Finally, an explanation why Mia Michaels abruptly left So You Think You Can Dance--and it isn't as sinister as a feud with Fox executives, or even worse, cancer.

"I am in a place where I have all these great opportunities that have been presented to me and I am ready to take on all these challenges," she told People magazine.  "So when I was working on the show, I wasn't able to really focus on anything else.  Now I'm really focusing on these other projects that I can't pass up.  I think that's pretty much the main reason why I left the show."

These plans include her own choreography show, a dance musical and a clothing line, as well as a possible book deal.

"It was a hard decision, actually, because I love doing [SYTYCD]," she added.  "I love being an artist that millions of people get to see my work.  I knew in that moment and we had not even talked about contracts or anything for the new season yet, so I was just ready to move while I had all this other opportunities in front of me."

Then again, it's not as if she's leaving So You Think You Can Dance altogether.  "It's not like I can't go and see the family and support the dancers," she said.  "In order for me to move forward in my career, sometimes we have to let go before other things can take off ... I'm also doing these other shows that I still get my fix on SYTYCD because I'm still choreographing, I'm still judging, I'm still seeing Nigel [Lythgoe]."

She also revealed that she'll continue working for SYTYCD shows in Canada, Australia, and the upcoming British one, which also features Nigel and host Cat Deeley.  "It's not like I need a break because creatively I feel like I have a lot to say right now," she said.  "It was just a decision that I made.  It's just something that I needed to do.  I've been doing this for a long time and this is just another step in my journey to now take it to the next level."

"Now I find myself actually more inspired and more excited about creating," she added.  "I feel like this time is so crucial for me to take that next step in my life."





- Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image courtesy of People)