Nigel Lythgoe

A one-time dancer and choreographer, he later became an English television and film director and producer, who crashed onto the Hollywood scene, producing the shows American Idol: The Search for a Superstar (2002) as well as creating, executive producing and being a regular judge on Tu crois que tu sais danser (2005).

[Hip-hop dancers] are stunning in what they can do. What's happening is they're starting to go to class; they're actually starting to get some professional lessons. And that, for me, is very exciting because we've always discussed fusing the different styles. And to see them take it on board now and to do different things, even ballroom, is terrific, because nobody can do what they can do. So, if they then start doing what other people can, wow. They're going to be very dangerous contestants.