"So You Think You Can Dance" Renewed for Season 18 With a New Judging Panel — Including Nigel Lythgoe (Exclusive)
by Matt Webb Mitovich
Dec. 5, 2023


Fox‘s "So You Think You Can Dance" has been renewed for an 18th season that will premiere Monday, March 4 at 9/8c and bring series co-creator Nigel Lythgoe back to the judging table.

Cat Deeley, who has hosted SYTYCD since Season 2, will return as host, and all episodes will tape not in Los Angeles but for the first time ever in Atlanta.



Lythgoe will be joined by "Dancing With the Stars" vet Maksim Chmerkovskiy and SYTYCD alum/Emmy-nominated DWTS choreographer Allison Holker.

SYTYCD All-Star Comfort Fedoke — now an associate choreographer on the new Wicked film and associate choreographer for London’s Cabaret — will serve as a guest judge during the auditions.

https://tvline.com/news/so-you-think-you-can-dance-renewed-season-18-atlanta-1235091948/

Nigel Lythgoe Steps Down from "So You Think You Can Dance" after Sexual Assault Accusations
by Peter White
January 5, 2024


Nigel Lythgoe is exiting "So You Think You Can Dance" after a number of sexual assault complaints.

Lythgoe, the co-creator, lead judge and exec producer, is the subject of two sexual misconduct lawsuits, including one filed by Paula Abdul who accused him of assaulting her twice over the past 20 years.

The move also comes a few days after it emerged that Lythgoe is the subject of an investigation by Sony Pictures Television’s 19 Entertainment, which co-produces SYTYCD with Dick Clark Productions.




“I have informed the producers of So You Think You Can Dance of my decision to step back from participating in this year’s series,” Lythgoe said.

“I did so with a heavy heart but entirely voluntarily because this great program has always been about dance and dancers, and that’s where its focus needs to remain. In the meantime, I am dedicating myself to clearing my name and restoring my reputation.”




19 Entertainment, Dick Clark Productions, and Fox confirmed the upcoming season will proceed, “although without Nigel Lythgoe to ensure the show remains committed to the contestants, who have worked incredibly hard for the opportunity to compete on our stage. No decision has been made as to a replacement judge for this season, which will premiere on Fox on Monday, March 4,” per those three companies.

https://deadline.com/2024/01/nigel-lythgoe-exits-so-you-think-you-can-dance-sexual-assault-1235696422/

JoJo Siwa Replaces Nigel Lythgoe on "So You Think You Can Dance" following Sexual Assault Accusations
by Peter White
January 26, 2024


JoJo Siwa is back on "So You Think You Can Dance". She will replace Nigel Lythgoe as a judge for Season 18.

Siwa previously judged Season 17 of the Fox show.

https://deadline.com/2024/01/jojo-siwa-returns-to-so-you-think-you-can-dance-replacing-nigel-lythgoe-1235806395/

‘tWitch's’ Widow Allison Holker Boss Returns to "So You Think You Can Dance" as New Judge
by Zoe G Phillips
Feb. 8, 2024


Allison Holker Boss is back on the "So You Think You Can Dance" set. The dancer and widow of Stephen “tWitch” Boss will serve as a judge on the show’s forthcoming season 18.

Allison announced her arrival to the show in an Instagram Story on Thursday, marking her first return to the series since the death of her husband in 2022.

She will be joined by Maksim Chmerkovskiy and JoJo Siwa.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/allison-holker-boss-returns-so-you-think-you-can-dance-1235820547/