Maddie Ziegler Is Leaving Dance Moms to Judge So You Think You Can Dance

Maddie Ziegler is moving on.

The Dance Moms star recently confirmed she is leaving the show – but for fans of the 13-year-old dancer, we've got good news: She'll be back on TV soon enough as a judge on the upcoming kids' edition of So You Think You Can Dance!

"I am leaving, but it'll be a good thing because we're moving on to cool things," Ziegler told reporters Saturday at the Nickelodeon 2016 Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles. " [ So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation] is going to be so amazing. I'm looking forward to it because I feel like kids are so good these days."

As for whether she's nervous about being on the other side of the stage, Ziegler admitted, "It'll be amazing but also kind of nerve-racking because I'm the only kid and I have to be on my best game at all time."



That being said, she knows a thing or two about handing out scores.

"I definitely have some knowledge now because I've been judged a lot," she said. "I think it will be really cool to be with [judges] Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo, and Nigel [Lythgoe]."

Plus, since she's younger, she thinks she'll be able to relate with the competitors.

"I feel like since I'm in their shoes I know how to cheer them on," she said. "I feel like since I'm their age I can't really tell them what to do, [so] I think I'm gonna be the supportive judge and always [encourage] the kids."

Ziegler previously starred on the hit Lifetime reality show for six seasons, working with dance instructor Abby Lee Miller since the series premiered in 2011.

"It's definitely a hectic show," Ziegler said of her experience. "And it's very hard to be in the reality world without any scripts or anything, and [you just keep] going and going. You definitely have to stay grounded and know where you came from."

So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation premieres May 30 on Fox.