So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) is returning to AXN, Southeast Asia’s No. 1 international channel last year. Creators Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe have tweaked the show’s highly successful formula and come up with a new format this season that will challenge contestants to up their grooves and moves!

In the dazzling, fast-paced reality competition series hosted by British TV presenter Cat Deeley to search for the best dancers in America, contestants are tested on their versatility in a wide range of genres ranging from Quickstep, Jazz and Salsa, to Hip-Hop, Krumping and Popping.

Judges Nigel Lythgoe (American Idol), Adam Shankman (Hairspray) and Mia Michaels (Cirque du Soleil), as well as Emmy-winning celebrity choreographers Wade Robson (worked with Britney Spears and N’Sync) and Tyce Diorio (worked with Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin), whittle down the finalists to the last one standing. Crowned America’s Favourite Dancer, the winner of SYTYCD stands to clinch a magazine cover, a product endorsement and USD250,000 in cash!

Adding zing this season is a 12 all-star SYTYCD alumni comprising Season 4 runner-up Stephen “tWitch” Boss (Step Up 3D), Season 3’s Top 6 Lauren Gottlieb (Disaster Movie, Hannah Montana: The Movie), and Season 6’s second runner-up Kathryn McCormick (Fame), among others. Each week, contestants pick a new partner from one of the 12 alumni and then dance to his or her specialised style. Gone are the days when they get an entire season to strike a rapport with a fixed partner!

The judges believe the new format will raise the standard of dance significantly. “It brings a whole strength and professionalism to the stage. The performances are so over-the-top. You know me, I don’t get excited much. Nothing really excites me. And I was jumping out of my chair a couple times during the first performance show!” gushed new judge, Michaels.

Here’s a summary of the changes afoot this season:

Then

Now

Season 7 is graced by a star-studded list of celebrity guests that includes Ne-Yo, Usher, Enrique Iglesias and Natasha Bedingfield. Popular talk show host Ellen Degeneres puts in a special appearance where she performs a challenging hip-hop routine – definitely something to watch out for.

The show’s appeal lies not only with the celebrity guest stars but also the stunning choreography showcasing fresh, untapped talent. What shines through is the contestants’ enormous passion for dance and ability to tackle almost any form of dance with aplomb. Viewers can’t help but soak in the infectious dance beat. And even if the dancing fails to sparkle, the judges’ straight talk and contestants’ diverse reactions are reason enough to stay glued to the box.

Put on your dancing shoes and start tapping those toes in January with So You Think You Can Dance Season 7!

First and Exclusive
Starts January 24, Monday, 8.10pm (SG/MY/PH) / 9.10pm (HK) / 7.10pm (JKT)