‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Judges: Who Left and Why

When So you think you can dance debuted on FOX in 2005 and featured a panel of dance experts to discover the best up and coming artists.

Nigel Lythgoewho co-created the competition series on the side Simon Fullerhad been one of the longtime judges since the season 1 premiere. However, after belting out the audition music and marveling at the talents of the Top 12 for sixteen seasons, he announced his departure in March 2022.

Both Lythgoe and Mary Murphy – the conductor of the self-proclaimed “Hot Tamale Train” – were replaced ahead of 2022 season 17. Former participant And All-Star mentor Stephen “tWitch” boss joined forces with JoJo Siwa And Mathew Morrison to find the country’s next top dancer.

Morrison then left halfway through the choreography round a “minor offense” get started when he was accused of sending “inappropriate” text messages to a female participant. The cheerfulness alum previously denied the claims “dance lover” Leah Remini took his place.

SYTYCD scheduled to clean house for 2024 season 18, with entry into service SYTYCD alum Allison Holker (Boss’ Widow) And Dancing with the stars veterinary surgeon Maksim Chmerkovskiy as judges.

Scroll below for all SYTYCD judges over the years and why they left the show: