The inner suburban soccer mom within me comes out every time a new season of Dancing With The Stars premiers. I am not sure why this show isn’t more popular, because it is wildly entertaining. But I have a feeling this season might disappoint me because the show is trying something different.
This season, only Olympians and athletes from the NBA, NFL and MLB are headlining the new season of DWTS. Usually, the show features singers, actors, and other famous celebrities, along with a few athletes.
I’m not a sports fan so I barely know the athletes from the major leagues. Since the majority of the viewers of this show are women, I know I’m not the only one who had to look up these athletes. The only event I watched during the Pyeong Chang Olympics this winter was figure skating, because let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to watch those skaters twirling around on ice in pretty costumes?
I am so excited to see that the lineup includes the skating icon himself, Adam Rippon. He is in my bracket to win because he has a fierce personality the judges will love, and he has one of the best new pros, Jenna Johnson. I also remember Mirai Nagasu from the U.S. skating team and I know she is going to give amazing performances with her phenomenal partner, Alan Bernsten.
Another Olympic ice skater we will soon see on the dance floor is Tanya Harding. Yes, you read that correctly. Are they going to address that scandal from the 1994 Olympics? It’s very awkward, because Nancy Kerrigan was on DWTS Season 24 (and did well)!
Other than that, I don’t know what to expect from the other celebrity athletes. I hope I am pleasantly surprised and entertained. I understand that athletes are notorious for getting to the finals and usually winning the “Mirrorball,” but what makes me love the show is seeing other stars from lots of backgrounds competing.
Another bummer about this season is that it will be much shorter than usual. It will only run for four weeks. I don’t like change, but I will definitely be tuning in each Monday night to watch these athletes, the fabulous pros and judges, and all the spray tans and sequin costumes. Dancing with the Stars All-Athletes premiers Monday, April 30th at 8 p.m.
