The cast of Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars was announced, and as usual, there were some head-scratching picks. The cast is stacked with Olympians, athletes, actors, and a convicted criminal. I’m still confused about that decision. But DWTS has never been shy about courting controversy.
Of course, how each contestant will progress in the competition is simply a guess at this point. We haven’t seen the competitors dance in the ballroom. And while dancing is one thing, dancing on live TV is another beast entirely. Plus, there is the added element of learning to trust their pro dance partner. If there is a conflict between a dancing duo, it usually spills over into the performance.
During Season 32 of DWTS, actress Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy took home the Mirrorball, while Jason Mraz and pro-Daniella Karagach came in second. So, let’s try and predict how each of these pairings will fare in the ballroom. Who will thrill in the DWTS ballroom?
Most likely to clinch the Mirrorball on Dancing with the Stars
I like the odds for NFL star Danny Amendola and his partner, Witney Carson. Not only is Danny an athlete, which is usually a positive sign for ballroom success, but he has a fun, light-hearted personality. And let’s not forget that Witney has an impressive track record. She took home the Mirrorball with current DWTS host Alfonso Ribeiro during Season 19.
Also, a giant in the personality department (and actual stature) is NBA champ Dwight Howard. He lights up the room with his smile. Being partnered with Daniella is another plus. During Season 30, she and Iman Shumpert won the Mirrorball.
I also have a good feeling about Bachelorette star Jenn Tran. She may be getting over a broken heart, but I think that her personality and willingness to work hard could make her a contender. And Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, also known as “pommel horse guy” will make fans fall in love with him all over again with his nerdy charm.
Next up is actress Chandler Kinney. She is paired with Brandon Armstrong. Not only can Chandler act, but she can dance! She trained at the Los Angeles Ballet Academy and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Plus, Brandon has yet to make it to the finale, so he is hungry to improve his standings. Could this duo go all the way and take home The Len Goodman Mirroball Trophy?
Most likely to keep us entertained on Dancing with the Stars Season 33
The contestants in this group could certainly surge ahead, but I feel like they may be stuck in the middle of the pack. Real Housewives of Atlanta peach Phaedra Parks is partnered with three-time Mirrorball champ Val. While Phaedra will no doubt entertain the masses, I’m not sure if she has the physicality to master some of the more demanding dances, like the jive and quickstep. I have a feeling we will hear a “Fix it, Jesus!” during rehearsals.
Actor Reginald VelJohnson appeared in the films Die Hard and Die Hard 2 and the TV show Family Matters. He showed off his sweet moves in the sitcom, and his infectious joy while dancing makes him a contestant to watch.
Next up is Beverly Hills 90210 actress Tori Spelling. She is paired with Pasha Pashkov, who placed third during Season 32 with Ariana Madix. Tori seems very anxious about the process, but if she can let go and breathe, I think she has the goods. Bring it, Tori!
The same is true of Bachelor star Joey Graziadei. He seems like he might be nervous in front of a live audience, but his partner, Jenna Johnson, will help him shine. She usually understands how to support and bring out the best in her partners.
Ilona Maher, the Olympic rugby bronze medalist, is paired with Alan Bersten. She is also a social media star, sharing her funny takes on being a female athlete. Ilona no doubt will master the physical challenge of dancing, but I think that performing in front of a live audience could be her pitfall. Again, these are all just early guesses.
Most likely to exit the DWTS ballroom early
Well, some contestants may not be ballroom champions, but we can still applaud their efforts. Actor Eric Roberts and his partner Britt Stewart are ready to bring their best moves to the dance floor. I am sure that Eric will nail the character and entertainment part of the performance, but I’m a bit worried about his dance moves.
The most controversial cast member of the season, Anna Delvey, is an infamous con artist. According to The Daily Beast, she posed as a rich German heiress in New York City. In 2017, she was arrested for defrauding several institutions out of more than $250,000. Then she was convicted of charges that included theft and grand larceny. Anna was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison. Since February 2021, she has been home under house arrest. In the end, Anna received permission to go to Los Angeles for the show. Her partner, Ezra Sosa, is a new dance pro. I feel that public sentiment could be against Anna. However, she has a robust social media following.
Finally, model Brooks Nader was partnered with Gleb Savchenko. Historically, models haven’t done well on DWTS. Perhaps Brooke was born to samba, but we’ll have to wait and see. For now, my prediction is that Brooke won’t make it far in the competition.
Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars airs on September 17 at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.
TELL US – WHO DO YOU THINK WILL THRILL IN THE DWTS BALLROOM? WHICH PRO IS YOUR FAVORITE?
