Jennifer Lopez Tells Us Why TV Needed Another Dance Competition

So you think you can make another dance competition series work? Jennifer Lopez does. And judging by the solid Season 1 Nielsen ratings for NBC’s “World of Dance,” she was right.

Going into its second summer on the Peacock network, TheWrap asked Lopez — who serves as executive producer and judge on the show — what exactly it is that sets “World of Dance” apart from “So You Think You Can Dance?,” “Dancing With the Stars” and the other shows that feature fancy footwork battles.

“We thought about that, and I know there are so many out there,” Lopez told TheWrap earlier this month during NBC’s summer press day. “But what sets ‘World of Dance’ apart is it is telling the stories of the dancers. And I hadn’t seen that done well before. I was a dancer, and I know there is so much more to the story of being a dancer than what has been seen on other shows. And ‘World of Dance’ goes into that. We show that. And we show it in many different ways throughout the season and will go further this year.”

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Unlike other dance competition shows, “World of Dance” brought on translators so different stories with international competitors could be told. “We go further than other shows,” Lopez said. “We thought of how to expose our audience to the real life of a dancer. And our series is more than about just competing for the million dollars. It is telling a dancer’s story. It really is.”

The series, which hails from Universal Television Alternative Studio and Nuyorican Productions, gives dancers the platform to showcase their talents and the opportunity to grab for the gold ring — a grand prize of $1 million. Lopez judges the show along with Derek Hough, NE-YO and host/mentor Jenna Dewan.

“World of Dance” Season 2 premieres Tuesday, May 29 at 10/9 c on NBC.