S28: Casting Rumors and Speculation

[PhD-Purgatory15]

With the announcement on GMA set for next Wednesday morning (August 21st), I figured we are okay to set up this kind of thread.

Right now, this is some of what is out there:

Hannah Brown, the Bachelorette. Reality Steve seems to think she's a lock for the cast. Tyler Cameron's name has also been out there and there was some initial speculation that the earlier reveal that had been scheduled for GMA might have been the two of them. However Reality Steve doesn't believe TC will show up in the cast.

Katelyn Ohashi, the UCLA college gymnast who went viral with one of her floor routines earlier this spring. She's done a fair bit of self-promotion, but she'd definitely fit one of the "ringer" spots.

Rob Gronkowski, the retired Hall of Fame Tight End (soon to be anyway) from the New England Patriots. Basically America's lovable meathead jock. The timing would work before he goes off to a successful second career as a WWE Superstar. Also Camille Kostek, a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie and Gronk's girlfriend has been mentioned in conjunction with Gronk if they were to do a package deal.

The Mysterious friend of Bobby Bones, who could be a female country singer such as Maren Morris (who would be a massive get for the show), another female country singer like Kelsea Ballerini or Lauren Alaina, or possibly model/actress Brooklyn Decker (who could become part of another hypothetical package deal w/ her husband and retired tennis ace, Andy Roddick).

Just today DWTSGossip came across an interesting instagram post and began speculating about actress/singer Hailee Steinfeld. The former Oscar nominee would certainly be a higher profile get than DWTS is usually able to get and she's performed in a singing role on the show before....so who knows.

Other names include, Robert Irwin (Bindi's not so little brother), Andrea Barber (keeping that Fuller House pipeline alive), and at least a couple more that I'm probably missing.

Happy sleuthing, everyone!

[jay741982]

On the shallow end I'd love to see Sexy Camille Kostek on this season, Maren Morris, Lauren Alaina or Kelsea Ballerini.  And Haliee Steinfeld

[vavera4ka]

yeah none of those names sound familiar to me...

LOL

I THINK I remember the gymnast (is it the bubbly African American girl? with charm for days). And I watched the Superbowl, so I guess I saw the NFL player. in a helmet, so won't recognize him lol

that's where any familiarity ends.

here's to hoping Artem is there and has a good partner. cause at this point it's a hard pass for me.

[Fellaway]

I dunno.  If that's what they consider "more famous" dancers, it just seems like more of the same old, same old to me.  Makes me lose hope that we'll see any significant improvements on other things, too, in spite of TB's assertion that they "heard" us.  Please prove me wrong, Show!

[Maya S]

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1MMURgh5ja/

[PhD-Purgatory15]

Yeah, the first two cryptic casting posts on DWTS's instagram would lead you to believe that we've got an older female singer and an African-American male who can "bring the funny"....so possibly an Actor or Stand Up Comedian?

Edited August 15, 2019 by PhD-Purgatory15

[OnceSane]

6 hours ago, PhD-Purgatory15 said:

African-American male who can "bring the funny"....so possibly an Actor or Stand Up Comedian?

Kevin Hart?

Only somewhat kidding.

[kitcloudkicker]

Karamo from Queer Eye.

He’s the “culture” one, was on the real world, wears bomber jackets, went to Florida a&m

[LBS]

48 minutes ago, kitcloudkicker said:

Karamo from Queer Eye.

He’s the “culture” one, was on the real world, wears bomber jackets, went to Florida a&m

And he was on the Real World: Philadelphia.  Also, the coordinates are for Houston, TX where he was born. 

If it is him, that would be great!  He's my favorite of the Queer Eye men. 

[madpsych78]

On 8/15/2019 at 2:44 PM, PhD-Purgatory15 said:

Yeah, the first two cryptic casting posts on DWTS's instagram would lead you to believe that we've got an older female singer and an African-American male who can "bring the funny"....so possibly an Actor or Stand Up Comedian?

