DWTS Season 18: Rumor, Speculation and Wannabe Dancer Round Up!!
It’s time, once again, to take a look at the casting rumors we’ve seen for this upcoming season and rank them according to how likely they are to happen. I was thinking we really didn’t have many rumors for this season, but it turns out there’s more than I thought. But there are also a lot of people saying they would LOVE to do it, which is not the same thing as a “rumor”. And I also have NOT included who OTHER people would like to see dance – that’s not even a wannabe. Anyway, here we go….
ETA2: Lots of updates! Read our complete list below…and here’s to the Cast Announcement on Tuesday!
Actual Rumor – Plausible
Dan Cortese – why not? He’s the source of his own rumor and his hashtag still makes me think.
Bruce Jenner – Yes, he’s an Olympian, but he’s actually rumored and not just on video saying he wants to do it. And I think he’s a plausible choice. We’ll see!
Cody Simpson – Lots of rumors around this one – we’ve posted on it over and over and over. First he said he’d been asked, then he was making out like it was a done deal and now he’s back to “in talks”. But the offers have a way of disappearing when you blab so much. 🙂 Not to mention that he’s talked about it so often that I’m starting to not believe him. But it’s plausible, sure. It’s just that he’s on his way to “formerly plausible”.
Jaclyn Smith – This is one classy woman and if she says she’s been asked, then I believe she’s been asked. Just not sure she’s going to make it on the cast this season, but I would call it.
Shay Mitchell – Brant’s costar from Pretty Little Liars. A while back she and Val were talking in code, like he was trying to recruite her or something. Lord knows, DWTS goes back to the same well more than once so I could see it.
Sean Avery – A very strong rumor being Page Six doesn’t usually mess around! @DWTSgossip is also reporting that he’s dancing.
Candace Cameron Bure – Leaked by E News who is another good source for rumors.
NeNe Lekes – Same as above.
Billy Dee Williams – has been cast according to RumorFix. As you know, a lot of stuff that comes out at this late date is right on target.
Danica McKellar – has been cast according to Too Fab. Another late addition!
Formerly Plausible Rumor
Juan Pablo – The Bachelor star probably had a good shot but blew it with his homophobic comments.
Tim Tebow -Formally rumored and rumored again this season. Will this be his time?
Rumored – But Unlikely
Kelly Brook – Kelly is friends with Derek but has been on the British version of DWTS. I don’t see this happening, but I suppose it’s possible. If she had dropped out earlier than week 9, maybe. Otherwise, she rivals Davis and White as far as ringers go.
Naya Rivera – I put Naya and Cassie (below) both in the unlikely category mainly because they were rumored way back in December by a smaller magazine. Rumors that early with no followup are usually false.
Renee Zellweger – I don’t think so. This was rumored back in early December and not a peep since then. I just don’t think she’s fallen that far off the “A” list such that she’d show up on reality TV.
Tori Spelling – I put this in the unlikely category mainly because the rumor came out all the way back in late November and not a peep since then. Otherwise, I think it’s plausible and she ain’t got all that going on. Radar Online was the source and they have a decent rumor history but it’s been a while. Isn’t she plagued by husband cheating rumors though? I think that would possibly rule her out this go round.
All Talk, Likely No Action
Golnesa “GG” Gharachedaghi – Who? Anyway, I think this was likely her joking around with Cheryl Burke
Olympians/Sports Heros Who Want to Do It and Therefore Probably Could
Meryl Davis and Charlie White – they definitely want to do it, and I doubt that ABC would hesitate to ask them, unless they already had the cast set. I vote yes. 🙂
Diana Nyad – She told Katie Couric she wanted to do it. Is she on this season? Beats me.
Ray Lewis – Said to have been asked and is dancing. Hollywood Life sometimes gets it wrong and sometimes gets it right.
Olympians Who Want to Do It But Probably Won’t Be Asked
Noelle Pikus-Pace – said she would love to give it a try, but I figure since I’ve been obesessed with the Olympics and don’t know who she is that she has little shot.
