Overview

#WorldOfDance was NBC’s short-lived but influential dance competition series (2017-2020) hosted by Jenna Dewan and judged by Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, and Derek Hough, offering the largest prize in reality TV dance history ($1 million) and showcasing diverse global styles.

Origin & History

World of Dance premiered May 30, 2017, capitalizing on the success of So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars but with key differences:

Open categories: Junior (under 18), Upper Team (crew), and Division (groups/duos/solos) Diverse styles: Hip-hop, contemporary, ballroom, tap, breaking, cultural dances—no style restrictions Massive prize: $1 million grand prize (largest in dance TV history) Celebrity judges: Jennifer Lopez (executive producer), Ne-Yo, Derek Hough

The show ran four seasons (2017-2020) before NBC canceled it, citing COVID production challenges and declining ratings.

Notable Acts & Winners

Season 1 (2017): Les Twins (hip-hop duo, France) - WINNERS Season 2 (2018): The Lab (contemporary crew, California) - WINNERS Season 3 (2019): Unity LA (hip-hop crew, California) - WINNERS Season 4 (2020): Jefferson y Adrianita (salsa duo, Colombia) - WINNERS

Breakout performances:

• Charity & Andres: Contemporary duo known for emotional storytelling
• The Crazy 8’s: Youth crew showcasing athleticism and humor
• Vivian Ruiz: Contemporary soloist with powerful technique
• Michael Dameski: Australian contemporary dancer (later joined SYTYCD as all-star)

Cultural Impact

Global representation: Unlike US-centric shows, WOD featured international acts, showcasing Colombian salsa, French hip-hop, Japanese locking, etc.

Prize money legitimacy: $1M prize validated dance as financially viable career path, not just passion project.

Social media engagement: Acts used Instagram/YouTube to build fanbases, with “Duels” rounds going viral.

COVID casualty: Season 4 (2020) aired during pandemic with no live audience, affecting energy. NBC canceled the show shortly after.

Legacy

Though short-lived, World of Dance proved massive prizes and global scope could attract top-tier talent. Many competitors went on to:

• Tour with major artists (Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez)
• Choreograph for music videos and award shows
• Build YouTube/Instagram dance empires
• Teach workshops worldwide

The show’s cancellation highlighted challenges of sustaining dance reality TV in streaming era—audiences fragmented across platforms rather than gathering for appointment TV.

Related Hashtags

• #SYTYCD (longer-running competitor)
• #DancingWithTheStars
• #AmericasBestDanceCrew (predecessor, 2008-2015)
• #JLo (Jennifer Lopez, executive producer/judge)

Sources

• Variety: “NBC Cancels World of Dance After Four Seasons” (January 2021)
• The Hollywood Reporter: “How World of Dance Changed Reality TV Prizes” (2018)
• Entertainment Weekly: “Inside World of Dance’s Global Audition Process” (2019)