Even though Season 29 of Dancing with the Stars isn't coming back until the fall, it's never too early to start a wish list for the show. DWTS loves the tried-and-true celebrities like football players, nostalgia contestants and Disney stars, but we are going to think outside the box for producers.
Here's a list that DWTS is welcome to use because we think this group of celebs have something special to offer the show. Take a look and see if you agree.
1. Jerry Harris:
If you haven't watched the docuseries, Cheer, on Netflix, what are you waiting for? Jerry, along with fellow Navarro College teammates, Morgan Simianer and La'Darius Marshall, showed up for the DWTS Tour last weekend in Grand Prairie, Texas. While the series is currently trending now, Jerry is someone whose fame will probably transcend this pop culture moment. Can't you just see Jerry mat-talking from the skybox?
2. Tatyana McFadden:
Val Chmerkovskiy has been a strong advocate for adaptive dance for years. It makes us wonder why DWTS hasn't invited a Paralympian like Tatyana McFadden to compete on the show. She's won seven gold medals at the Paralympics and won multiple national marathons; Tatyana's competitive fire might be fun to watch out there on the ballroom floor.
[Editor's Note: Olympics and Paralympics are postponed until 2021.]
3. Jonathan Van Ness:
We loved Karamo Brown on Season 28, so why not invite JVN to come on the show, but with a twist? Let's pair up Jonathan with a male pro. The cast seems to be ready for a same-sex partnership and host Tom Bergeron thinks it's overdue. JVN is the perfect person to represent the LGBTQ community in a new way on the show.
4. Ashlee Simpson:
This has long been the top person on our wish list. As a former School of American Ballet student and Roxie in Broadway’s Chicago, she brings some dance capabilities to the show. As a singer, she would bring the musicality and rhythm needed to make it to the finale. Will she ever say yes to DWTS?
5. Rita Moreno:
While older cast members don't usually win or make it to the finals, having a Baby Boomer represented on the show is important and sends a great message to all ages. With Steven Spielberg's West Side Story coming to the big screen in December — and yes, she has a role — how cool would it be to have the original movie Anita on DWTS? It may be too big of a reach given she's an EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony Award), but we dare to dream!
Who is on your dream list?
This site is independently produced and created. Thank you for your support as we bring you the most up-to-date dance news and insight. Here are ways to help keep dance journalism coming your way:
For weekly dance insight that goes beyond the surface, join our Patreon page for weekly dance news, twice-a-week podcasts and dance-industry analysis: Patreon.
Need a gift idea for a dance lover? Check out my Amazon page for gift ideas.
If you make a purchase using the link included, we may earn a small commission.
Looking to join a dance community? Dance Dish with KB is on Facebook! Don't forget to answer the two questions for admission to the private group.