The Rumor That Wasn’t
James Maslow – turns out he’s just dating Peta. 🙂 But considering he’s young and cute and reasonably unknown, it wouldn’t have surprised me if he was on.
Asked
Stuart Scott -Said to be asked to do the show, but, not sure this is true?
Russell Wilson – Asked, but, said no. However, he’s open to do the show at some other time.
The Wanna Be Dancers
Kandi Burruss – I got nuthin’.
Carla Hall – She wants to, but I don’t see it. I could be wrong.
Elisa Donovan – Some of her fans started her campaign and she picked it up from there.
Julia Mancuso – Would love to be asked to do Dancing With The Stars.
The Pro Rumors
Blake McGrath – I hope this one is just bull. Tyne is one thing, but this dude ain’t even close.
Someone from SYTYCD – it’s happened before. Just sayin’. 🙂
ETA: I Got Followed By a Person Of Interest, So I Might Be Dancing
A couple people fall into this category. First, Geoff Stults was followed by Cheryl Burke today (thanks Madeline) and he apparently returned the favor. Of course, she also followed Jason Collins of the NBA. Also curious is that Derek’s publicist (who he shares with Cheryl) just TODAY followed Meryl Davis and Charlie White – now? Why now and why not back in August when he started working with them?? More of our twitter findings HERE.
What do Vogue and Courtney think??
Vogue: Thanks for rounding the rumors up, Heidi!! I think from all the rumors, I am the most excited about Jaclyn Smith…and I’m especially excited that you put her into the “Plausible” category. She was my favorite Charlie’s Angel. I’d be overjoyed if she were to dance….and especially if they out her with Gleb. 😀
Another favorite rumor is Meryl Davis and Charlie White. That would be a dream come true as well. However, I’m not getting my hopes up especially if they decide to do Worlds. Also, what about the Olympics in 4 years? If they decide to continue on, I don’t see them risking any kind of injuries by doing shows like Dancing With The Stars.
Another fun rumor (or the rumor that wasn’t) is James Maslow. What a cool get that would be and he would be easy on the eyes, but, don’t put him with Peta. Put him with Karina!! 😀
I’m excited on the Cody Simpson rumor too. Though like Heidi (and like Court have mentioned in comments), I’m starting to think it’s all talk now, but we will see. If he’s dancing, I hope they put him with Sharna.
Kelly Brook is another fun rumor, but, I can just hear it now if she were paired with Derek. We’d never hear the end of it. Oh well, they might as well give Derek whoever since they’ll be called a ringer anyway in the end. 🙄
Court: Wow…this has got to be one of the shortest rumor round-ups we’ve seen in quite a few seasons. Have TPTB finally figured out how to keep a secret after 17 seasons??? 😛
I guess I’ve just gotten to the point where I don’t get too wound up over the celebrities themselves (unless, of course, they FINALLY ask Alfonso Ribeiro to dance 😉 ), and I seem to get more focused on the types of pairings the combination of pros & celebrities on any given season might generate. That said, I wouldn’t mind seeing Jaclyn, Meryl & Charlie, or even Golnesa on DWTS – as long as they get appropriate, compatible partners. I think I might lose my sh*t if they happened to stick Meryl with one of “The Family”, as that would be a yet another ringer on a platter…and something they’d try to deny all season. Ditto for Charlie – please, give him to anyone but Peta, who I fear would go for the lowest common denominator (aka shimmying, removal of shirts, and OTT steaminess). Golnesa? I’d love to see her with Val – for the simple reason that she’s quite the handful. Could be hilarious to watch him try to cope 😛
As funny as this sounds – I kind of hope we don’t get any cast leaks in the next week. It would actually be kind of refreshing to go into the cast announcement completely blind – wouldn’t provide much in the way of conversation fodder here at Pure, but I’m sure we can find other things to occupy ourselves with until then 😉
DWTSGossip posted a tweet from Nene Leakes where she said she tried something new today and couldn’t wait to share it (followed by an Emoji of a dancing lady).
