Fans of
So You Think You Can Dance were heartbroken this week when the show’s most popular choreographer, Mia Michaels, announced that she was leaving. But don’t despair, producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe says that this doesn’t mean the end of the road for the Mia on
SYTYCD.
“The seat is always there for her,” the show’s co-creator told
TV Guide Magazine while being honored at the Professional Dancer’s Society Fall Ball in Studio City, California, on October 16th. “We’ll keep our fingers crossed and hope she comes back. You have to go out and leave the nest.” Mia’s big announcement might have been a shock to viewers but not to Lythgoe. “Mia and I have spoken about it for a few years, to be honest. She wants other challenges, I can totally understand that,” he explained, adding that if Michaels’ does return it will most likely be as a role of judge and not as a choreographer.
Host Cat Deeley echoed Lythgoe’s sentiments explaining that she doesn’t think this is the last we’ll be seeing of marvelous Mia. “The door is always open, she can always come back anytime she wants to. There’s no shortage of great choreographers but it would be lovely to see her back on the show,” said Deeley.
In the meantime, prospective new judge Paula Abdul was also at the event but remained coy as to her future longterm plans. “Nigel asked me to guest judge and I’m sure there’ll be a time when I’ll do that, absolutely,” said Paula, while expressing her shock at news of Mia’s departure. “I didn’t know that, I don’t know any of this stuff. You just caught me off guard. She’s wonderful, I’m sure she’s carefully thought it out, being one who knows!”