PureDWTS Season 26 – Who Would You Like to See on DWTS Junior? Court Picks Pros & Celebs
So we’re still over 6 months away from the premiere of Dancing with the Stars Junior next spring, but given that any show with minors seems to take quite a bit more planning, I’m guessing the casting directors are already wheeling & dealing on who they want on the show – after all, they’re not just casting potential celebs, but pros too…and apparently a host, as well, as Tom has said he will not be hosting the spinoff. Alfonso, you still lurking around set? 😉 We need a host, bruh. My gut’s still telling me that Maks will somehow land on the judging panel, and I guess I can only hope that being a father himself with have softened him a bit…I don’t think I could bear a whole season of him being as big a jerk as he was guest judging switch week on DWTS. And to kids, no less 😯
I had mixed feelings upon hearing about the spinoff – and if I’m being honest, my feelings are still pretty mixed – but at the very least, I think having a brand new set of pros, judges, and celebs (and perhaps a bit of a new format, to accommodate the unique nature of casting kids) might give me a bit of a reprieve from the manipulative grind of the regular DWTS. And the fact that all of the pros are gonna be brand new? Makes it hard for producers to play favorites 🙂 But I do worry about seeing young kids face rejection on national television, especially after seeing young kids cut on World of Dance this summer…I just hope the producers know they have to handle them far more gently than they do the adults on DWTS.
So all that being said – who do I want to see as pros and celebs on the show? Well, given that they haven’t really specified what the age range will be, I am gonna guess that anyone under the age of 18 is probably going to be eligible to be a pro or a celeb partner – similar to the competitive ballroom world, where 18 is more or less the cutoff for dancing in the youth division, and then they make you just start doing adult amateur events. Yes, I’m aware that Willow Shields was only 14 when she did the regular version of the show – but if we cut it off at 14, we actually lose some potentially good pro and celeb choices, and I don’t think the show is going to be able to afford to be THAT picky. So 18’s my cut-off, and all of my picks won’t turn 18 during the airing of the show, either. I was also realistic – I doubt we’re gonna see the children/siblings of any huge, A-list celebs on DWTSJ. So yeah – no Jolie-Pitts and the like on this list. I listed celebrity children that I think the show actually stands a chance of possibly getting.
I find myself caring more about the pros than the celebrity contestants (although there’s two celebs that I’ve already picked out pro partners for… 😉 ), but I had a good time compiling this list nonetheless. Let me know what you think 😉
Court’s pro picks:
D’Angelo Castro: He’s 16, from Miami, and already has quite a bit of TV dancing experience, on top of competition ballroom experience. He and his partner Amanda (more on her later) won Live to Dance (Paula Abdul’s one-and-done dance competition series on CBS) in 2011; he’s been a repeat finalist on America’s Got Talent (6th place in 2012 with The Untouchables, made the top 12 in 2013 with Amanda); and he and Amanda most recently made it to the top 8 of the junior division on World of Dance – more details in the profile I created for them over at PureWOD. He & Amanda are currently the #4 Junior Latin couple in the country, and consistently place in the top 10 in their division at competitions.
Amanda Carbajales: Also 16, she’s from Miami as well and she’s D’Angelo’s partner – so everything in his bio above also applies to her, and additionally, she was a contestant on season 1 of Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition back in 2012, and came in 4th place.
Behold, as they dance a paso doble on WOD as Derek looks on…
Ruby Castro: She’s 13, from (you guessed it) Miami, and she’s D’Angelo’s younger sister. Like him, she’s been a finalist more than once on America’s Got Talent – she also danced with The Untouchables back in 2012, and she and her partner Jonas competed against D’Angelo and Amanda and made it to the quarterfinals in 2013. Additionally, she came in 6th on So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation last summer, where she was paired with all-star Paul Karmiryan. She and Jonas, like D’Angelo & Amanda, have also had a pretty successful competition career, and recently won the Junior II Latin Championship at Millennium Dancesport.
Watch Ruby & Paul samba…
Jonas Terleckas: He’s 14, originally from Lithuania, but now lives in…say it with me…Miami 🙂 He’s been competing with Ruby for five years now, and they were on AGT together in 2013. They’re currently ranked #7 nationally in the junior Latin division.
Watch Ruby & Jonas jive…dats niiiiice.
