America’s Best Dance Crew is going to the Ice Box: R&B singing star and former boy bander Omarion has been tapped to replace accused child rapist Shane Sparks as a judge on the upcoming fifth season of Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew.
The move comes after the choreographer was arrested on eight felony counts of suspicion of child molestation in October.
“Omarion is one of the most accomplished, multi-talented young stars of his generation. His music and music videos have influenced hip-hop dance going back to his B2k days and in more recent years as a platinum-selling solo artist,” Liz Gateley, Senior Vice President of Series Development for MTV, said in a release Thursday. “He is an accomplished dancer, artist and actor who knows what makes a good dance crew performance. We are very excited for him to join Lil Mama and JC Chasez as our third judge.”
Omarion — who was recently dumped from Lil Wayne’s Young Money set — just seems happy to have a new gig!
“I’m so excited to be a judge on MTV’s ‘America’s Best Dance Crew,’” says Omarion. “Dancing and performing is what I do and being a judge on this show will allow me to give creative feedback to the newest and hottest dancers on the rise.”
Omarion takes his seat at the judge’s table when ABDC Season 5 premieress Thursday, Jan. 28 @ 10 PM ET/PT on MTV.