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The Future Of SYTYCD: 5 Shocking Updates On 'So You Think You Can Dance' Season 19, New Judges, And The Controversies That Rocked The Show

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The landscape of competitive dance has fundamentally shifted. As of December 23, 2025, fans of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) are in a state of anxious anticipation, waiting for the official confirmation of Season 19. The Emmy-winning series, which has long been a flagship for showcasing the nation's most versatile dancers, has recently made headlines not just for breathtaking routines, but for dramatic changes in its format, a completely new judging panel, and a major controversy that led to the exit of one of its co-creators. The show is at a pivotal moment, balancing its celebrated legacy with a need to evolve for a new generation of viewers and dancers.

The latest season, Season 18, which premiered in early 2024, introduced a faster-paced format and a host of fresh faces, signaling a new era for the Fox reality giant. While the talent on stage—from the explosive Hip Hop of Anthony Curley to the graceful Contemporary lines of Mariyah Hawkins—remained world-class, the conversation surrounding the show has been dominated by off-screen drama. Understanding the current status requires looking beyond the stage lights and into the boardroom, the court filings, and the passionate debates of the fan community.

The New Era: Season 18's Champion, Judges, and Format Overhaul

Season 18 of So You Think You Can Dance was designed to be a significant refresh, aiming to recapture the energy and cultural relevance of its early years. The entire show was streamlined, focusing more on the dancers' personal journeys and the challenges they faced in real-world scenarios, such as performing in music videos and on tour with musical artists. This format shift, while criticized by some purists who missed the traditional Top 20 structure, ultimately crowned a deserving champion and introduced a new panel of celebrity judges.

Anthony Curley: The Season 18 Winner's Profile

  • Full Name: Anthony Curley
  • Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
  • Dance Style: Hip Hop, specializing in Popping and Locking
  • Season: 18 (2024)
  • Winning Partner/Routine: His dynamic duo routines with Mariyah Hawkins, particularly their high-energy Hip Hop pieces, were fan favorites and critical successes.
  • Key Routines: Standout performances included his powerful solo showcases and the final Hip Hop routine with Mariyah, which cemented his versatility and stage presence.
  • Prize: A $100,000 cash prize and the coveted title of "America's Favorite Dancer."

The Fresh Face of the Judging Panel

The most visible change for Season 18 was the introduction of an almost entirely new judging panel, replacing long-time veterans. This move was a clear effort to inject new perspectives and bring in voices relevant to today's pop culture and dance scene. The panel was composed of three highly recognizable figures:

  • JoJo Siwa: The pop sensation and former Dancing with the Stars contestant returned to the panel, bringing her massive social media following and a deep understanding of commercial dance.
  • Maksim "Maks" Chmerkovskiy: The veteran Dancing with the Stars pro provided sharp, technical critiques, particularly in the Ballroom and Latin styles, lending credibility from the professional dance world.
  • Allison Holker: A beloved SYTYCD alum (Season 2) and All-Star, Holker's return was a welcome sight for long-time fans, offering a perspective rooted in the show's history and the challenges the contestants face.

Cat Deeley, the iconic and beloved host, continued to anchor the show, providing the crucial emotional connection between the dancers and the audience, a role she has mastered for nearly two decades.

The Controversy That Shook the Foundation: Nigel Lythgoe's Exit

The biggest story to overshadow the on-screen talent was the dramatic exit of co-creator and long-time judge, Nigel Lythgoe, in January 2024. Lythgoe, who had been the show's consistent voice since its inception, stepped down following a lawsuit filed by Paula Abdul, a former judge on the show.

The lawsuit alleged sexual assault and battery, creating a major legal and public relations crisis for the show. Lythgoe vehemently denied the allegations, but the pressure led to his immediate departure. This event marked the end of an era, as Lythgoe's presence was synonymous with the show's format and tone, often serving as the primary voice of authority. His absence in Season 18 was palpable, forcing the new panel to define its own identity and critical voice.

This controversy, coupled with the passing of previous SYTYCD stars like Season 4 winner Joshua Allen, has created a somber atmosphere around the show's legacy, prompting a deeper discussion about the welfare and treatment of dancers within the reality TV industry.

