'So You Think You Can Dance' Season 12 Update: Will Paula Abdul replace Mary Murphy? Jason Derulo joins Nigel Lythgoe in the panel?

By Staff Writer

Jan 27 2015, 08:17 AM EST

Paula Abdul is set to replace Mary Murphy as a resident judge in this season of "So You Can Dance." Together with her co-judge, Jason Derulo who was earlier been reported to be part of the show as a judge.

Fox TV officials confirmed that Abdul's participation in Season 12 replacing Mary Murphy, a ballroom dance champion and who has been the judge since 2005. As cited in International Business Times, the reality show queen is so excited to be part of the series.

"I'm honored to be joining the judges' panel this season ... I have dedicated a large part of my career as a choreographer to discovering and mentoring some of the most iconic artists and performers from all over the world," Abdul said.

Lythgoe has been pushing her to be involved to the show for several years now as reported in ET. He said, "When I created 'So You Can Dance' I thought she was a natural fit being a singer/dancer and choreographer because that's really important to see the potential of these dancers not just what they're doing now."

Jason Derulo is also part of the show. He was once invited as a guest judge from the reality competition. Yet, he has given the seat to be part of the panel of judges who will be joining Abdul during the premiere of the season 12. He also shared similar sentiment with Abdul. Both of them are honored to be together in a show as resident judges.

"It's going to be a true honor and pleasure joining this panel with Jason and Nigel [Lythgoe], and I'm looking forward to an exciting new season," she said.

On the other hand, Derulo said, "I'm lucky to have my colleagues be vets because I'm fresh. I'm still we behind the ears!"

According to the same source, the executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, sees the fresh and exciting format of the show with Abdul and Derulo's presence. This means that the competition will stir up by having street dancers compete with classical trained stage dancers in the new installment.

As the producers described the show, "Throughout the auditions, the dancers who advance will be placed into two teams - the stage dancers, featuring those trained in styles such as contemporary, ballet, jazz, or tap; and the street dancers, hopefuls skilled in hip-hop, animation or breaking.

They added, "As the auditions continue, the judges, along with each team's All-Star Mentor, will eliminate dancers until only Top 20 - 10 Street Dancers and 10 Stage Dancers."

The first round of auditions will be set in New York City this weekend with open auditions at Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom and Hammerstein Ballroom. By January 25 and 26, the judges' callbacks will be scheduled. Auditions will continue at Dallas by February 14; Detroit on February 22; Memphis on March 8; and LA on March 15.