Biography

Nigel Lythgoe

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Nigel Lythgoe was born on July 9, 1949 in Wirral, England, UK. He is a producer and writer, known for So You Think You Can Dance (2005), Gladiators (1992) and American Idol (2002). He was previously married to Bonnie Lythgoe.

A one-time dancer and choreographer, he later became an English television and film director and producer, who crashed onto the Hollywood scene, producing the shows American Idol (2002) as well as creating, executive producing and being a regular judge on So You Think You Can Dance (2005).
Has choreographed for Ben Vereen, Shirley Bassey and the Muppets.
Held the post of Head of Entertainment and Comedy at London Weekend Television, where he commissioned and produced shows including "Gladiators" and "Blind Date".
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to the performing arts, education and charity. He is a television producer.
He met former wife, Bonnie Lythgoe, while he was choreographer for the BBC's "Young Generation" dance troupe. They married in 1974 and divorced in 2007. Bonnie was also an audition judge on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance (2005) and is a judge on the Australian version of the show, So You Think You Can Dance Australia (2008). The couple have two sons: Simon Lythgoe and Kristopher Lythgoe.

[Hip-hop dancers] are stunning in what they can do. What's happening is they're starting to go to class; they're actually starting to get some professional lessons. And that, for me, is very exciting because we've always discussed fusing the different styles. And to see them take it on board now and to do different things, even ballroom, is terrific, because nobody can do what they can do. So, if they then start doing what other people can, wow. They're going to be very dangerous contestants.
It saddens me a great deal that, you know, so many kids turn around and say, 'My dad doesn't want me to do this.' It's this terrible image that some people have got of 'My son's going to dance' and 'Oh my God, is he gay?' No. 1, if he is gay, then still be proud of him. What's wrong with being gay in this day and age. But No. 2, don't just associate dance with being gay. It's just so wrong, you know?

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