JoJo Siwa replaces Nigel Lythgoe as So You Think You Can Dance judge after sexual assault lawsuits

So You Think You Dance has found a new judge to replace Nigel Lythgoe, and the show didn't have to look far.

Fox announced Friday that JoJo Siwa will return to the judging panel for season 18, after previously serving as a judge on season 17 of the reality program.

Twenty-year-old Siwa, who also competed on season 30 of rival dance competition series Dancing With the Stars, will join judges Allison Holker, the choreographer and former SYTYCD All-Star, and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, another DWTS alum who recently appeared on The Traitors as well.

Lythgoe had been slated to reprise his duties for season 18, but the longtime judge and series co-creator stepped down earlier this month in the wake of sexual assault allegations. "I have informed the producers of So You Think You Can Dance of my decision to step back from participating in this year's series," he said in a statement. "I did so with a heavy heart but entirely voluntarily because this great program has always been about dance and dancers, and that's where its focus needs to remain. In the meantime, I am dedicating myself to clearing my name and restoring my reputation."

Lythgoe has been accused of sexual assault in two separate lawsuits from Paula Abdul and two female former contestants on the reality show All American Girl. Abdul has alleged that Lythgoe sexually assaulted her during an early season of American Idol and again when she was a judge on SYTYCD; she also claimed that Lythgoe assaulted her assistant. Lythgoe denied Abdul's allegations.

So You Think You Can Dance season 18 will debut Monday, March 4. Cat Deeley will continue to serve as host, but the show is revising its format this year. Fox describes the new format as one intended to more fully reflect the authentic experience of what it is to build a career in dance. Contestants will compete in new weekly dance challenges designed to give them a true taste of life as a dancer, including performing in a music video, prepping for a football halftime show, and going toe-to-toe with a Broadway veteran.

Each week the judges will decide who to send home and who gets to stay to compete for the $100,000 grand prize.

 Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related content:

• Nigel Lythgoe steps down from So You Think You Can Dance amid sexual assault allegations
• Paula Abdul sues American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance producer Nigel Lythgoe for sexual assault
• So You Think You Can Dance season 18 will bring back Nigel Lythgoe and Allison Holker