Allison Holker Shares Why She's 'Grateful' Filming So You Think You Can Dance as a New Judge

A So You Think You Can Dance fan favorite is back on set for the first time in years. 

On Thursday, Allison Holker Boss shared that she was back on the set of the Fox reality competition series, on which she’ll serve as a judge in the forthcoming season 18. It marks the choreographer’s first return to the series since the death of her husband Stephen "tWitch" Boss, whom she met through their involvement as competitors and choreographers on the show. 

Allison, 36, posted her first photo from the set this season via her Instagram Story. In the mirror selfie, she threw up a peace sign and showed off her cozy-chic matching sweatsuit look, which she paired with orange Nikes. “Back on set,” she wrote over the photo while tagging the official SYTYCD account. 

On the next slide, she appeared happy to be back on the series by posting a smiling selfie. She highlighted her hair and makeup, which featured a high ponytail and pink lip, in the photo. 

The former Dancing with the Stars pro also took the opportunity to express her gratitude toward her team in helping her transition back into the show. “Grateful for my Glam team,” she added in a caption. 

Allison was announced as one of season 18’s judges in December 2023. She’ll follow in her late husband’s footsteps, as he previously appeared as a judge in seasons 15 and 17. 

The former “All-Stars” dancer will take a seat on the judging panel alongside fellow DWTS alum and first-time SYTCYD Maks Chmerkovskiy. Veteran presenter Cat Deeley will return as host.

A little more than a month after Allison was announced as a judge, she opened up on Instagram about how much she was looking forward to working on the show.

“Truly grateful .. 2024!” she wrote in the caption of a Reel featuring her doing a dance in an all-red ensemble. “SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE @danceonfox ❤️❤️ honored and blessed!! Can’t wait for you to all experience what we have been working on!!! An absolute dream to be back HOME!! 😍😍 who’s excited #sytycd.”

The Emmy-nominated choreographer’s late husband died by suicide at age 40 in December 2022. 

Since Stephen's death, Allison has spoken candidly about her grief, sharing how much it means to continue dancing and to carry on his legacy. 

The mom of three — Weslie Renae, 15, Maddox Laurel, 7, and Zaia, 3 — spoke to PEOPLE in January about how special it was to release the children’s book Keep Dancing Through: A Boss Family Groove, which she dedicated to Stephen. 

"I feel like this is such a moment for me and my family to be able to share something for all of those people that have been supporting us and loving on us and praying for us," she said of the book, which the couple began writing in 2021.

"Seeing their reactions and their faces in something that they're able to hold, and seeing their dad's face, was just such a moment that I will forever be grateful [for]," Holker added. "They were so happy."

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Season 18 of So You Think You Can Dance premieres March 4 on Fox.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.