My thoughts on the older female singer: Could be either Audra McDonald or Jennifer Holliday.

I'm trying to figure out if there is an older singer who has a "from the rooftops" reference in one of her songs...

[madpsych78]

5 minutes ago, madpsych78 said:

 My thoughts on the older female singer: Could be either Audra McDonald or Jennifer Holliday.

I'm trying to figure out if there is an older singer who has a "from the rooftops" reference in one of her songs...

ETA: Maybe Paula Abdul or Debbie Allen?

Edited August 16, 2019 by madpsych78

[PhD-Purgatory15]

I've seen a few names thrown around for the "older singer" on the DWTS Instagram page. Based on a picture where she was wearing a very similar looking ring, a few people are throwing out Tina (Beyonce's Mom) Knowles. I've also seen Shania Twain, Gloria Estafan, Sheila E., Debbie Allen, and Fran Drescher for some reason.

[LizDC]

6 hours ago, madpsych78 said:

ETA: Maybe Paula Abdul or Debbie Allen?

They might be too ringer-y.

[MsTree]

3 hours ago, LizDC said:

They might be too ringer-y.

Not if they're truly trying to change things by actually having dancers "judged" for DANCING!

[Maya S]

Some fans caught Keke Palmer following and unfollowing DWTS on Instagram 🤔

[vdw84]

8 hours ago, Maya S said:

Some fans caught Keke Palmer following and unfollowing DWTS on Instagram 🤔

I would love to see Keke Palmer on dwts but I truly hate how dwts and the fans of the show do black female contestants esp. if they r talented and attractive.

[Toonces464]

Lots of speculation out there based on his and Nikki's social media that Artem is not on this season. I'll be really pissed if they dumped him but kept that idiot Gleb.

[PTVjones]

22 hours ago, vdw84 said:

I would love to see Keke Palmer on dwts but I truly hate how dwts and the fans of the show do black female contestants esp. if they r talented and attractive.

Is the show that Keke’s been cohosting with Michael Strahan also on ABC? Completely agree about the treatment of black woman on the show, but I question if they would do that to someone on the same network. It would be like them giving a bad edit to Ginger Zee, then going on Good Morning America with her lol. 

[PhD-Purgatory15]

If this show managed to get Kobe effin' Bryant (or Michael Jordan).....wow. That would be another level of star within the realm of sports. I honestly have no idea how KB's (or MJ's for that matter) personality would actually translate to be an unlikable or likable DWTS contestant, but man it's something fun to think about.

[PhD-Purgatory15]

On the Pro side of things,  a source for PURE is "confirming" that in the female line up both Lindsay and Emma definitely have partners this season and on the male side the same goes for Sasha, Val, Gleb, & Keo. Not thrilled with the last two. Never really been a fan of Gleb or Keo....I think that was a missed opportunity to inject to some new life into the guys side of the pro lineeup (ymmv of course)

Edited August 19, 2019 by PhD-Purgatory15

[DkNNy79]

11 minutes ago, PhD-Purgatory15 said:

On the Pro side of things,  a source for PURE is "confirming that in the female line up both Lindsay and Emma definitely have partners this season and on the male side the same goes for Sasha, Val, Gleb, & Keo. Not thrilled with the last two. Never really been a fan of Gleb or Keo....I think that was a missed opportunity to inject to some new life into the guys side of the pro lineeup (ymmv of course)

Those are my least favorite male pros as well.

[BeeBop88]

4 hours ago, PhD-Purgatory15 said:

On the Pro side of things,  a source for PURE is "confirming" that in the female line up both Lindsay and Emma definitely have partners this season and on the male side the same goes for Sasha, Val, Gleb, & Keo. Not thrilled with the last two. Never really been a fan of Gleb or Keo....I think that was a missed opportunity to inject to some new life into the guys side of the pro lineeup (ymmv of course)

Well, if Val is in, you can bet a zillion dollars that his wife, attention grabbing Jenna is in too. I think Sharna is a given and Peta has made noises in the past that she would like to be included in the fall DWTS. I haven't heard anything about judge changes, I think if Len gets more $$$ again, he will show up.   