Just wanted to say that if this, by any chance, means she’ll be on the show then that would be interesting!
Cheryl recent follow is Geoff Stults and he returned the favor. Mostly know for his role on 7th Heaven with his brother.
very little rumors but they will probably are spill out by the end of the week
I saw the Nene Leakes thing and didn’t really think that much of it. Could be.
Interesting group of people.
Cody Simpson would be a pretty cool addition and I’d hope he’d get paired with either Emma or Sharna.
Bruce Jenner – I don’t think he would actually do it because he seems like he sort of wants out of the spot light, I’d rather see Brody Jenner do it in all honesty.
Jaclyn Smith – hm.. I could see her maybe paired with Tony, if anything.
Shay Mitchell – I love her on PLL and would love to see her dance. Preferably with Derek or even Mark.
As for the Olympic skaters, I mean it could be a possibility but then again, they just came back from winning gold so I don’t know if they still have promo to do back in the States. When Aly came on in Season 16, she came on after the Fierce 5 did their 6-7 months of touring/tour. I’m not sure if that works with the figure skater olympians as well. Either way, I think they would be awesome on the show. I’d want Meryl with Derek and Charlie with Karina because I think they could be fantastic to showcase their technique. Although, because Derek worked with them previously, if Meryl were on the show, I don’t know if they would partner her up with Derek.
Either way, I’m just speculating. I’m interested to see what happens next Tuesday!
I think if they really want Meryl on the show and she really wants Derek, they’ll give her what she wants to get her. That’s what most people forget about booking celebrities. If someone has pull and they WANT someone in particular, it behooves the producers to give that person what they want.
That is definitely true and I think that she would be a great contender to be on the show after the hype of them winning gold (although I’m Canadian and wanted Tessa and Scott to win)
I just hope, like Courntey said, they wouldn’t give Charlie to Peta. I’d rather see him actually dance than have his shirt off every other dance.
As with Meryl & Charlie, Jason Collins is very current and would be a good get. This Geoff guy? Sounds pretty D-list to me – his filmography on Wikipedia reads something like this: minor role, one episode, uncredited, 3 episodes, minor role, minor role, 1 episode. If this is what we have to look forward to – yikes.
My big worry about Meryl is that Derek (being his sometimes idiotically benevolent self) would do something like “Oh, Meryl, I think you’d really have a great time working with Mark!!!” and somehow convince her to work with another pro…because he’s sometimes just THAT dumb, and generous. *shudder* I take back what I said earlier – I think my biggest fear is Meryl ending up with Mark. Val may have a crap attitude at times, but FWIW, he is a good choreographer. Mark? He seems more likely to use Meryl’s skill level to create a bunch of absurdly difficult, self-indulgent routines that showcase him more than her.
I’m fine with any female pro except Peta getting Charlie. He might be a good match for Emma or Sharna.
Geoff Stults is good friends with Josh Hopkins, who Cheryl is rumored to be dating.
If Derek publicist, who he shares with Cheryl, starting following Charlie too maybe Cheryl got him cuz duh dereks not dancing with him. Or its the kind of thing were they just go together. I remember Cheryl didnt start following jack until after they announcent of the partnerships on gma last season so I dont why she would do it before this season but who knows.
Jaclyn Smith? Now you have my attention!
Hey guys,
I am so excited for new season coming up and I stalk this website. 😀
So, just want to throw out there that Golnesa (GG) would be ratings galore. She would bring the controversy and be the female maks (celeb version).
What is interesting is Golnesa (GG) is currently in Mexico vacationing maybe trying to relax before the intense season??? (www.instagram.com/gg_golnesa)
AND…. cheryl has been hanging out with GG’s sister Layla Gara A LOT recently and with Leah Remini (working out????) . I have never seen them together before..so maybe Golnesa’s sister who is on SHAHS OF SUNSET may be on the show…. who knows??
