PureDWTS Season 28 Casting Rumor Recycling Bin – What Old Casting Rumors Might Crop Up Again?
While season 28 is a huge wild card right now and none of us are quite sure what to expect, one thing’s for sure: 27 seasons of this show have shown us that if someone is a rumor for long enough, odds are good that they’ll eventually end up on the show. Paula Deen, Jodie Sweetin, Ryan Lochte, Terrell Owens, the list goes on – all were rumors for multiple seasons (often over a span of several years) before they ended up on the show. Hell, I even found an old post from early 2013 where *cringe* Bobby Bones was trying to campaign to get on the show.
So what names are in the rumor recycling bin that might crop up again? Here are a few I found that I think are worth considering…
Finola Hughes
Last time we heard her name: said she’d “love to do the show” back before season 16
Why we might see her name in the mix again: With the upcoming release of the new movie version of Cats, she’s getting renewed attention for playing Victoria in the original Broadway run of the show. She’s also ABC family (General Hospital), a dancer (classically trained in ballet, but who knows how much she’s actually retained from her youth), and fulfills the “nostalgia” quota (the famous Robert & Anna GH storyline, as well as roles in Stayin’ Alive and Aspen Extreme).
Likelihood of getting cast: Low to moderate – she’s probably not a huge get for the show, but she’s low-hanging fruit casting-wise and probably a bit more relevant at this point in time, due to her Cats connection. Also a good bet if they want to guarantee some good dancing.
Rob Gronkowski
Last time we heard his name: boasting about his dancing skills prior to the start of the All-Athletes season; however, he was on Deena Katz’s wishlist for season 23, and claimed he was “ready to dance” before season 20
Why we might see his name in the mix again: Rob has been a rumor for SEVERAL years now, and he seems to want to do the show, but his (understandable) excuse has always been that he “doesn’t want to get injured” in the NFL off-season. But given that he announced his retirement from the NFL in late March of this year, an off-season injury is no longer a concern…so is Gronk finally about to put his money where his mouth is and show off these dance skills he’s been boasting about for a few years now? As a three-time Super Bowl champion from a popular team (and a bit of a pop culture fixture), he’s an attractive casting prospect. A bonus: his girlfriend is Sports Illustrated model Camille Kostek, who is a former NFL cheeleader who still dances regularly…could we maybe seem them on the show as a two-fer, a la Nick & Vanessa Lachey (but hopefully more fun to watch)?
Likelihood of getting cast: High to definite – the timing seems perfect for both him and the show. WATCH SOCIAL MEDIA, GUYS – Rob seems like the type that will drop some heavy-duty hints if he’s involved.
Tori Spelling
When we last heard her name: She’s been a rumor as far back as season 9, and her name cropped up again for season 16 and season 18.
Why we might see her name in the mix again: She appeared on The Masked Singer earlier this year, which seems to indicate that she might be more open to reality shows at this point; she’s also part of the much-hyped 90210 reboot, BH90210, which begins airing Aug. 7 – where five of her castmates are DWTS alums. She’s also coming off of the shocking recent demise of former costar Luke Perry, which seems to provide fodder for “personal story” week (think Jennifer Grey getting choked up talking about Patrick Swayze, or Amber Riley addressing Corey Monteith’s death on her season).
Likelihood of getting cast: Moderate. She’s semi-relevant again, but probably not a huge name.
Kobe Bryant
When we last heard his name: It started getting thrown around for season 21, after Kobe and his wife attended the season 20 finale; it seems like it’s been getting whispered for every season since, but reached fever pitch again for season 26
Why we might see his name in the mix again: Because he hasn’t done the show yet, and he’s been on a lot of viewers’ wishlists since he retired from the NBA in 2016. Also a “bigger name”, like the show claims to be going after this year.
Likelihood of getting cast: Low to moderate. I think he’s just going to be a name that keeps cropping up each season until they actually get him on the show – but it could be cool to have both he and Gronk on the same season, since both are considered greats in their respective sports.
Teresa Giudice
When we last heard her name: It started popping up before season 11, then again in season 13, allegedly turned down an offer to be on season 22, but her name was back in the mix again for season 23.
Why we might see her name in the mix again: She’s the first Real Housewife I can recall being mentioned with regards to DWTS, so it seems to give a bit of OG cred – and given that she’s been through the legal wringer the past 5 years or so (a stint in jail, bankruptcy, her husband possibly getting deported), she could be a good candidate for a sort of “comeback” story line on DWTS. She’s also hard-up for money, so I’m guessing she’ll gladly accept an offer.
Likelihood of getting cast: Low, but if Bobby Bones can campaign to get on the show and eventually succeed AND win, anything’s possible! Another person who I think will continue to crop up in the rumor mill until they get cast, they die, or the show gets cancelled.
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So what are your thoughts on these repeat rumors? Are some finally going to come to fruition this season? What other names can you think of that might crop up again this season, after being rumored in the past?
Finola Hughes and Gronk on the same season would be hilarious since I think the two of them would be huge fan favs off the bat. I can’t help but think we will get Tori on the show eventually and as a huge 90210 fan, I kinda hope she is on but at the same time I think she wouldn’t last long since people tend to not like her (much like Shannon who was voted off first her season due to the same problem 🙁 )
Hit submit too early: But back to the two I really want on the show in the worst way: Finola and Gronk. Those two alone would bring a lot of eyeballs to the show since she is a soap opera legend and has a huge following from Charmed and the whole Cats thing (sidenote that movie trailer scarred me for life…James Corden as a cat is just pure nightmare fuel) and he is probably one of the biggest names in football for awhile now and is likeable off the field as well.
I’d be interested in seeing how Gronk would approach doing the show. He definitely has a healthy ego, so I’d be curious if he’d be willing to step back and listen to his partner and the judges, or just have an attitude all season and do his own thing.
Without even seeing him dancing, I can easily see him getting to the finals, or at the very least the semi finals. He’d be a big name if they could get him.
[…] announcing two cast members makes me wonder if they’re a package deal…like maybe Gronk and his gf, Camille? […]
@Kara: I feel like he would listen and have a little bit of a Chris Mazdzer vibe.
[…] I go back to it being someone big and possibly a package deal – my only other guess was Gronk and his model/dancer gf Camille Kostek. What are your theories as we wait to find out? […]
Finola has done some dancing on GH With Ian Buchanan (Duke), Anthony Montgomery (Andre), and Michael Easton (Dr Hamilton Finn). Easton won’t do DWTS, But the other two would be great candidates because they have really nice dance moves. Finola is currently on her annual extended summer vacation. Not sure when she will be back taping or on air again. She also does directing from time to time. Kelly Monaco did both. Finola could too. She is 59 years old but is very agile and energetic.
Finola? Yeah there’s that whole Saturday night live sequel as well.
[…] and our own posts/comments sections today (hello, sports blogs claiming to be the first to leak Gronk & Camille, who I’m not all that convinced about anymore), I think it’s entirely possible that […]
[…] out of the NFL preseason and training camp, only to rejoin the Patriots once the preseason is over. I casually threw him (and his gf, a model and dancer) out as a good casting possibility for season 2…, as he had expressed interest in doing DWTS numerous times in the past but had given the excuse […]