Why I think casting these four is a good thing: They’re basically a Ballas-Hough reboot, plus a bonus person 🙂 You’ve got a set of siblings, a la Julianne & Derek, and their competition partners (Mark and…Aneta, was it?) All four have been cross-trained in multiple styles (check out D’Angelo’s Instagram for videos of him giving me some serious Derek vibes doing contemporary), D’Angelo & Ruby’s dad and the owner of their studio, Manny, is basically a Chilean version of Corky Ballas, and their mom, Lory, is Shirley Ballas with a bit of Miami flavor. Did I mention they’ve actually trained with Shirley, too? 🙂 Plus they’d be the first Latino pros this show has seen since Fabian Sanchez, I think.
Rylee Arnold: She’s 12, she’s from Provo, UT, and she’s Lindsay’s little sister. She just started dancing with a newp partner this year, so they haven’t done a ton of competitions yet…but she seemed pretty successful with her old one, consistently placing in the finals of her division.
Watch her practicing with her partner…my god, is she adorable…
Why I think casting her is a good idea: I think the sibling connection will likely draw some viewers from regular DWTS, eager to see if the littlest Arnold is anything like her big sis. She’s also part of the VIBE crew, so she’s been cross-trained in multiple styles.
Kid celeb picks (children/siblings of previous contestants):
Robert Irwin: He’s 13, he’s season 21’s champ Bindi Irwin’s younger brother, and he, like her, is an animal conservationist. He also seems to have inherited Bindi’s irresistible charm and relentlessly positive outlook on life, so I think he’d quickly endear himself to viewers and would probably have the work ethic to do well on the show. I think he and Ruby would make a fantastic partnership.
Watch him being adorable with some animals on Jimmy Fallon…
Maksim Bure: He’s 15, he’s season 18 contestant Candace Cameron-Bure’s youngest son, and he’s apparently a pretty good hockey player like his dad. I just remember all of Candace’s kids coming across as so well-mannered and happy when they showed them in her rehearsal packages. I just hope he doesn’t share mom’s tendency towards stage fright…
Here’s a video from a couple years back that he filmed with his sister, Natasha:
Coco Arquette: She’s 13, she’s season 13 contestant David Arquette’s daughter, and she’s a budding actress herself. I loved seeing her all giggly and excited in the audience when her dad was on the show, and it seems she’s grown up to be a lovely young lady.
Here she is in the music video for Monogem’s “Wild”:
Briahna Fatone: She’s 16, and she’s season 4 runner-up Joey Fatone’s oldest daughter. If she’s anything like her dad, I think she’ll take to the show with ease – and I get the feeling Papa Fat One would love to cheer her on from the audience 😛
Watch Joey giving her a hard time on Periscope…
Children of celebs (that haven’t been on the show):
Kaia Gerber: She’s 15, she’s Cindy Crawford’s daughter, and she’s following in mom’s footsteps as a model. I just think she’s stunning, and would love to see if she’s got any skills on the dance floor.
Lola Consuelos: She’s 16, her mom is TV host Kelly Ripa, her dad is actor Mark Consuelos. Since we’ve never gotten Kelly or Mark on the show…why not Lola? 🙂
Child stars:
Aubrey Anderson Emmons: She’s 10, and plays Lily on Modern Family. My only concern is that she’s awfully young – but she seems pretty mature and precocious for her age, so there’s that. Being part of the ABC family would likely help her chances of getting on the show.
Miles Brown: He’s 12, he plays Jack Johnson on Black-ish, and (ringer alert!) he’s also dabbled in some dancing, as he was on America’s Got Talent several years ago as part of hip-hop act Future Funk. I just think he’s adorable, and I’m not sure being a ringer is going to be as big an advantage on DWTSJ as it is for the adults on DWTS. I think he’d be a stellar partner for Rylee. Below is him today – and below that is him 7 years ago on AGT. I melt!!!
So those are my picks…what are yours? And what are your overall thoughts on DWTSJ?
Definitely agree on Bindi’s brother. I think he’d do pretty well if he’s anything like his sister. I would actually prefer to see Candace’s daughter Natasha over Maksim. She was on The Voice a while back, so she’s already kinda known and not completely new to any of this.
@Sarah – I thought of Natasha, but she’s already 18. She’ll be 19 next month – a tad old for a show that’s billing itself as the “junior” version of DWTS, IMO.
If Ruby Castro isn’t one of the kid pros, this show will be dead to me. Her routines with Paul K. on SYTYCD: Next Gen were some of the few saving graces that show had.
As for kid celebs or kids of celebs to be in the actual cast, I think Andi Mack’s Peyton Elizabeth Lee would be a good choice.