(www.instagram.com/laylagara)
only time will tell ….
P.S. – I will miss Brooke(she gave me things to make fun of about the show lol)
In one of the interviews Meryl and Charlie did, where they said they’d actually discussed doing DWTS and Charlie said they thought it would be neat IF he could dance with Julianne and Meryl dance with Derek, when the interviewer asked Meryl she said she would rather stick with Derek so I think they should give her who she wants. I’m a huge Derek fan and think he’s the best on the show, but depending on who Charlie would end up with I am not so sure that Meryl and Derek would just automatically win. Meryl is really quiet and reserved but Charlie is a warm relatible guy not to mention , so cute !! The Derek Julianne scenario would be so perfect but I don’t think she’d ever come back so I really don’t know who’d be best with Charlie to go up against Derek and Meryl. I think Karina is too intense for him. I guess if Emma or Sharna have the choreo chops maybe one of them ? Did someone say Dereks publicist is following Meryl?
Too true, Court. Thankfully, I don’t think Derek has THAT much pull. I don’t think they’d tell him his celeb until it was a done deal and there was no wriggling out of it. And if he tried some shit like that they’d drop the hammer on him – the stand to benefit when he has an able partner. Emmy gold.
Not to mention that I think his loyalty to this show tops his need to do stupid shit. 🙂
How many times have we heard that So and So will bring ratings galore?? Only several thousand, and yet the move hardly at all. The Maks fans on twitter are still thinking that he alone can bring ratings. It just doesn’t happen. They need a good cast overall – not just one pro or one great celeb.
Yes, mimi, we’ve had this discussion on another post. And I said that the scenario Charlie describes is a VERY interesting one. I would put Charlie with Karina, intensity or not, because he has so much potential I wouldn’t want to risk it with anyone else. And yes, I think he would beat Meryl if it were just the two of them for the reasons you stated. I’m having a major crush on him myself. 🙂
Yes, Lori, I can hear it now: “NO, when we said he had to have some old lady, we meant she had to LOOK Old….and be all decrepit!! Even his old ladies are fit and beautiful!! He always gets the good dancers!!” Boooo hoooo hooo. And the goal post would move on him again, that pesky goal post. 🙂
There are a few in this group I think I would love to see on the show:
1)Jaclyn Smith: This is a AWESOME idea. My mother loves her.
2)G.G. from Shahs of Sunset: I hope this one happens.
3)Cody Simpson: He could do really well.
5)Diana Nyada: I don’t see them passing the opportunity up.
6)Dan Cortese: A cool idea.
7) Bruce Jenner: Yes it means Kardashians in the audience but I’m kinda curious to see how he would do.
And there are three I want never to see on the show:
1) Juan Pablo: Yeah I think what was said before sums it up. He is so clueless.
2)Charlie White: I know I’m probably the only person who didn’t see them win the gold medals but I watched some of it online and I like her better than him.
3)Tori Spelling: Between her husband’s cheating scandal and the fact that she is just so fake, I really don’t wanna see her on the show. She has three kids (4 kids?) that she has to look out for now so THEY should be her number one priority. Saying that it is Hollywood and nannies do exist so I’m not sure if I can write this rumor off entirely yet,
Thanks for compiling this info. It will be interesting to find out what could be true and what isn’t. Have to keep an eye out for leaks closer to the cast announcement. Of course my top wishes are Meryl and Charlie. Jaclyn Smith would be awesome! I’d love to see what Carla Hall could do. Another wish of mine is Taylor Hicks. He had some moves on Idol. Would love to see what he could do with ballroom dancing. We shall soon know. Have to wait a full week yet! Always hard to wait when it gets this close.
Dan Cortese, Jaclyn Smith, Cody Simpson, Shay Mitchell, Diana Nyad, Meryl and Charlie all sound good to me.