The Uncertain Countdown: Is 'So You Think You Can Dance' Season 19 Confirmed?

The million-dollar question for the global dance community is simple: Will there be a Season 19? As of late 2025, FOX has yet to make an official announcement regarding the renewal status of SYTYCD. This silence has fueled intense speculation among fans and industry insiders alike. The show's future hinges on several critical factors, including ratings performance of Season 18, budget constraints, and the network's overall programming strategy.

The fan community on platforms like Reddit has been vocal, with many noting the lack of official news. While some attribute the delay to the show's recent controversies and the need for a strategic re-evaluation, others remain optimistic, pointing to the dedicated, if smaller, fanbase and the show's Emmy-winning pedigree. A key concern for long-time viewers is the potential for further format changes, with many hoping for a return to the emphasis on professional choreographers and the pure artistry of dance styles like Contemporary, Jazz, and Tap, which were the hallmarks of earlier seasons.

If Season 19 does get the green light, it will likely air in the 2026 television season, and the network will face the challenge of deciding whether to retain the new judging panel or introduce yet another shake-up to keep the series fresh and relevant. The success of the next season will depend on its ability to move past the off-screen drama and refocus the spotlight squarely on the incredible talent of the contestants.

The Topical Authority: SYTYCD's Influence on Professional Dance

Regardless of its renewal status, the cultural impact and topical authority of So You Think You Can Dance on the world of professional dance cannot be overstated. The show has served as a vital platform for numerous entities and individuals within the dance industry, fundamentally changing career trajectories and public perception of dance as an art form.

  • Choreographers: The show launched the careers of world-renowned choreographers like Mia Michaels, Travis Wall, Mandy Moore, and Sonya Tayeh, whose Emmy-winning work became synonymous with the show's artistic quality.
  • Dance Styles: SYTYCD was instrumental in bringing diverse dance styles—from Krumping and Voguing to Paso Doble and Broadway—into millions of American homes, fostering a broader appreciation for technical dance beyond Ballroom shows like Dancing with the Stars.
  • All-Stars: The All-Star system, which paired contestants with former top dancers like Allison Holker, Comfort Fedoke, and others, created a powerful mentorship model that elevated the competition and created a lineage for the show's legacy.
  • Contestant Success: Many former contestants, including winners and finalists, have gone on to successful careers on Broadway, in major touring productions, and as choreographers themselves, demonstrating the show's ability to launch legitimate professional careers.

The show’s focus on the technical skill and emotional storytelling required for Contemporary, Jazz, and Hip Hop routines has set a high bar for dance competitions worldwide. It remains a benchmark for aspiring dancers hoping to prove their versatility and endurance in a high-pressure, multi-genre environment.

What Fans are Demanding for Season 19

The dedicated fanbase has clear intentions for what they hope to see should SYTYCD return for Season 19. The intention is clear: a return to the roots that made the show an Emmy powerhouse, but with a modern sensibility.

  1. Focus on Choreography: Fans want the show to re-emphasize the role of the master choreographers and give more airtime to the creative process, which often provides the most emotionally resonant moments.
  2. More Diverse Styles: A broader inclusion of styles like Tap and specialized Ballroom, which were sometimes sidelined in the faster Season 18 format, is a major request.
  3. Judging Consistency: While the new panel was energetic, some viewers missed the deep, technical dance history knowledge provided by original judges like Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy. A consistent, technically-minded dance historian on the panel is a key demand.
  4. Fairer Eliminations: The rushed production of Season 18 led to some controversial eliminations. Fans are demanding a return to a more transparent and less rushed process that allows the audience to truly connect with the Top 10 dancers, such as Dakayla Wilson and Easton Magliarditi, before they face elimination.

As the dance world waits for the official announcement, the legacy of So You Think You Can Dance hangs in the balance. Whether it returns for Season 19 or not, the show has already secured its place as one of the most influential dance competition series of all time, fundamentally shaping the careers of countless dancers and choreographers and raising the artistic standard for reality television.

The Future of SYTYCD: 5 Shocking Updates on 'So You Think You Can Dance' Season 19, New Judges, and the Controversies That Rocked the Show
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