They have to come up with some kid athletes (it wouldn’t be DWTS adjacent without them!) so I’ll throw out two names I can think of, 13 year old Brighton Zeuner who just became the youngest X Games gold medal winner ever as a skateboarder and 11 year old, Chayni Chamberlain who competes against the adults and wins in Women’s Barrel Racing since she was 9…
Wow! I didn’t think I get could excited on this, but, Court, I think you might have just changed everything for me. I’d love to see Bindi’s brother dance. Kelly Ripa’s daughter would be a cool choice too. I just found some child actors at this link who look intrigueing like Max Charkes, David Mazouz, and Skai Jackson (Disney channel star): http://www.imdb.com/list/ls031231015/ I don’t know, but, this is getting me excited suddenly.
Vogue, I love the idea of David Mazouz! He’s great on Gotham. Robert Irwin would also be great, the world is already in love with him. I think one of the kids from Big Little Lies would also be a good fit.
I wasn’t considering being excited about this show before, but now I kinda am.
Y’know, it’s funny you & Vogue would say that, Cari – I wasn’t all that jazzed about the show initially, but once I sat down and started thinking about who I’d like to see on it (particularly the pros)…I got really excited. I almost think the fact that it’s just a completely clean, fresh slate to start from is refreshing, given how stagnant DWTS has become. There won’t be Fam-vs-Ballas/Hough politics coming into play, heavy-handed manipulation to get a certain pro an MBT, really shamelessly-edited packages – since it’s a new show, there won’t be the need for any of that. And that’s renewed my interest 🙂
I just realized that the kids from Stranger Things wwould work for this! I’d love to see one of them do the show!
I admire your positive attitude, but I don’t feel the same way about a DWTS Junior. I have no interest at all in the concept- especially if ABC is at the helm. Factor Maks into the equation.. Well, I suppose he needs to be in the limelight somehow, doesn’t he? If the intent is to draw the current DWTS viewers into the new show, I think there are many that have been so turned off by the manipulation and glorification of Precious that they will not be interested. Why suffer through more of Maks? Why suffer through more of ABC’s misdirection?
it depends on the cast for me whether or not i will watch it. one of the things that is stearing me away from dwts junior is that tom is not hosting
I would guess that this would be a good chance to get one of the descendents actors on the show or maybe someone from girl meets world or that other show on nickelodeon with the ghost family that was on for awhile.
I think I mentioned this a while back but there’s a new hit Disney show called Andi Mack. I don’t watch it but I know two or three of the stars of the show attended DWTS last season as special guests. I remember looking them up and the two main female characters (I think both were 12 years old) each had a truckload of dance experience in their backgrounds. So I’d put money right now on at least one if not two of the stars from that show being cast. They fit the bill perfectly.
I can’t comment on the junior pros…haven’t watched them enough to have an opinion, so they would all be new to me.
Yes, to Robert Irwin..the young man is infectious with enthusiasm, like his sister,and his late dad. Too bad little AJ Ribeiro is too young. He was beyond adorable. Kristi Yamaguchi has some daughters that might like to see if they can follow in Mom’s footprints and win a MBT.
I’m in agreement with one of the other posters. Can’t see myself being interested if they make Maks a judge. Had quite enough of him, and the fam.
Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger Things!
I definitely fall in the camp that was pretty much not enthused at all with the idea of DWTSJR. I think at first I was mad with it replacing the spring season of DWTS because even though I hate the manipulation of DWTS and the constant fighting it’s something that I have watched for so long that it’s a habit I can’t seem to break. But after reading this post I’m honestly pretty jazzed. Amanda, D’Angleo, and Ruby would all be great pros and I have already fallen in love with Amanda and D’Angelo just from their brief appearance on WOD.
Another reason I think I was so doubtful was trying to figure out what the age range would be since DWTS has gone as young as 14/15 with stars by having Willow and Hayes on in seasons past. Typically it seems like every season there is at least one person that is between 16-20 and sometimes a little younger in cases like Hayes and Willow. So it almost seems like they will be dipping a little into the talent pool for DWTS by casting DWTSJR and at first I thought there wasn’t as many potential child stars (or children of actors) to chose from. I know Robert has been a popular name thrown out there and I honestly would be shocked if he’s not on then there is a lot of kid actors that they can nab from other ABC shows as well as Disney programs. And as other posters have said various previous competitors on DWTS have kids that would fit within what we are thinking is the JR age range. I would love to see one of Candace’s kids or Kristi’s on the show. It’s weird how a few months ago I was so skeptical but now I’m excited at the idea. Even if Maks is on the judging panel I’m still excited, it seems to me that fatherhood has mellowed him a little not a lot but enough to where I don’t constantly eye roll at him like I did back in his early days. Now if Val is involved I might have a harder time, but I guess we’ll cross that bridge when it gets here. My only question is who they will get to host since Tom has flat out said he’s not doing it, Erin couldn’t carry even a JR version of DWTS herself her and Tom are a good team but apart no. I think Alfonso would be a good fit he’s got charisma, he’s co-hosted the show before, etc.