I met Gleb in person at a DWTS Tour a couple years ago, and he couldn't be nicer to me and my friends. In fact, he was rather tame in the show (for Gleb) and wasn't really raunchy like he can be on DWTS.  But that all said, he is not my fav and I have never voted for him and any of his partners. So yeah, kinda disappointed he is back.

Keo did his best with that Harry Potter chick. So he has shown some growth as a teacher. It was the first time I ever threw some votes to him and his partner.

It sucks that Artem won't be back. I really feel that the show has never shown support for him. Proof is some of the lousy partners he was given.

Despite the fake showmance last season, Alan has kina grown on me. IMHO, he shows some real choreography talent, and he is a great dancer, and seems to have good rapport with his "celeb" partners. So I hope he wasn't given the axe.

Brandon is another newbie pro I would like to see back. Just like Alan, a talented dancer and some real creative choreo.

Well, I guess Wed. we will find out who is in, and who is out, regarding the pro dancers, and see what "big names" DWTS reeled in to compete. I am not holding my breath on the big names coming through. Another person related to the bachelor/bachelorette franchise makes me want to puke.

[Toonces464]

4 hours ago, DkNNy79 said:

Those are my least favorite male pros as well.

Mine too. Ridiculous they let Artem go and kept those two.

1 minute ago, BeeBop88 said:

Well, if Val is in, you can bet a zillion dollars that his wife, attention grabbing Jenna is in too. I think Sharna is a given and Peta has made noises in the past that she would like to be included in the fall DWTS. I haven't heard anything about judge changes, I think if Len gets more $$$ again, he will show up.   

If Peta is back, I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Maks back. Haven't heard anything about his restaurant or his BVI workshop with Dr. Seeds lately.

[BeeBop88]

3 minutes ago, Toonces464 said:

Mine too. Ridiculous they let Artem go and kept those two.

If Peta is back, I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Maks back. Haven't heard anything about his restaurant or his BVI workshop with Dr. Seeds lately.

LOL! I avoided mentioning Maks, because I wanted to be nice. IIRC, I think that health workshop thing was supposed to happen sometime before now. I completely forgot about it, and I guess it was cancelled due to lack of interest. It always sounded weird to me. IIRC, they were asking for a lot of money to participate also. With Maks huge ego, it must have crushed him to realize that he and Peta are not the big draws they think they are.  Ooops, there I go saying something bad about Maks! Well, I guess I will tune in on Wed. AM to see the big reveal. I will be really shocked if they got an A lister on there. In fact, I would be shocked if they got a C lister on there. LOL!  

[Tigregirl]

I was just on IMDB.com, and they list Darci Lynn and Elliot Yamin as cast members this season.  Those are the only names.  Elliot was on Am Idol many years ago so not sure if that’s true or if people will remember him.  I did like him then but haven’t followed him since his season.  Darci Lynn seems too young but I guess there have been a few others on her age - I just can’t picture her doing salsa, rhumba, cha cha etc.  Who knows if that news is correct or not.

[Toonces464]

So Peta is back. I'm going to be beyond pissed if they allow Maks to co-teach with her again like they did with Nyle. It's bad enough he'll be showing up in every rehearsal package and making his presence known in every interview she does with his good buddy Erin. It will be interesting to see how much they exploit the kid as well.

[thehepburn]

16 hours ago, Tigregirl said:

I was just on IMDB.com, and they list Darci Lynn and Elliot Yamin as cast members this season.  Those are the only names.  Elliot was on Am Idol many years ago so not sure if that’s true or if people will remember him.  I did like him then but haven’t followed him since his season. 

I remember him. I thought he was overrated as a singer and he was really short.

