It's official! Paula Abdul is joining Season 12 of "So You Think You Can Dance" as a new judge. The 52-year-old will replace Mary Murphy, who announced her exit last year after Fox decided not to renew her contract.
According to Deadline, Abdul will be joined by newbie Jason Derulo, returning judge Nigel Lythgoe and host Cat Deeley. Producers of the show also have another surprise up their sleeves; this season stage dancers will be battling street dancers.
"With the new and exciting format comes a new and exciting panel of judges," Lythgoe told Deadline. "Paula is an incredible artist, and she brings the heart to the panel. Jason's insight, humor and creativity will add a new perspective to the panel that we haven't had before."
During the 2015 Television Critics Association Winter press tour it was hinted that Abdul would be joining the show. At the time, Fox Network boss Gary Newman told reporters that he was discussing the gig with the former "American Idol" judge.
"We don't have a deal closed so we have nothing to announce, but we hope to soon," he said. "We think Paula is great. America loves her and responds to her."
"Paula has an amazing personality from all those years on 'Idol' and in particular, America always loved her. She brings a tremendous amount of credibility to the dance world and that's what you're looking for in a judge, to be credible and entertaining," he added.
Newman also said the reason behind Murphy's departure was because the show "needed to be shaken up a bit."
"We love Mary. She was a huge part of that show," Newman said at the TCA. "She was a great advocate for the show and advocate for the network. We wish Mary well and she really was a great partner over the years, but we just felt the show needed to be shaken up a bit. We worked with our producers and are trying to do that."