I’m thinking also Carla Hall, as she is on an ABC show, The Chew. ABC sure does love them some cross promotion.
I’m not seeing any NFL or NBA players as serious rumors yet. Perhaps if Meryl, Charlie and hopefully Diana are actually on the show, they figure their athlete quota is met for the season.
Meryl paired with Mark just makes me want to turn the gas on in the stove and insert my head in it. Just no, please no!
If not Derek, then put her with Henry, Val or Tristan in that order.
And now I have a new nightmare scenario in my head of Charlie with Peta. Yikes! Give him to either Sharna or Emma.
@Vlad – GG seems to go to Cabo every year, so I wouldn’t read too far into that. And I highly doubt they’d cast Leila instead of GG – Leila isn’t even one of the main cast members on Shahs of Sunset. I think Shahs is already a bit of a stretch for DWTS’ main viewing demographic, so if they were to cast someone from that show, it would HAVE to be one of the main cast. I also wouldn’t read too far into Cheryl hanging out with Leila – she’s friends with GG, and maybe just befriended Leila as well. It’s Beverly Hills – eventually, everybody hangs out with everybody.
To be honest, other than Meryl, Charlie and Jaclyn, I’m not too thrilled with the rumors. Tuesday will be interesting.
I think you’re right Heidi. If Meryl is paired with Derek, Charlie would need Karina and actually he’s such a cutie, sweetheart like Derek (fangirrling, bigtime–really into blondes these daze LOL!)it would soften Karina’s “edginess” I think. I so wish this would happen because the rest of who I’m hearing just bores me. And if they are trying to save money by adding, UGH, Erin. I can just hear her now with her snarky asides–do you think they are so delusional they think they can get people familiar with her and then boot Tom too?
All I can say is they better put Derek with somebody young, hot if they want to get and keep some younger viewers and capable enough to do good choreography for the somewhat older ones. Derek has now fulfilled all the requirements of the whiners. He’s had older, somewhat infirm, somewhat overweight partners so now they need to give him able partners so we can at least see one pairing each season with enthusiasm,good dancing and good attitude to watch. Use all that Emmy talent!! Oh, also enjoyed the Sasha, Snookie partnering too but really wish they would get away from the reality “stars”. I mean, Bruce Jenner, Nene(or whatever her name is) ! Just NO !!
I’m not sure where everyone got the notion that hiring Erin was a money-saving measure – I highly doubt they’re getting a bargain for her. Honestly, I think that was more an attempt to attract a different audience – both younger and perhaps some sports fans. And mimi, I think it’s a pretty big jump to assume that they’re going to boot Tom eventually, too – why would they send an Emmy award-winning host packing??? Yes, the show is going through some ridiculous changes…but let’s try to remain logical.
I guess I jumped to the money saving because many people thought Brooke was unnecessary(I’m not among them) so why bring in anyone else if they are cutting costs? Maybe the sports aspect, but do many people flock to Erin Andrews for that? And I agree they should never lose Tom-but who knows how they think, based on some of the choices they make. I just hope they do enough right to keep the show from getting cancelled cause that would be a huge loss to so many people who love it.
You know something, I can see this happening…!!!… Dan Cortese w/ Kym Johnson…!!!… What do you guys think…!!!???!!!…
CH, you’d probably get taken a lot more seriously if you didn’t punctuate everything with a superfluous amount of ellipsis, exclamation points, and question marks.
That said – I’m dubious about Kym’s return. Dan seems like a Cheryl or Sharna partner to me.
This is what I tried to make clear yesterday, Courtney. People are ASSUMING that Brooke was a cost saving measure – that assumption could be way wrong. And probably is way wrong, since I can’t imagine that Erin is less expensive than Brooke. On the contrary.
Agreed – I could see Harold and Co. getting the axe being a cost-saving measure (as they now have a much smaller band), but Brooke vs. Erin seems like a pretty even swap to me, salary-wise…heck, Erin might even be able to command a bit of a bigger fee, given that she has more of a broadcasting background than Brooke. If they really wanted to save money, they wouldn’t have even bothered to replace Brooke.
