DWTS Season 22 Watch-Out: Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Moceanu??
Interesting tweet below by Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Moceanu (thanks to Miss Heidi for the find). The gymnast is campaigning to dance on Dancing With The Stars. Not sure if this will pan out, but, we like to cover our bases ….especially when it comes to a Olympic gymnasts. You can read more on Dominique here.
What an incredible backstory this young lady Dominique has…. Apparently, her biological sister was born without legs and she is also an award winning acrobat gymnast. What an incredible achievement, especially since she was adopted into another family as a baby. Her name is Jennifer Bricker. Her story was just posted on my facebook page.
Dominique would be an incredible *get* for the show.
Really hoping she’s on, she’d be perfect for Derek.
Love this possibility! She seems like a really nice person too so I’m all for this.
She’s 5’3″. I say Sasha.
Sounds good! Hasn’t she been on the “wish list” for a while now along with Jodi Sweetin? Could it be that TPTB are trying to please? Or, lucky coinsidence?
I’d love, love, love to see Sasha on as a pro again. But I don’t hold out a lot of hope. I’m sure Derek, Mark, Tony and Val have guaranteed spots if they want them. I doubt Val’s kerfluffle changes that. And we haven’t heard anything that suggests that Derek, Mark or Tony are stepping out or skipping a season. So there’s probably 2 more spots. Artem was bumped last season. They seem set on making Keo happen. I personally think it more likely that he’s given a ringer than that he returns to group. Last season saw a bit of a shake up in the pro line up with Louis and Anna returning. Lindsay seemed to only get her spot after Peta withdrew. So TPTB might be looking outside for one of the guys too.
@Colleen – With regards to Lindsay, she may actually have a good chance of getting a partner again this season – especially since she had such a strong showing with Alek last season, and it seems a foregone conclusion that Allison will be out on maternity leave for season 22.
PLEASE! Pair her with my boy Mark…!!!… PLEASE…!!!…
…so Mark can have his 3rd Olympic gymnast? Sorry, been there, done that twice already. I’d rather see her go to Sasha or Artem.
Playing devil’s advocate a bit here: I agree that she shouldn’t go to Mark, but if she did, at least she would be a different “type” of Olympic gymnast than he’s had before (if that makes sense). Shawn and Aly were both teenagers fresh out of the Olympics, whereas Dominique is almost 20 years removed from her main elite career and a decade removed from her most recent comeback attempt.
I understand the reasons why she should not be paired with Mark; but let’s face it, Mark got robbed the past two seasons. Willow should not have went home when she did and Alexa was not the very best dancer, but she was so amazing and also should have been in the finals with Carlos. He deserves justice and I definately think that he deserves someone with tons and tons of experience. I will say that she would probably be perfect with Sasha because they are both almost the same height and he work tromendously with Snooki.
I’m loving the responsible speculation on the cast for next season. I’d love some thoughts on the likely pro line up. I’m all for Lindsay again. But I guess mostly, Im looking to hear that the charming and ebullient Sasha will be a pro again. I, surprisingly, adored him even with Snooki. And while he always catches my attention in troup numbers or dancing as an extra in routines, he’s done his time, proved his value and deserves a pro shot as much as Artem and more than Keo, in my opinion. Although I do understand they might have already promised Artem a spot next season after bumping him last season.
I’m wondering if TPTB know how much Sasha is admired, particularly by Derek’s fans. It would be quite smart, I think, to put Sasha in if Derek won’t be there.
CH, ya just get more and more OTT. Cool it – she’s campaigning to be on the show. This usually means you don’t get to be on the show.
Except for the 2 or 3 or 100 times that Derek said “It would be a good way to go out” after his win with Bindi. I’d call that a “suggestion” that he might be out, or at the very least hasn’t decided yet. He will go down to the wire and see what else is happening for that 3 month period.
