TV IN HIGH HEELS: WORLD OF DANCE LANDS HOST
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Jan. 10, 2017 — Touting an impressive resume as both a highly accomplished actress and world-class dancer, Jenna Dewan Tatum will serve as host and advocate for the competitors on NBC’s new dance competition series “World of Dance.”
Tatum joins an extraordinary talented “World of Dance” team led by judges Derek Hough, NE-YO and Jennifer Lopez, who also serves as executive producer. The upcoming 10-episode series from Universal Television Alternative Studio and Nuyorican Productions will give dancers the platform to showcase their talents and the opportunity to receive a life-altering grand prize of $1 million.
Tatum will share her expertise, experience and unique point of view with both the dancers and the audience, giving viewers insight into technical elements of dance as they relate to the story of the competition.
“‘World of Dance’ is a show by dancers for dancers,” said Lopez. “Jenna is the perfect addition to join NE-YO, Derek and me in our ‘World of Dance’ family. We are thrilled to have her.”
“Jenna’s background as a dancer, entertainer and actress make her the perfect choice to host and work alongside our three incredibly talented judges,” said Meredith Ahr, President, Universal Television Alternative Studio, NBC Entertainment. “We can’t wait to get started and give these four superstars a chance to both articulate and demonstrate how transformational dance can be.”
Tatum currently has a first-look deal for unscripted projects with Universal Television.
After coming to prominence as the co-lead opposite Channing Tatum in the hit Disney film “Step Up,” Tatum went on to star in the Lionsgate film “Setup,” opposite Bruce Willis and 50 Cent, and 10 “Years,” which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2011. On television, she was a lead in the Lifetime drama series “Witches of East End,” and appeared in Ryan Murphy’s popular FX miniseries “American Horror Story: Asylum.” Most recently, she played Lucy Lane, Lois’ brash, funny and beautiful older sister, in the first season of CBS’ superhero drama ”Supergirl.”
Initially discovered by a dance agent, Tatum began her career touring alongside some of the music industry’s most highly successful entertainers, including Janet Jackson, Missy Elliot and Ricky Martin. In addition to a thriving acting and dancing career, Tatum recently launched her own production company, Purple Cup. She previously joined forces with close friends and husband Channing Tatum to start their first production company, 33andOut Productions, which has produced the films “22 Jump Street,” “10 Years” and the documentary “Earth Made of Glass“ that follows Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu.
In partnership with preeminent global dance brand World of Dance, the series brings the world’s elite dancers together to compete in epic battles of artistry, precision and athleticism. Solo dancers will compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance, including hip-hop, krumping, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, stomping and more.
Handpicked from qualifying events around the nation and thousands of online submissions, competitors are divided into three divisions: Junior (any size act, 17 years old and under), Upper (groups of 1- 4, 18 and older) and Team (groups of 5+, 18 and older). After an initial audition round, divisions face off in duels, until only one of each is left standing. A panel of experts score the acts using a precise point system developed by World of Dance, using the following criteria: Routine, Execution, Presentation, and Crowd Appeal. The epic finale sees the winners from each division duke it out for $1 million and the title “Best in the World.”
Emmy Award-winning choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo, best known as Nappytabs, will also be on board. The pair has an extensive dancing pedigree that most recently includes choreographing Jennifer Lopez‘s record-breaking show in Las Vegas, “All I Have.” Additionally, they have worked with Madonna, Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour,” as well as TV’s “So You Think You Can Dance” and “America’s Best Dance Crew.”
Emmy Award winner Alex Rudzinksi will serve as director. Most recently he was live television director for NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” and, earlier in 2016, won two Emmys for his work on Fox’s “Grease Live!” Previously, Rudzinski directed all 22 seasons (more than 500 hours) of ABC’s top reality show, “Dancing With the Stars.”
For dancers interested in competing on “World of Dance,” please register at www.worldofdancecasting.com
World of Dance is among the most trusted and fastest growing dance and music entertainment brands, combining a successful digital platform of more than 8 million subscribers with the world’s largest international urban dance competition. What began in 2008 as a single event is now a continent-spanning, tour de force of human spirit and sick dance moves. The World of Dance Tour attracts YouTube stars, industry icons and tens of thousands of fans to events in more than 25 countries, spanning the U.S., Europe, South America, and Asia. The inspiring performance videos captured from these events drive 30 million monthly views online, making World of Dance the largest dance entertainment channel on YouTube. No language barriers. No animosity. Just pure, awe-inspiring movement.
Jennifer Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas & Benny Medina will executive produce for Nuyorican Productions. Also executive producing are Kris Curry, Matilda Zoltowski, David Gonzalez, Matthew Everitt and Al Hassas. The series will be produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio in association with Nuyorican Productions and World of Dance.