[LizDC]

From PureDWTS:

Quote

With only a day away from the Dancing With The Stars cast announcement, the rumors are really starting to fly now! How about Jessica Simpson, Rob Gronkowski and his girlfriend, Camille Kostek? I say YES!! Be sure to read the link below and Womens Health for more!! ETA: Stir on the possibility of Karamo Brown and Abby Lee Miller as well.

I hope that last one isn't true. Convicted felon Abby Lee Miller?? 

[vavera4ka]

LMFAO

i'd tune in for a trainwreck of ALM.

let someone bully her for a change. 

if she's true i'm glad Artem isn't in. we all know he'd draw that straw...

[Fellaway]

Deena Katz says this season's dancers will be "a bit more relevant, a little less niche."

Me, I'm not holding my breath.  I haven't heard a guess yet that sounds relevant or not-niche.

Edited August 20, 2019 by Fellaway

[PhD-Purgatory15]

So less than 24 hours from the cast announcement, where are we at?

Hannah the Bachelorette and Karamo from Queer Eye seem pretty close to locks per the DWTS cryptic instagram posts.

I also just saw where Christie Brinkley is in the cast, from Just Jared & DWTSGossip among other sources/sites (I wonder if the female contestant of a certain age will go back to Keo, if Artem is out like we think he is from reading the tea leaves).

The Ball picture seems to be pointing towards a basketball player like Kobe Bryant or even Michael Jordan. Either one would be a massive step up in the famous-ness scale from previous athletes.

The dark haired female post on DWTS Instagram has thrown out tons of possibilities (a horrific one in Abby Lee Miller, Tina Knowles, Gloria Estefan, Shania Twain, Sheila E., etc.

The Texas post could be Jessica Simpson, or Solange Knowles, or a female country music artist

Still some buzz for Rob Gronkowski and his GF Camille Kostek as a package deal in the cast.

On the pro side it seems like we've got Peta back, along with Lindsay and Emma and Sasha/Gleb/Keo/Val. Still wondering if we are going to get anyone new (even if that would just be Hayley being finally elevated to cast from the Trouple) for this season...

[Toonces464]

Here's the story on Christie Brinkley. I actually think she's a good contestant. I hope they don't waste her on Keo or Gleb, but I can't see who else she'd be with (unless they bring Tony back).

https://pagesix.com/2019/08/20/christie-brinkley-to-join-dancing-with-the-stars/?_ga=2.204849173.440229693.1564107071-961403312.1511651669

[nickp1991]

I’ve been wanting Christie Brinkley to do this show forever!

[DkNNy79]

7 hours ago, Toonces464 said:

So Peta is back. I'm going to be beyond pissed if they allow Maks to co-teach with her again like they did with Nyle. It's bad enough he'll be showing up in every rehearsal package and making his presence known in every interview she does with his good buddy Erin. It will be interesting to see how much they exploit the kid as well.

She’s almost unrecognizable to me.  She has gone overboard with the weight loss after she had her son.  She is thinner now than pre-baby.  It really ages her.  

[Toonces464]

46 minutes ago, DkNNy79 said:

She’s almost unrecognizable to me.  She has gone overboard with the weight loss after she had her son.  She is thinner now than pre-baby.  It really ages her.  

If they were going to bring back a female pro I would have much rather seen Karina, Edyta or Anna. Peta is probably my least favorite pro.

[legaleagle53]

And the award for this year's most controversial celebrity contestant goes to... Sean Spicer!

Edited August 21, 2019 by legaleagle53

[LexieLily]

I was irrationally excited when I saw the name Pasha on the pros list, but it's not Pasha Kovalev. Bummer. 

[DkNNy79]

11 hours ago, Toonces464 said:

If they were going to bring back a female pro I would have much rather seen Karina, Edyta or Anna. Peta is probably my least favorite pro.

Karina or Anna, YES!  Love their fiery personalities.  Edyta (and her husband, Alec) was a little dull IMO and her choreography was average.