I thought of the Stranger Things kids, but two things give me pause: one, I think they may actually be a bit too big (as in famous) now – and may only get bigger once season 2 premieres in October. The other is that I’m not sure how the politics of rival networks would shake out between ABC and Netflix – my memory is a bit rusty as of late, but I don’t think we really have a precedent set for a star from a series on a streaming service doing DWTS. I’m not really sure if ABC considers Netflix a rival or not – I would argue that any service that is potentially drawing viewers away from watching live TV could be considered a “rival”. But who knows – streaming services are a relatively new issue for the regular networks to contend with, so I’m not quite sure what effect they’d have on casting a show like DWTS.
August Maturo– I think he’s 9 or 10 he played
‘Auggie Matthews’ on Disney’s Girl Meets World
Kennedy Walsh She’s a 15 year old model with Down Syndrome
Don’t really know any of the younger dancers but like the little Arnold. Also didn’t think about the kids from andi mack but that shows cute same creator as Lizzie McGuire. Any of the lead actresses or actor would be good. The descendants stars I think are all too old they’d need to go to original DWTS. So here’s a few mostly girls.
Robert Irwin ( this seem inevitable)
Rosie Grace McClelland age 11 (probably know her from Ellen she makes YouTube videos, she’s really cute and would be fun I think )
Keirnan Shipka 17 ( could go to the regular DWTS. actress from mad men)
Rowan Blanchard 15 (girl meets world )
Skai Jackson 15 ( Jessie)
Logan gelleuf 15( chef master chef junior )
Sasha Obama 16 ( unlikely but since I’ll never have Michelle)
MattyB 14 ( YouTube MattyB raps)
Chloe lukasiak 16 ( dance moms, okay I know trained dancer, probably a ringer but I think she’d be a lot of fun and she’s not a brat like the rest of those girls.)
Not sure how this show will go if they cast well could be good but I think the casting will be hard. Also like all courts suggestions wouldn’t mind any of them.
I really like your choices, Courtney, and thank you for giving us a peek of them in videos and pics. I was excited when they first announced a DWTSjr show in the Spring 2018. I always felt that DWTS should have a teenager and younger age group show of DWTS for them to compete (without adults) It will be so entertaining to see young talents dancing.
I’ll have to have some time to come up with some suggestions.
Quick question – is there a minimum age for contestants and pros on this show? If not, should there be?
I don’t know how young/old the kid pros would have to be for the show, but Jenna Johnson’s little niece Hailey Bills is also a cross trained dancer. She trained at Prodigy Dance in Texas where Jenna trained for a while, but now trains at Center Stage in Utah where Derek, Julianne, Chelsie trained. But she is only 11 so she may be too young to partner with anyone.
Also throwing out the name Brightyn Brems, who is 11. She is cross trained and goes to Center Stage in Utah. I heard that she is friends with Rylee Arnold. She has competed in Blackpool but have not heard much on her rankings there.
Jake Monreal, Jenna’s SYTYCD partner. He’s 13, but EXTREMELY short and tiny. He’s trained in all styles as well and trains at Ruby and D’Angelo’s studio with their dad. He’s a cutie and such a flirt.
@Lea – All that has really been officially said about DWTSJ is that it’s taking the place of the spring season of regular DWTS, Tom is not hosting, and both the pros and stars are going to be kids. Literally no specifications have been made beyond that 😛 But if it were me, I’d say 7-8 as the lower end – I’ve seen kids that age fare pretty well in competition, and they’re usually disciplined enough to pay attention. But I think those running DWTSJ will likely have to take each kid on a case-by-case basis – I think 4/5-year-old AJ Ribeiro might actually fare better than some of the older celebrity children I’ve seen 😛
Bella Robertson-Sadie’s little sister. She is 14 soon to be 15.