Mark was “robbed”? No, I would NOT say that. He and Alexa had issues – she could have been a great dancer and could have gone farther. I think before the season started we all thought he had a legit shot to win – the blame for that can be shared equally between Mark and Alexa, I would say. Alexa had her head way too far up her husband’s behind (naturally, I guess) and Mark didn’t really know how to deal with that effectively. I don’t know if anyone could have, in that short a period of time.
He deserves “justice” and “someone with tons and tons of experience”? So, you don’t want him to have to work for it, you want him to be like…say…Val? Why should he get “justice” and not Sasha?? Or Tony? Both have paid dues and had worse partners than Mark has. Fact is, Mark HAS had good dancers with experience, but it just hasn’t worked out. Most of the time it’s circumstances outside his control. Sometimes it’s not. But Mark is no more deserving of “justice” or “someone with tons of experience” than any other pro on the show. They are on TELEVISION quite a few weeks a year – that’s way better than most dancers can ever expect.
The problem is Sasha’s height. He can’t really just step in for Derek because Derek’s a good bit taller than him. That makes it a bit hard. But Dominique would work. But the fact that she’s campaigning…
How many celebs that have actively and openly campaigned for a spot gotten one? I daresay it’s not many.
The only fairly recent example I can think of is Antonio Sabato Jr. – although I can’t recall if it was him so much as it was his fans. They were batsh*t and drove Heidi & I up the wall for a few seasons there…some babbling about how DWTS wouldn’t cast him because he did some weird celebrity circus show…
…but I do remember looking at Antonio & Alfonso in season 19 and thinking “Hmmm, did they finally start listening to fan campaigns?” because both had fans campaigning hard to get them on DWTS for awhile.
About how tall is Sasha? About 5’5″? I know they partnered him with Snooki but she’s exceptionally tiny. I’m just thinking that for some reason, the producers seem to be thinking his height a big impediment when there are a LOT of celebs his height and shorter. If anything, I think they have more trouble with tall celebs like Tamar and Elisabeth Berkley.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s a campaign or loose lips. ๐ But there have not been many at all – Courtney named all the ones that spring to my mind.
I don’t think Sasha’s height is an impediment, really. I was speaking to the fact that it’s not an even trade with Derek. I think the only thing preventing him being a pro is that there isn’t a spot. I’ll be very curious to see what happens when Derek bows out. Whether he has no seasons left or one…he’s either already done and hasn’t said so yet, or he decided to finish his contract (provided that it isn’t finished already). I think the best way to hold on to the Derek fans that aren’t entirely fed up with the show and are only watching until he’s gone is to put Sasha in there.
I think I’d like to see Dominique on DWTS. She seems like she’d be fun. I agree I don’t think I’d want her with Mark as he’s already had two Olympic gymnasts in the past. Same with Derek. Like others have said I think she and Sasha together might make for a good partnership if she does end up on the show. ๐
As for the Season 22 pros…I think the female lineup will consist of Peta, Witney, Sharna, Emma, Lindsay, and Karina or MAYBE Anna. If neither of the latter two want in and no ladies from the past come back it’ll most likely be Jenna. She’s been in troupe for awhile now and it seems they’re pretty much setting her up for a pro spot (plus she’s dance captain on the current tour). I do think Lindsay has a spot pretty much secured after last season. Honestly, if they are going to bump someone down I’d be more worried for Emma than her considering Lindsay almost got a spot instead of her for Season 21 and also placed higher than her that season. But I don’t know how things work in that regard. ๐
The males are a bit trickier. I feel like Artem will have a spot again this season, and I think despite the current social media drama it’s likely Val will be retained. I’m assuming Tony and Keo will be as well. Not sure about LVA because I’m pretty sure the only reason he was on last season was because Paula requested him as a pro so not sure if they plan on keeping him around. He’s been on and off a few times now.