[seaELare]

14 hours ago, Toonces464 said:

Here's the story on Christie Brinkley. I actually think she's a good contestant. I hope they don't waste her on Keo or Gleb, but I can't see who else she'd be with (unless they bring Tony back).

https://pagesix.com/2019/08/20/christie-brinkley-to-join-dancing-with-the-stars/?_ga=2.204849173.440229693.1564107071-961403312.1511651669

That's exactly who they'll waste her on. If Tony Dovolani was still around she'd go to him.  Good luck Gayle Gergich.  

[madpsych78]

I'm trying to figure out who will be paired with Lamar Odom as he is 6' 10". I'm thinking either Lindsay, Sharna, or Peta.

I wouldn't be surprised if Emma gets Spicey. 

The one potentially good thing about Spicey being on this season is that they could spoof it on SNL and bring Melissa McCarthy back. 

Interestingly, wide variety in ages for the women, whereas all the men are in their late 30s or 40s.

[kitcloudkicker]

Pasha and Daniela are interesting pro additions. They were on World of Dance, are Blackpool champions, and Daniella just came off Derek’s tour

[LBS]

1 hour ago, LexieLily said:

I was irrationally excited when I saw the name Pasha on the pros list, but it's not Pasha Kovalev. Bummer. 

Me too.  One of my favorite Irish writers (Marian Keyes) loved him on Strictly Come Dancing and tweeted about him all the time.  I was hoping to see him dance on DWTS and have her watch!  

[LexieLily]

4 minutes ago, LBS said:

Me too.  One of my favorite Irish writers (Marian Keyes) loved him on Strictly Come Dancing and tweeted about him all the time.  I was hoping to see him dance on DWTS and have her watch!  

I know him from So You Think You Can Dance 🙂

[Wyndsong]

I'm furious that they cast Sean Spicer. DWTS is my feel-good, joyful show. Spicer is disgusting and for the first time I'm thinking about not watching. The only way this could possibly be redeemed is if he's paired with Jenna and they go out on the first week. Show, why would you do this?

[PhD-Purgatory15]

Thoughts on Full Cast Reveal:

Guys

Karamo Brown, Makeover specialist from Queer

Kel Mitchell, watched his friend and teen comedy partner ascend to SNL success while his solo career mostly has fizzled out. He'll always have Good Burger. Seemed quite likable on the GMA Reveal, so he could be a darkhorse for this season.

James Van Der Beek, Actor, most known for pining for Katie Holmes for multiple seasons on DC and saying "I don't want your life" in an awful, overdramatic Texas accent.

Lamar Odon, This season's inspirational overcoming adversity story. Although the adversity was a self-imposed Las Vegas bender with tons of prostitutes and an insane amount of drugs.

Sean Spicer, Trump's lying mouthpiece for a period of time. An utter POS human who (on the positive side) at least didn't kill anybody.

Ray Lewis, Actually killed someone. And got away with it. Also a NFL Hall of Famer.

Girls

Ally Brooke, Singer. By far and away the least interesting and least talented of all the former 5th Harmony singers. Would've much rather seen Lauren Jauregai or Camilla

Lauren Alaina, Former AI runner up, something of an up-and-coming female pop country star (and friend of the Boneman). Not quite as ditzy as Kellie Pickler

Kate Flannery, Apparently the funny women on the cast this year? We all know how well that usually turns out.

Hannah Brown, I'll bet money she's paired with Gleb. Or maybe Alan

Christie Brinkley

Mary Wilson

Pro Cast

Apparently Artem & Sharna are out this season and two people from WoD (Daniella and Pasha) are in. Unfortunately it's the wrong Pasha....not the one from SYTYCD and Pasha & Anya. Sadly the troupe is no more this year so I'm thinking that might be all she wrote for Hayley. It's really too bad. She worked incredibly hard over a ton of seasons to improve her ballroom technique and it would've been nice to see her at least one time get to work with a celebrity over the course of a season. Lamar will be interesting at 6'10 or 6'11 to see who draws him as a partner. Maybe Peta??