Auli’i Cravalho, age 16. Disney tie in. Age 16.
This was really a great read and I really enjoyed getting to know some dancers too. I remember Ruby. I watched her audition for SYTYCD and her dad was seating down doing the routine right along with her-reminded me if Ray Sharky in The Idol-maker. I liked Lindsey’s sister too.
It’s a very interesting concept for sure and love your choices for contestants too. This just made me interested.
Great job Courtney!! 🙂
Now I almost wish Derek was judging and mentoring on this show instead of World of Dance. Man he’d be great on here. I’m more of a ballroom fan than the other forms of dance anyway-lol It’s just something so elegant and special about it. He and Jonathan made love it!! 🙂
Can we get Tony at the judge’s table instead of Maks? I know he’s still wanting to be back in the fold and Tony mentioned an interest in judging even when he was still competing on DWTS.
Honestly after reading this post, I’m more excited to see DWTSJunior than the regular show.
I have major viewer fatigue for the adult version.
I do wonder, if the show is a hit and has multiple years on air, do they replace the pro dancers as they age? I’m curious if their’s an age limit for that.
Another thought on the judges panel – Have Len, Carrie Ann and Bruno said no deal on DWTS JR? I know Len’s big salary made the news. I imagine it was based on a certain # of episodes per year. So he’s possibly obligated. Julianne on the other hand sometimes doesn’t seem to know if she’s returning or not. So she might be on a season by season basis. Wonder what kind of contract Bruno and CAI have.
On another note, I found it very interesting that Carrie Ann said something about continuing to host daytime TV in her recent interview. Soooooooo, do you think she has a deal in the works for a talk show or is she trying to get one? Makes sense since she’s considerably younger than Len and Bruno. Like the pros, she has to be thinking about her career after DWTS.
I wonder if they would consider Kym Johnson for a judge or host role … she did a great job on the aussie version and was a fun fill in for Erin in a moments notice.
I think this show was really, truly made with Bindi’s little brother (and her mother’s wishes) in mind, so it will be great to see the Irwin family lighting up our screens again. Other than that it will likely be whatever kids are on Disney Channel right now, or children of former Disney/ABC stars. I don’t see Disney letting too many randoes inside the ride that is their lateral branding machine.
Some folks considered the possibility of Stranger Things cast members on DWTS. This might not be impossible, even though Stranger Things and Netflix are not Disney-owned or affiliated. The production company behind Stranger Things has done work on some ABC shows. I think Netflix is viewed by Disney as an independent ally/necessary evil at this time.
What Shawn(comment #3) said! Would love to see Ruby!!
I’m not sure if I am interested in seeing a juniors version of DWTS. I’ll have to watch the first episode.
Ridiculous pipe dream, I know, but would love to see Malia Obama now that her dad’s not the president any more
I would love to Maddie Ziegler with Mark and JoJo Siwa with Artem or Val
The pros are going to be kids too, CH. So no Artem or Val.
And Maddie Ziegler is a professional dancer. She’d be more likely to get a pro spot than one as a celeb…
Will definitely watch if the Castro siblings are pros.
I’m not sure I trust ABC with children. Imagine the week where they need to cry on camera to show their true and deep emotions. I don’t like it when they do it with adults. I didn’t realize they were skipping Spring DWTS – that is a big salary cut for our pro’s and the troupe. Why don’t they just give Robert Irwin his own nature related show on Disney? I love that young man.
So this is really going to be a thing? I’m with Gunny. I’m really not interested in a kids competition show. If kids want to do it, then great, but I sense the drama will be too irresistable not to film. There will be crying, and too much stage moms intervention, and desperation for my taste. I never watched SYTYCD for the kids show, and I heard ratings were really bad because it just didn’t grab people. Now I realize that since SYTYCD doesn’t have the ratings of DWTS, it will be totally different, maybe, but the reason DWTS is so successful is you get a mix of people needing attention and those who require a career change. When one or two kids are on DWTS competing against adults there is an effort to protect them, but competing against each other, I fear the gloves will come off. No I shouldn’t pre-judge, but I just think an entire show of children is for a niche audience.
I understand that it’s not realistic to see children of A-listers, but that kind of makes the show less appealing for me
I have a feeling that anybody on a Netflix exclusive will never be seen on ABC or DWTS ever again.
I am hooked on “raven’s house” for some reason and the kid that plays the son is hysterical. reminds me of Kyle Massey in a way but with more of an Anthony Anderson physical comedy kinda vibe