SYTYCD Australia reveals host and judges!

Big, back and busting all the right moves, So You Think You Can Dance Australia is returning to TV with a line-up sure to make heads turn and feet tap.

International music and TV powerhouse Paula Abdul, known for her longtime involvement with American Idol, brings her experience and star power to the judging panel, with The Project’s Logie-winning Carrie Bickmore calling the up-tempo shots as show host.

“I just can’t wait to start work on So You Think You Can Dance Australia,” said Paula Abdul to Channel Ten, who is airing the show. “I am thrilled to be a part of this great show and to experience first-hand the skill, passion and athleticism of these dancers. Aussie dancers are without a doubt some of the best in the world, and it is an honour for me to be a part of finding Australia’s best dancer.”

Bickmore, who came close to studying ballet before catching the journalism bug, can’t wait for the dancers to start performing their routines. “I am so excited to be involved in So You Think You Can Dance Australia. I have loved dancing since I was a little girl.”

“I remember thinking when I first watched the show years ago that it was a production I would have loved to be involved with. It’s fun, high energy and you can’t help but be awestruck by the talent of the dancers,” said Bickmore.

Also joining Abdul on the judging panel is world-acclaimed choreographer Jason Gilkison, So You Think You Can Dance veteran and Burn the Floor creator. He will cast his expert eye over So You Think You Can Dance Australia’s hopefuls, along with renowned choreographers and performers, Aaron Cash and Shannon Holtzapffel. Cash is known for his role as an original Tap Dog and as the former lead dancer for Cher. Holtzapffel, once a dancer for the legendary Michael Jackson, is still a performer currently on tour with Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera.

So You Think You Can Dance Australia will hit Channel Ten sometime in 2014. No official start date has been announced. The show will be produced by Shine Australia after Shine Group penned a global deal with Co-creator, US Executive Producer and Judge Nigel Lythgoe. The show’s highly-anticipated return was announced in July.

Live auditions are apparently in progress as producers travel across the country in search of those who will represent the best Australia has to offer. Those who stand out in these auditions will be shortlisted and then work toward placement in the live competition shows.

For more information on So You Think You Can Dance Australia, visit http://tenplay.com.au.  

Image courtesy of So You Think You Can Dance Australia.