Edited August 21, 2019 by PhD-Purgatory15

[Maya S]

I'm kinda glad the troupe is gone, there were too many contemporary jazz dancers trying to pass as ballroom.  Happy that we have a break from scum-defending Sharna and her obnoxious fans.  Excited to see Daniella and Pasha but I hope they're just featured dancers like Neil, Chloe, Luba and Johannes were on Strictly, it would be a bummer if they immediately got partners over established pros.  Daniella was amazing dancing with Keo on GMA, glad we'll see her and Pasha dancing this season.  

It's only fair that Lamar gets Peta since she's the tallest female dancer but this is the show that put Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with Lindsay.  It would be a riot to see how Lindsay deals with another tall partner, I still love watching that salsa 😂  James seems like a Lindsay partner to me but I can also see him with Emma.  Kel and Karamo's partners are tough predictions, I could see them with anyone.  

I've been hearing that Spicer might have been a last minute addition so I'm thinking either Jenna or Witney will get him since they weren't announced right away like Emma, Lindsay and Peta.  I can't see Cheryl coming back to dance with him after getting eliminated with the best dancer last year but she's dealt with Tom DeLay and Ryan Lochte so she might be the best to handle a problematic contestant.  I think she might get Ray Lewis though, he's problematic too but he's an NFL player and they usually go far.  Jenna is the only pro who hasn't had an NFL player yet so she might get him.  

It's logical that Ally should get Sasha since she's only 5 feet tall.  I think Hannah or Lauren will get Val, they're affiliated with ABC and Val is one of the more favored pros.  I can also see Lauren with Alan.  Christie seems like a Gleb partner.  I think Brandon or Keo will get Kate or Mary.  

[doLLish]

Cast is underwhelming. I really wanted Katelyn Ohashi! Sean Spicer? How desperate are TPTB?

Rooting for Karamo and Ally Brooke, I guess. Excited to see the new pros, too. Also glad that there’s no Sharna. 

Whats this about the troupe being gone? So who’s gonna perform the in-between stuff?

Edited August 21, 2019 by doLLish

[pally]

Tom Bergeron isn't happy with Spicer being cast.  This was his statement this morning

[PhD-Purgatory15]

pally, it's really nice to see that Tom came out on record as not being thrilled with Spicer being cast. I know DWTS has had political contestants before (e.g. Tom Delay and Rick Perry to name a couple), but there's something egregious feeling about SS. To watch him stand up there at the WHPR podium and spread lie after lie of Trump's nonsense or dangerous ideas is just a really sad route that the show decided to go down.

Maya S., Unless they'd flip it after the fact it sort of seemed like Karamo gave away that Cheryl was his partner during the GMA reveal this morning. Unless that was cold-blooded misdirection on his part (or the show's part) to muddy the waters that much more.

As for the other pairings I could see Sasha/Ally because the height constraints; I sort of hope it's Jenna/Spicer to try and get rid of both of them as soon as possible; Lamar/Peta; Lindsay/Kel (I really hope they don't saddle Lindsay with Ray this season), Keo & Kate, Brandon & Mary, Val & Lauren, Christie & Gleb, Hannah & Alan, James & Emma, and Witney/Ray.

Obviously if Daniella or Pasha get someone right off the bat then that throws all of this into chaos. I'd say if that happens then possibly Witney and Gleb/Alan might be in line to take a step down to "featured dancer" or whatever the heck they are calling the non-cast, non-troupe dancers that they keep around this season...

[boyznkatz]

I guess they've learned nothing. They still have losers and criminals on the show. And where is the big star they promised us? I'll give it a watch, but I doubt they are going to last after this season. James Vanderbeek is the only one I'm even remotely interested in.

27 minutes ago, Maya S said:

I'm kinda glad the troupe is gone, there were too many contemporary jazz dancers trying to pass as ballroom.  Happy that we have a break from scum-defending Sharna and her obnoxious fans.  

Yes! We don't get obnoxious Maks or Sharna. That's the only bright spot this season.