I think we almost all assumed when we first heard that Brooke was being fired that it was a cost saving measure and she wouldn’t be replaced. It never once crossed my mind that they would be bringing in a new co-host since she had nothing to do last season. Wrong assumption, lol.
I hope it’s okay if I add a few… food for thought.
Also rumored to HAVE BEEN ASKED to join the cast, via Hollywood Life:
Sharon Osbourne – Her son and daughter have both danced.
Cody Simpson – Teen star
Bachelor Juan Pablo Galavis – Homophobe, extraordinaire. Would they really cast this guy?
Carla Hall, co-host on The Chew.
Tim Tebow – Retired from football after The Patriots dumped him.
Stuart Scott, ESPN analyst
Ray Lewis, retired Baltimore Raven.
Bruce Jenner – Olympic star and House Husband (Married to Kris Kardashian)
Via E News… 🙂
Plenty if Naya Rivera fans tweeting that she may have left Glee and perhaps joined DWTS.
I presume it’s just speculation, though. They’ve already (kinda) got a Glee alum in Nene.
I agree with you guys that is might not have been a cost cutting move. I personally think it was to create buzz for the show and it has been working since a lot of people been talking about it.
Quick question, was firing Brooke something that has been planned b/c they were able to get Erin so quick. Usually that takes weeks of negotiations between networks.
Someone just in the Winter Olympics makes sense and Olympians have been, overall, good contestants.
FYI, Geoff Stults is good friends with Josh Hopkins, whom Cheryl is linked with. So I think that’s the only reason she’s followed him.
Can we have no more Bachelor or Bachelorette contestants on the show, PLEASE? PRETTY PLEASE? ugh.
@Courtney: It is true that Layla might be a stretch, actually she is a stretch. Her story would fit perfectly though. Single mom with 2 kids recently divorced (maybe I just want her on the show lol). 😀
I do think GG would bring in a younger audience (be it limited or not). She’d probably fight with the judges, her partner, Tom, even the camera-man, allowing for some good media articles that would probably spike up viewer count. I think I just really want to see her on the show too. :X
However, I think DWTS is trying to get away from negative “experiences” for viewers, and trying to make it a positive mental experience.
Also, I do not think Erin Andrews was a cost cutting measure. While Erin will probably ask awesome questions and have witty responses and Brooke was sort of in “her own little world half of the time,” I still don’t agree with kicking out Brooke.
**Idea for producers: Maybe it would be cool if they switched back and forth with Erin and Brooke. Erin as co-host during Spring seasons and Brooke during the Fall airing of the show. Similar to that of The Voice with recycling judges (even though Cee Lo’s out). I don’t think any other show does that (with co-hosts) to my knowledge.
Also, I am wondering why they chose Erin? Do you think #DWTS is trying to bring in someone to mimic the hosting duo of Tess Daley (Erin does seem more similar to her than Brooke) and Sir Bruce Forsyth?
Sorry for the lengthy post!
Posting here b/c my comment didn’t seem to make it on the Pro Watch page. Witney’s mother, @tropicaljilly, is following Cody Simpson on twitter. Wonder if it means anything?
Because I’m not on twitter I appreciate the bloggers and posters on this site letting me know who is following who on twitter. Thanks!
I’m wondering if Erin had to go through the same process of an audition that Brooke and non-pick Melissa went through in order to get the job?
She will defiantly be easier and looser on camera than Brooke. I’ll give her a few episodes before I decide whether I like her as co-host or not. I’m still confused as to why they even need a co-host anymore.
I have no idea who this GG person is.
