Vanessa Hudgens joins 'So You Think You Can Dance' as judge

For a while, there was a blank as to what Vanessa Hudgens will be doing next. Her brief stint as a sitcom lead in NBC’s (not quite) DC superhero series “Powerless” came to an end with its cancellation last May 11. Furthermore, it just doesn’t seem like she and former co-star Zac Efron have any interest in coming back to reprise roles (or otherwise) for the still in planning the fourth installment of Disney’s “High School Musical.”

Well now there’s an answer: Hudgens is back to being musical.

But instead of singing, her next gig will involve dancing, as she accepts the offer of being a judge for the latest season of Fox’s dance reality competition, “So You Think You Can Dance.”

The first timer joins veteran judges

Now that ABC’s 24th season of “Dancing with the Stars” has concluded last May 23 (with Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater winning), it is Fox’s turn to step up preparations for the 17th season of their own dancing extravaganza of “So You Think You Can Dance”, which they had renewed all the way back in January.

When it comes to judges, the studio has earlier gotten the show’s co-creator and regular authority for all previous seasons Nigel Lythgoe, and Mary Murphy who has had stints in 2007-09 and 2011-14.

Completing the trio for the upcoming season is the “High School Musical” graduate.

A statement released by Lythgoe expressed his great excitement at Hudgens joining him and Murphy on the judging panel for “So You Think You Can Dance” season 14. The show co-creator mentions that there was instant chemistry between him and Murphy with the actress as a newcomer who is judging in the competition for the first time. Lythgoe says of the actress, “Vanessa is an accomplished artist and brings her own brand of enthusiasm and energy to our panel.”

Homecoming of sorts

The selection of Vanessa Hudgens to judge in the latest season of “So You Think You Can Dance” one again brings her back with Fox, which she had worked with just the year before.

That had been in the special “Grease: Live,” a live televised remake of the iconic 1978 musical film that starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The broadcast performance of the special on Jan 21, 2016, was made even more poignant for Hudgens who proceeded with her role despite her father Greg having died the day before. Her determination was admired by her cast-mates and the audience, while and the program was dedicated to her father's memory.

The 14th season of “So You Think You Can Dance” will begin on June 12 only on Fox.