NBC’s snagged Derek Hough and Ne-Yo to join Jennifer Lopez as judges on World of Dance. The dance competition series’ first season will consist of 10 episodes executive produced by Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina, Kris Curry, Matilda Zoltowski, David Gonzalez, Matthew Everitt and Al Hassas. The competition series will award a grand prize of $1 million to the dancer who finishes in first place.
“Jennifer, Derek and NE-YO are three of the most accomplished dancers of their generation, and their incredible insight from the judges’ table will be both inspiring and wholly constructive to the world-class level of dancers who are competing on the show,” stated Meredith Ahr, President, Universal Television Alternative Studio. “We feel so very honored that the three of them are giving back to the dance community in this way.”
Details on World of Dance: In partnership with preeminent global dance brand World of Dance, the series brings the world’s elite dancers together to compete in epic battles of artistry, precision and athleticism. Solo dancers will compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance, including hip-hop, krumping, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, stomping and more.
Handpicked from qualifying events around the nation and thousands of online submissions, competitors are divided into three divisions: Junior (any size act under 16 years old), Upper (groups of 1- 4, over 16 years) and Team (groups of 5+, over 16 years). After an initial audition round, divisions face off in duels, until only one of each is left standing. A panel of experts score the acts using a precise point system developed by World of Dance, using the following criteria: Routine, Execution, Presentation, and Crowd Appeal. The epic finale sees the winners from each division duke it out for $1 million and the title “Best in the World.”
Dancers can register to be considered for World of Dance at www.worldofdancecasting.com.