@Daphne – Based on that, I don’t think you can safely draw the conclusion that Witney got upgraded to pro and paired with Cody. I think the trap a lot of people fall into in the weeks leading up to the cast announcement is seeing what they want to see – as in interpreting mere coincidences as something more. Is it possible that Cody got cast? Sure. But it’s also possible that Witney’s mom is following Cody because she has younger siblings that are fans of Cody’s and she’s been following him since before he even became a casting rumor. I’m sure we’re going to get bombarded by comments in the next few days from readers observing Twitter followers – “OMG!!! Charlie White is following Peta!!! MAYBE THEY’RE PAIRED TOGETHER!!!” “OH NO!!! NeNe is following Cheryl, who shares a publicist with Derek…ugh she totally got paired with Derek!!!” The thing is, the casting directors have wisened up quite a bit over the years – after a certain casting director ended up following the ENTIRE cast of season 11 on Twitter right before the cast announcement (and some of us were savvy enough to notice), they’ve become a lot more careful – I’d venture a guess that the cast has been given explicit instructions about following on Twitter/Instagram, friending on Facebook, and generally just keeping quiet about their partnerships until after the cast announcement. Of course, there are slipups from time to time – i.e. Derek/Cheryl’s publicist following both Amber & Jack a few days before the cast announcement last season. Generally, I’d say that a follow is only significant if it happened recently – maybe within the last week or so – and if it’s someone that the pro/celeb would have little likelihood of associating with unless they were doing DWTS. Keep in mind, a lot of celebs doing DWTS were fans beforehand – and probably followed some of the pros beforehand. It’s not an exact science – not as easy as “So-and-so is following [insert pro here], so clearly they must be doing DWTS and [insert pro here] is their partner!!! Yay logic!!!”
Meryl and Charlie, have regular ballroom instruction, with someone other than Derek, Meryl mentioned it in one of her interviews. I cannot imagine how they would be allowed to compete, although I can imagine producers pretending this is not happening.
@irina – Please find me the official written rule where it states that anyone that’s had ballroom instruction cannot participate in DWTS. Here’s a hint: there isn’t one. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to have several former contestants on the show – Donny Osmond & Jennifer Grey included.
Shay Mitchell answered a fans question saying she would be in london next week so I doubt shes on this season.Also pll starts shooting the first half of season five in march and shes one of the four leads so I dont think she would have the time to do the show anyways.
Hey I wasn’t able to read all the posts, but has anyone heard anything about Dylan Sprouse or Cole Sprouse as a potential celeb on the show? They would be perfect for the show, if they take a semester off NYU.
I agree with Irina. I watched the ice dancing competition and Meryl and Charlie were just awesome, I am so glad that they won the gold medal. However, because of their obvious training in dance and artistry, I just do not think that they would be appropriate for a show such as DWTS. Donny Osmond, Jennifer Grey, Corbin Bleu just do not have the level of training and background like Meryl and Charlie, not even close. I could really see Meryl and Charlie and their pro partners receiving 9’s and 10’s every week. If ABC wants to increase ratings I am not sure that this would be the right direction to go because everyone would just assume that Meryl and Charlie are shoo ins for the finals and that element of excitement and pulling for the underdog would not be there. I have followed figure skating for years and I really like Meryl and Charlie, but not for this show, maybe a reality show like the Amazing Race.
Nothing about those two, Vlad.
@Olivia – Some might argue that having current Olympic gold medalists on DWTS would actually DRAW viewers to the show – the same was true of Evan Lysacek in season 10. On top of that, they could also spin the “Meryl & Charlie have danced together their entire lives – now watch them compete against one another!” angle. They show needs draws like that, if they want any sort of longevity; and I don’t really think TPTB care whether someone has dance experience or not. They want to put on an entertaining show, and if that means asking current Olympic gold medalists that MIGHT have some ballroom experience? So be it. I really don’t think DWTS would be the cake walk for Meryl & Charlie that some of you are playing it up to be – they’ve only ever danced with each other. They’re each familiar with the way the other moves – it’s not as though it would be the same seamless movement with someone else. You’re entitled to your opinion – but I just don’t see the sense in getting all bent out of shape about someone’s dance background. The show needs ringers just like it needs crummy dancers – there’s a place for everyone.
