Paula Abdul Joins So You Think You Can Dance Season 12: "Dance Is the Oxygen for Them — It's the Air That We Breathe"

On May 29, 2015, FOX hosted a press conference call with new So You Think You Can Dance judge Paula Abdul ahead of the Season 12 premiere on Monday, June 1st at 8 p.m. on FOX. The season introduced a new stage-versus-street format with team captains Twitch (street) and Travis Wall (stage). Premier Guide Miami was on the call. Below are the highlights.

On how it all started — from Gene Kelly to the Laker Girls:

It all started when I was four years old when I first watched Singin' in the Rain with my family. I fell in love with Gene Kelly, and my parents said that I stood up and proclaimed that I'm going to be an entertainer — and honestly, I never stopped. I never looked back. I started training when I was seven and a half, which is considered kind of late because kids today say two and a half, three years old, and my response is, 'Why did you start so late?' My first audition was as a Laker girl — that was my first job — and I took that seriously and transformed the Laker girls into a legitimate dance team. That's where I got my break, and I was discovered by The Jacksons. That was my first tour. I went on to choreograph Can't Buy Me Love, Bull Durham, Coming to America, Jerry Maguire, The Doors — and tours from The Jacksons to Janet Jackson, ZZ Top, George Michael, on and on. So I've had a wonderful experience, and went on to choreograph the Academy Awards while I was doing my pop music as well. — Paula Abdul

On why SYTYCD's fan base remains so fiercely loyal:

What gets people about this show and why there's such a fierce, strong niche audience is that they're seeing these young dancers and the tremendous athleticism and the amount of tenacity and drive that these young kids have. Unlike other art forms, dancers have such a unique spirit and psyche — they don't go into this because it's a hobby. They do it because they have to; it's like the oxygen for them, it's the air that we breathe. It's not for the faint-hearted. These people who are so über-talented go in and put in as many hours as kids who go to law school or want to become a doctor. There's really not a big difference. It's the same level of athleticism as professional athletes. And this show, So You Think You Can Dance, legitimizes real careers for these young dancers. You've seen these young dancers turn into choreographers, and these choreographers turn into Emmy Award-winning choreographers. That's why the fan base is so fierce and loyal. — Paula Abdul

On what she looks for in a dancer — and what sets someone apart:

It's that inner confidence and just that belief that if I go out there and I just do my best. I always tell these dancers: be bold, be daring, and show your unique ability. Because of the show doing so well, you see all these dance conventions and all these kids who come into audition — they're merely imitating the standards that So You Think You Can Dance has already set as the bar. Unless you're going to do it better or with a different twist, don't do it — because we've seen it all. Show us something that makes you stand out completely as a unique ability that we're going to remember. That's what's going to set you apart. — Paula Abdul

On the new stage-versus-street format and what to expect:

I'm really excited about the new twist of format because we have team captains — Twitch as the team captain of the street side, and Travis as the team captain of the stage side. This time it's not about the top twenty. It's the ten best on the street side, ten best on stage, and it's not necessarily about equal female to male — it's whoever the best is. I think with the two team captains there's going to be a competitive edge that we haven't seen on this show in addition to the contestants competing. You're going to see intensity with both Twitch and Travis. — Paula Abdul

On her Emmy wins and watching Travis Wall grow up on the show:

I've won multiple Emmys as a choreographer. I was the youngest choreographer to ever receive an Emmy as a choreographer. As far as watching the show, I'm a huge fan — I've been watching it since season one. I remember going up to Travis Wall when he was a contestant, sitting him down and talking to him and telling him how brilliant of a talent he has and to be patient with the process. I'm very invested in this show and I always have been. — Paula Abdul

So You Think You Can Dance Season 12 premiered Monday, June 1, 2015 on FOX. Paula Abdul joined the judging panel alongside Nigel Lythgoe and Jason Derulo.

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