Brace Yourselves: Dancing with the Stars Is Returning To Our TV Screens
Dancing with The Stars has come back, and it’s coming back swinging.
I’ve watched Dancing with the Stars religiously since season two. I remember sitting down on the couch, with my mom, and gossiping over who missed what dance step (even though I have two left feet) and what star is going to win.
From season one to season 28, DWTS does not disappoint. Even when Bobby Bones and pro dancer Sharna Burgess won last season and it became a “controversy.” (I mean, we all know the show is a popularity contest—should we even be surprised that he won in the first place?)
However, that didn’t stop DWTS from taking a break. The last time Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews graced our screens was last fall (2018)—too long for this gal right here. I need the glitz, the glamour, the ballroom dancing, and of course, the intensity each dancer (stars and pros) develops over the course of the season.
Let’s dive into the full celebrity cast:
James Van Der Beek — actor, best known for “Dawson’s Creek”
Hannah Brown — The Bachelorette 2019, Miss Alabama
Karamo Brown —Queer Eye, The Real World, a TV legend (and my future therapist)
Lamar Odom — dumped by a Kardashian, retired NBA player
Christie Brinkley — supermodel
Lauren Alaina — country music star
Ally Brooke —pop star, former member of Fifth Harmony
Ray Lewis — NFL Hall of Famer
Kate Flannery — Meredith on The Office (yes, that one)
Kel Mitchell — comedian/actor, best known for “All That” and “Good Burger”
Mary Wilson — The Supremes
Sean Spicer — former White House press secretary
If that list didn’t shock you enough (Sean, looking at you), then take a look at the new pro list:
Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Sasha Farber
Alan Bersten
Brandon Armstrong
Gleb Savchenko
Keo Motsepe
Witney Carson
Peta Murgatroyd
Lindsay Arnold
Jenna Johnson
Emma Slater
Cheryl Burke
Daniella Karagach
Pasha Pashkov
You might be missing a few favorites. That's right, where is Artem Chigvintsev and Sharna Burgess? He’s the pro dancer that has been circulating around the release of the celebrity cast list. She's the winner of the previous season (with radio host Bobby Bones). DWTS Twitter has been abuzz wondering why in the heck that Artem wasn’t called back. Maybe because he hasn’t won in a while, but it also could be that DWTS is revamping the entire premise of the show and bringing in new pro dancers from the troupe (Daniella and Pasha).
Even host Tom said he was shocked and surprised at Sharna not being back, but in the end, he said, “it was someone else’s call.”
However, ET Online and other sources believes that Artem and Sharna “will remain a part of the DWTS family.” Pro dancers take breaks like this all the time, so here’s hoping that they return for Season 29!
Who's Who and Who's Gonna SLAY
And now…it’s time to dive into that celebrity list. Karamo Brown and Hannah Brown (not related, but nice touch, ABC!) are easily my favorites. As a super fan of The Bachelorette, I have to root for my girl Hannah Brown. Alabama Hannah, you are going to ROCK and SLAY that stage. I see Hannah dancing with Val, TBH. She’s been trained as a dancer growing up and she’s a freaking beauty queen. Gonna have Tyler C. a little jealous and wishing he would’ve continued that date instead of going after freaking Gigi Hadid. Not bitter at all.
Now Karamo has the potential to win. I’m calling it. I don’t even know if he has dance background, but he has a stage presence. I have faith that he can take it. Who to pair him with, that’s the real question—Jenna Johnson, perhaps? They did follow each other on Instagram… Just imagine the Queer Eye reuniting on DWTS. I can totally see Jonathan coming onto the dance floor and slaying with Karamo. Somehow, maybe—in my dreams or whatever. Can we recreate Taylor Swift's You Need To Calm Down video?!
Before I get into my country roots and discuss Lauren Alaina, I want to briefly emphasize the point that Sean Spicer is going to be on DWTS. While I don’t involve myself in the topic of politics too much, Sean Spicer has no appeal. I don’t understand let alone how he got on the show, but how ABC even wanted him. I'm not a huge fan of the previous administration he worked for (he was White House Press Secretary for Trump). But that's not what this blog is about. Hey, I’m all for it. If he wants to embarrass himself, that means more TV time for me.
Now let’s dive into the South. Country singer Lauren Alaina joined the cast of DWTS. Honestly shocked and surprised. I don’t think there has been a country singer (there hasn’t) on DWTS. The closest someone has been on it was actor and country singer John Schneider (season 27 with Emma Slater) and of course, Bobby Bones, radio host and winner of last season’s DWTS. I’m excited to see Lauren compete; I absolutely love her music. In case you didn’t know, she recently broke up with Christian comedian John Crist (see Road Rage in the Church Parking Lot video). I think she’ll be paired with Keo, but that’s just me. She could also be paired with Gleb or one of the new guys. We’ll see.
Others like the “All That” star, one of "The Office" ladies, and the one that got dumped by a Kardashian will be competing on the show. Oh, that guy from Dawson’s Creek but more famous for this crying meme. James Van Der Bleek, or something like that.
Your favorite pros and the three OG judges return to the ballroom on Monday, September 16. Don’t miss it.