Jennifer Lopez has added on-screen judge and mentor to her duties as executive producer of NBC’s new dance competition series World of Dance. Additional judges have yet to be announced.
The previously announced 10-episode series, from Universal Television Alternative Studio and Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions, brings elite dancers from around the globe together to compete in battles of artistry, precision and athleticism. Solo artists will compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance, including hip hop, krumping, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, clogging, stomping and more.
Selected from qualifying events and 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). A panel of experts will score the acts using a point system developed by World of Dance that rates routine, execution, presentation and crowd appeal. The finale sees the winners from each division duke it out for $1 million and “Best in the World” title.
“I identify with the struggles, passion, discipline, competition and exhilaration of dance,” said Lopez. “I am excited that with this show we can skyrocket a dancer’s career and help guide them to success.”
Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas & Benny Medina will executive produce for Nuyorican Productions. Also executive producing are Kris Curry, Matilda Zoltowski, David Gonzalez, Matthew Everitt and Al Hassas. The series will be produced by Universal Television Alternative Studios in association with Nuyorican Productions.