‘SYTYCD.’ I thank them for all the great memories and movement I have been able to create for the world. Today was my official resignation of the U.S. show and look forward to what’s ahead for me.”

The Florida-born choreographer worked on Cirque du Soleil’s 2005 Delirium tour and was Emmy-nominated for her work on Celine Dion’s Las Vegas show. Michaels won an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography for Calling You, a routine from season 2 of SYTYCD and was nominated for her routine, Mercy, at the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. During her career, Michaels has worked with Madonna, Ricky Martin, Prince, Anna Vissi, and Gloria Estefan.

This isn’t the first exit from a popular member of a high-viewed Fox reality show. During the summer American Idol judge Paula Abdul left TV’s No.1 show when it was clear her contract was not going to be renewed at the rate of other fellow judges. Abdul also used her Twitter account to broadcast the news, beating the media to the punch and taking her decision to fans directly. Mia Michaels appears to be have been inspired by this approach and has taken the same approach though her departure leaves more questions than answers. Why has she left the program which has brought millions of new fans to the art form and a lot of attention to her beautiful routines?