'Dancing with the Stars' Pro Joins 'SYTYCD' Judging Panel for Season 18
Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Comfort Fedoke, Cat Deeley, Nigel Lythgoe and Allison Holker
FOX’s hit competition series So You Think You Can Dance will return for an 18th season in spring of 2024 and it will have something old and something new.
The old is the return of Nigel Lythgoe as one of the judges and Cat Deeley back as host. The new is the addition of Allison Holker and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Allison was formerly a contestant on the series and is the widow of Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who was also a contestant and judge on the series. In addition, she was one of the 12 professional dancers on the 19th season of Dancing with the Stars and served as a choreographer. Maks, of course, is a DWTS Mirrorball Trophy winner and choreographer and is brand-new to SYTYCD.
Also new is a format change depicting the authentic experience of building a successful career in dance. Toward that end, each week, contestants will compete in intense dance challenges that will give them a realistic taste of the career, from performing in a music video or a football halftime show to going toe-to-toe on stage with a Broadway performer.
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Additionally, joining the judging panel for the audition round is Comfort Fedoke, a former SYTYCD All-Star and an associate choreographer on the new film Wicked.
“So You Think You Can Dance is television’s preeminent dance competition, and we are thrilled to bring the beloved show back for an all-new season,” said Allison Wallach, president of Unscripted Programming at FOX Entertainment. “Reuniting Cat, Nigel, Allison and Comfort and, welcoming Maksim into the SYTYCD family, is sure to make Season 18 bigger than ever for their legions of fans around the globe.”
This season, as previously, dancers from across the country will showcase their talent in a wide array of dance styles, including contemporary, tap, hip-hop, ballroom and more, in hopes of securing one of 10 coveted spots on the show.
Related: Allison Holker Gets Candid About 'Grief' Ahead of 1-Year Anniversary of Stephen 'tWitch' Boss' Death
But more than just watching them dance, viewers will go behind-the-scenes to follow the contestants as they go through their personal and competitive journeys, including the daily struggles, new relationships, personality clashes and more.
Eliminations will take place weekly, with the Top 3 finalists competing in the season’s finale, but only one will win the $100,000 grand prize and the coveted title of So You Think You Can Dance champion.
So You Think You Can Dance season 18 will premiere on Monday, March 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.
