JoJo Siwa Draws Criticism From ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Fans Over Season 17 Role

Popular Fox dance reality show So You Think You Can Dance is back with some significant changes for Season 17. The show has been revamped with an all-new panel of judges, including dancer and Ellen DeGeneres Show Co-Executive Producer and DJ, Stephen “Twitch” Boss, Glee’s Matthew Morrison, and JoJo Siwa. After the COVID-19 pandemic put the show on hold for two years, former judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Laurieann Gibson were replaced.

After watching the first episode of the season, fans took to Twitter and criticized Siwa for being too “loud” during her judging, commenting that they miss the old format and judges.

One fan wrote, “@FOXTV #SYTYCD @DANCEonFOX @itsjojosiwa please stop yelling Hey heyheyhey during the performances. It’s distracting and I find it inappropriate and rude. Maybe quite it down and find another exclamation to say.”

Another user posted, “Five minutes in, & am not a fan. I hate it for the dancers because they aren’t getting to experience the true #SYTYCD. Bring back Nigel or any of the qualified choreographers to judge. I’m sorry but JoJo is neither… wasn’t a fan when she was on Dance Moms. Hard to watch.”

Siwa told TALENTRECAP that she grew up with the show and remembered her friends wanting to audition for the series. “It’s wild, growing up watching it now versus being a part of it,” Siwa said. “Obviously, the panel is very different, we’re not having some of the most iconic people that have been a part of this show, however, it’s new.”

Siwa explained that each judge brings something unique to the table. The panel is led by Boss, while Matthew Morrison brings a musical theatre background. The dancer explained how the coronavirus changed everything about how we live, so the new series continues to evolve with the participants this season.

Siwa acknowledged that the competition would bring out a new side of her. The dancer wants to be the technical judge among the three, although she is known for being nice. As a dancer, she feels it’s the right place for her in the trio, given her background and training.”Never mean, I don’t want to be a mean human, but you know, honest,” Siwa said.