Jenna Dewan Tatum joins 'World of 'Dance' as host and mentor

Actress/dancer added to upcoming NBC dance competition series and joins all-star judges Jennifer Lopez, NE-YO and Derek Hough

Touting an impressive resume as both a highly accomplished actress and world-class dancer, Jenna Dewan Tatum will serve as host and advocate for the competitors on NBC's new dance competition series "World of Dance."

Tatum joins a "World of Dance" team led by judges Derek Hough, NE-YO and Jennifer Lopez, who also serves as executive producer. The upcoming 10-episode series from Universal Television Alternative Studio and Nuyorican Productions will give dancers the platform to showcase their talents and the opportunity to receive a life-altering grand prize of $1 million.

Tatum will share her expertise, experience and unique point of view with both the dancers and the audience, giving viewers insight into technical elements of dance as they relate to the story of the competition. 

" 'World of Dance' is a show by dancers for dancers," Lopez said. "Jenna is the perfect addition to join NE-YO, Derek and me in our 'World of Dance' family. We are thrilled to have her."

Tatum currently has a first-look deal for unscripted projects with Universal Television.

After coming to prominence as the co-lead opposite Channing Tatum in the hit Disney film "Step Up," Tatum went on to star in the Lionsgate film "Setup," opposite Bruce Willis and 50 Cent, and 10 "Years," which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2011. On television, she was a lead in the Lifetime drama series "Witches of East End," and appeared in Ryan Murphy's popular FX miniseries "American Horror Story: Asylum." Most recently, she played Lucy Lane, Lois' brash, funny and beautiful older sister, in the first season of CBS' superhero drama "Supergirl."

Initially discovered by a dance agent, Tatum began her career touring alongside some of the music industry's most highly successful entertainers, including Janet Jackson, Missy Elliot and Ricky Martin. In addition to a thriving acting and dancing career, Tatum recently launched her own production company, Purple Cup. She previously joined forces with close friends and husband Tatum to start their first production company, 33andOut Productions, which has produced the films "22 Jump Street," "10 Years" and the documentary "Earth Made of Glass," which follows Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu.

In partnership with global dance brand World of Dance, this series brings the world's elite dancers together to compete in epic battles of artistry, precision and athleticism. Solo dancers will compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance, including hip-hop, krumping, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom and stomping.

Handpicked from qualifying events around the nation and thousands of online submissions, competitors are divided into three divisions: junior (any size act, 17 years old and under), upper (groups of one to four, 18 and older) and team (groups of five-plus, 18 and older). After an initial audition round, divisions face off in duels, until only one of each is left standing. A panel of experts score the acts using a precise point system developed by World of Dance, using the following criteria: routine, execution, presentation and crowd appeal. The epic finale sees the winners from each division duke it out for $1 million and the title "Best in the World."

Emmy Award-winning choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo, best known as Nappytabs, will also be on board. The pair has an extensive dancing pedigree that most recently includes choreographing J-Lo's record-breaking show in Las Vegas, "All I Have." Additionally, they have worked with Madonna, Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour," as well as TV's "So You Think You Can Dance" and "America's Best Dance Crew."

Emmy Award-winner Alex Rudzinksi will serve as director. Most recently, he was live television director for NBC's "Hairspray Live!" Earlier in 2016, he won two Emmys for his work on FOX's "Grease Live!" Previously, Rudzinski directed all 22 seasons (more than 500 hours) of ABC's top reality show, "Dancing With the Stars." 

For dancers interested in competing on "World of Dance," register at www.worldofdancecasting.com. For more information on the show, go to https://youtu.be/16Qb-49ssCY and https://youtu.be/OFbzsz4j88k

World of Dance is among the most trusted and fastest-growing dance and music entertainment brands, combining a successful digital platform of more than 8 million subscribers with the world's largest international urban dance competition.