So is Abby Lee Miller proud … or jelly? (And what does this mean for Dance Moms?) FOX announced today that the Lifetime reality show’s breakout star Maddie Ziegler will join Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul and Jason Derulo as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation.
So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation — which premieres Monday, May 30, at 9/8CT on FOX — features multi-talented dancers between the ages of 8-13 strutting their stuff in a variety of dance styles, including contemporary, tap, hip-hop, ballroom, animation or breakdancing.
And since she’s been there, done that for most of her life, the thirteen-year-old Ziegler is uniquely qualified to lend them advice. Since rising to fame on Dance Moms when the show launched in 2011, Ziegler parlayed the exposure — and her formidable talent — international fame via a trio of controversial Sia videos and scripted roles in a host of kid-centric shows. She’ll make her feature film debut in the upcoming drama The Book of Henry starring Naomi Watts and Room‘s Jacob Tremblay.
If you think you — or your kid — has what it takes to win Maddie’s praise, auditions for So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation will be held March 11 in Chicago and March 18 in New York. You can find out more here.
According to FOX, prospects will compete for a place at “The Academy,” where the top ten junior dancers will eventually be chosen and paired with a SYTYCD all-star. The action then moves to the So You Think You Can Dance studios, where they’ll work with world-class choreographers and the judges will do their thing, eliminating competitors until the first So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation winner is chosen.
So what do you say, Ziegler fans? Are you happy to have a weekly dose of Maddie away from Dance Moms? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation premieres Monday, May 30, at 9/8CT on FOX.