Adding to the ringer discussion, this show is mostly a popularity contest. Look at last season both Christina Milian and Elizabeth Berkley had previous dance experience and could be called ringers but they got voted off weeks 9 and 6 were Jack Osbourne and Bill Engavill both had no dance backgrounds and werent nearly as good of dancers but made it to the finals. If Meryl and Charlie were to do the show there not guarnteed a spot in the finals or one of them a win just because there good dancers. They have to get the votes. but they both are popular athletes fresh off gold and seem likeable so I dont think that would be a problem for them.
Also, they know Foxtrot/Quickstep/Tango (aka Ballroom hold), but I could see latin dances being a challenge for Meryl especially as she seems more quiet and proper. Even if they did know all the 10 dances, there are some viewers that like good dancing and this would satisfy those people, and there are others that want to see the improvement arc. Either way, they probably have to try to get both to be a good well rounded show since there are no set rules to casting.
Courtney is right! After Evan Lysacek won his Olympic gold in 2010, I started watching DWTS on a regular basis. I was rooting hard for him and Anna in S10! I thought they had it in the BAG after Nicole fell on her freestyle routine. C’est la vie. But I will say…that freestyle of Derek’s DID make me notice HIM and I became HIS fan 😉
Wow i just googled NeNe Leakes and she is 5’10” tall. I would think she would have to be paired with either Maks or Tony and I didn’t realize Candace Cameron was only 5’2″ tall.
Blake McGrath isn’t even a ballroom dancer. He’s a contemporary dancer. There’s no reason why he should be a pro on DWTS.
Duh, Sarah. That’s also exactly what we said about Tyne, and we know what happened there, don’t we?
I love these threads…we’ll know soon enough – would love to go to the live taping but can’t get my head around arriving at the studio at 2.30AM….
And if there is a goddess of the mirror ball, please no Ray Lewis.
Meryl and Charlie have had ballroom instruction but I don’t think it’s a regular part of their training. The majority of their training is either on the ice or off ice conditioning. The ballroom comes into play when they are choreographing a new routine so it is only learned for that particular routine. As an example, Derek was only with them last Summer during the choreography phase of their Short Dance. That process is typically only a week or 2 with the Coach supplementing the rest of the program.
I said this in another post but I think this will come down to personality not skill. Though I completely agree with Courtney’s post. I think Meryl will end up resonating more with viewers. Charlie is a nice guy but he comes off as very cocky sometimes. I’ve met them both a few times at skating competitions and this last time around in Boston, Meryl and Charlie showed up 90 minutes late for a fan meet/greet. Charlie was then rushing fans right through the line. Also, if his fiancee, Olympic Silver Medalist Tanith Belbin is visible in the audience which I suspect she may be, that may also detract support away from him and the whole Meryl vs Charlie storyline. Part of the appeal of Meryl and Charlie is that fans either think they are or hope that they will become a real couple.
My point is that even though I’m sure they are both talented dancers, I think they will have just as many challenges getting votes as everyone else on the cast.
On another note, I’d love to see Charlie interact with Candace Cameron Bure. His dog is named after her Full House character! 🙂
I don’t think The presence of Tanith Belbin would matter at all. Figure skating fans know that Meryl and Charlie will never be a romantic couple. Charlie said in an interview they both have significant others. So, that is just the way it is and fans know it.
I would love to see Dan Cortese with Cheryl. They would have a blast together.
I’m predicting Billy Dee Williams with Peta.
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I disagree Lois. Never say never:) And the bigger issue is that in order to win on DWTS, Charlie needs votes from non-figure skating fans. They come off as a real couple to those who don’t seriously follow skating. It’s part of their overall brand image for sponsorships and such. Otherwise IMG would have had Charlie and Tanith announce their engagement months ago.