I’m not sure if Derek or Mark will be back. At the end of last season the vibe seemed to be that Mark would be back but Derek might not be, but at this point I’m honestly not sure either way about either of them. I would hope at least one of the two stays on for this season if only so things don’t get totally taken over by the “fam” crowd, but if not or even if just one of them stays I would like to see Sasha as a pro again. Honestly, I don’t even think he should have been bumped back to troupe in the first place I was really wishing he had a spot last season because I think he would have been a great match for several of the female celebs but what’s done is done (but if they didn’t retain Artem last season there’s no way Sasha had a chance).
Dominique Moceanu would be awesome and yup Sasha would be a good partner for her. Her sister Jennifer Bricker is super talented too in gymnastics arial dance volleyball basketball and softball. Anyway, I’ve been seeing a lot about Jennifer lately and read something about how she’s like to preform on DWTS. So if they were to sign Dominique they might be able to get Jennifer to do something as well.
Hi Vogue *hugs* and all the regulars! *waves* Just doing a very quick drive-by during my regular hiatus from DWTS. Here’s another Derek fan who will most likely bail if Derek is out…unless Sasha is in!
No, Sasha is not a Derek-replacement (either in size or type–they both have their own strengths), but if I can’t have Derek but TPTB give me Sasha, I’m in. So fingers crossed Dominique is in and Sasha gets her.
Yes, that’s so. No pro is an X=Y “replacement” for other. Over even the course of a single season, you get a feel for personality and what traits and talents they bring to the process. I simply want a bigger does of the Sasha powerhouse than I get seeing him in the background.
IF Derek and/or Mark move forward and off of DWTS, I need Sasha to be a regular in the pro line up because “the Fam” clique is already almost ruining the show for me. Where some, like Tom, Derek, Mark, Sasha, Emma and Lindsay feel free from cliquishness.
((((Welcome Back))))) Cidra! It’s so good to see again and all of our regulars and newcomers!!! I’m hoping for Sasha too. Not long to go until we get a cast announcement!!
Hi everyone! Can’t believe we’re into February already!! Sheesh 2016 is going fast like 2015 did?
Hi Kelly! Great to see you again too!!!xx
Dominique would definitely be a great choice but Jennifer, her sister’s story is truly an amazing one. Would be interesting to see if one of them is chosen to do the show.
A former Olympian does seem to fit in the show’s wheel house, but the fact that she’s been retired so long probably explains the need for campaigning. I’ve seen some exchanges on Twitter between Sasha and Kacy Catanzaro (Ninja Warrior), referencing DWTS in the past. I definitely think Sasha deserves another shot (it always strikes me as a little harsh when dancers get sent back to troupe).
I saw the tour last week, and I have to say they really seemed to feature some pros more than others. Whether or not this is foreshadowing for Season 22, I don’t know. All the pros may have been in the same number of dances, but the durations and “facetime” with the crowd differed a good bit. Val, Peta, Sharna, and Artem felt more showcased to me than others. Also, I have to say that Julz really impressed me and I’d love to see him back on the show (although he’d almost have to be in the troupe).
Yeah, former Olympians seem to frequent DWTS and considering that we only had one athlete last season (who I don’t believe was an Olympian) I wouldn’t be surprised to see one in Season 22, and with the Summer Olympics coming up in a few months I bet we’ll see at least one in Season 23.
I was actually okay with Peta and Artem getting a good chunk of the spotlight on tour after their respective misfortunes last season. The Val pimpage both on tour and off is to be expected at this point. Not saying I like it, just that it’s not a surprise anymore. And with Sharna that’s maybe because she lasted the longest out of all the pros on tour during Season 21. And while I’d prefer to see a more even spread of featuring it was much more even than I was expecting.
Hi Cids! Hi Vogue! *waves*
I haven’t heard about this lady but a quick Google search and I’m in love with her smile already. And something about her reminds me of Bethany. If she’s in I’d like to see her with Sasha atm, but wouldn’t rule out Artem as well. Dang I really miss DWTS now.
Out of topic, but her having an off-season (and after eliminated early with Michael as well) really making me missing Peta and can’t wait to see her again.
Waves to Daniel! Welcome back!!!