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JoJo Siwa, the newly named So, you think you can dance judge, is pictured at the American Music Awards on November 21, 2021 in Los Angeles.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
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Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
JoJo Siwa, the newly named So, you think you can dance judge, is pictured at the American Music Awards on November 21, 2021 in Los Angeles.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
JoJo Siwa to replace Nigel Lythgoe as judge on hit reality TV dance series So, you think you can dance.
Fox announced that the 20-year-old television and social media personality will join co-hosts Allison Holker and Maksim Chmerkovskiy at the launch of season 18 on March 4, following Lythgoe’s decision to step down while facing two lawsuits over sexual assault.
The 74-year-old producer and choreographer is accused of assaulting his prominent co-host, television personality, actress and singer Paula Abdul, who filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Lythgoe late last year. Two other women, former contestants of the reality show every american girllaunched a separate sexual assault lawsuit against Lythgoe shortly after.
Lythgoe has denied the allegations.
“I have informed the producers of So, you think you can dance of my decision to stop participating in this year’s series,” Lythgoe said in a statement shared with NPR on Jan. 6. “I did so with a heavy heart but completely voluntarily because this great show has always been about dance and dancers , and that’s where your focus should remain. In the meantime, I am dedicated to clearing my name and restoring my reputation.”
The show’s producers, Fox, 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions, also shared a statement at the time about their decision to move forward without Lythgoe, “to ensure the show remains committed to the contestants, who have worked incredibly hard to have the opportunity to compete.” on our stage.”
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Siwa launched her career on the Lifetime series. dance moms in 2015. He continued to work with Nickelodeon and developed a following on YouTube during videos about your daily life. Siwa appeared in season 30 of dancing with the stars in 2021, doing news headlines as the first person to dance with a same-sex partner.
Siwa’s previous appearance as a judge on the final season of So, you think you can dance has divided fans of the show over the news of his appointment for the upcoming season.
“This ruins the show for me. I tried watching it when she was on last season. It’s so annoying and loud. I’m not going to watch it now,” one person wrote on the site. Fox Instagram Channels announcing Siwa’s new job. “She surprised me how good she was at judging. Jojo is loud, but she really knows what she’s doing. And her technical comments, for the most part, are spot on. Give her a break,” wrote another.