‘DWTS’ Could Feature Dance Partners Of The Same Gender For First Time Ever, Plus Season 29 Cast Rumors
Dancing With The Stars might finally join 2020. In all 28 seasons of the U.S. version of the dance competition, celebrities and their professional partners have always been of the opposite genders. However, things may look a little different in the show’s upcoming Season 29.
DWTS Versions in Other Countries Have Featured Same-Gender Partners
The Blast reports that several other nations with their own versions of Dancing With The Stars feature dance partners of the same gender. The upcoming season of DWTS UK will include a dance pairing of the same gender. DWTS Australia had same-gender dance partners last year.
A partnership of the same gender won DWTS Denmark. Even Austria has been open to the less traditional dance partnership. After 15 years, the U.S. version of DWTS could look a little different this season.
Former Producer Thinks the Country is Ready For It
Traditionally, men dance with women and women dance with men, period. Gender norms rely on the man taking control during the dance and leading his partner. If two men are dancing together, which one is the leader and which is the follower, gender norms ask.
But the tide is turning and people are ready to throw out the entire tub with the bath water. Dancing With The Stars had a particularly tense Season 28 with stunt casting that brought politics to primetime television.
Former White House employee, Sean Spicer, appeared on DWTS last season. President Trump often tweeted his support, encouraging his followers to vote for Sean regardless of his dancing ability. And vote they did. The controversial figure lasted eight weeks while judges’ favorites were sent packing by the audience.
The judges and fans were frustrated with how it all went down, TV Shows Ace reported. Despite the assumed political stance of the audience during Sean’s season, a former DWTS producer thinks fans are ready for same-gender partners. The producer, Steven Price, says,
“The Midwest is changing their dynamic now. They are changing. They are being more open to it because they are being introduced to it.”
Dancing With The Stars host Tom Bergeron is ready for the change, too. He said it’s “long overdue.” Tom was openly against ABC casting a divisive political figure for Season 28. However, The Blast reports it’s not off the table for next season.
DWTS Season 29 Cast Rumors: An Injured Star Returns, a Hot Shot Movie Star on ‘Wishlist’
ABC was actively wooing actor Charlie Sheen to appear on Dancing With The Stars last season, going so far as to meet with him. Variety reports that the Hollywood vet is still on their radar for a possible addition to the Season 29 roster.
Charlie is somewhat controversial himself, with all his talk about tiger blood and creating the catchphrase “winning,” before hashtags were a thing.
In 2015, the Spin City actor was forced to reveal his AIDS diagnosis after being extorted for years to keep his diagnosis a secret.
Dancing With The Stars loves to cast a celebrity who can compete on the show against all odds. Deaf actress Marlee Matlin, double amputee Amy Purdy and Little Women: LA star Terra Jole to name a few.
For the upcoming season, ABC is eyeing football player Ryan Shazier. The former Pittsburgh Steelers player was nearly paralyzed in 2017 and had to learn to walk again.
The show is also looking to bring back model Christie Brinkley. As fans know, Christie broke her arm during the first rehearsals of Season 28. Her daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook, took over for the rest of the competition.
However, the honchos at ABC were wooing Christie for years before she agreed. It’s possible they will want her back for another go at the Mirror Ball.
One fan favorite not returning is Derek Hough. TV Shows Ace reports the former DWTS pro joined the cast of an upcoming Disney+ series, High School Musical: The Musical. The World of Dance judge also has a Las Vegas residency starting in June.
Dancing With The Stars will air on ABC later this fall. Casting announcements aren’t usually revealed until a few weeks before the first live show. Keep an eye on TV Shows Ace for updates on when Season 29 will air.
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