ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” is returning with the regularly scheduled program on Sept. 24.
DWTS is coming back for Season 27, and as of Sept. 12, the cast for the season was announced. More than any season before, many of the young viewers are unaware of who the contestants are this year and what dance ability they may have. Just like every season, I’ve entered the DWTS betting polls and have my predictions for the frontrunner, the most audience-loved contestant and the weakest dancer. Get to know this season’s contestants and their chances for stealing the show with their level of dancing prowess.
Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess
Where you’ve seen them: Bones is regarded as “the most powerful man in country music.” He’s a radio host and entertainer with the syndicated on-air show “The Bobby Bones Show.”
Analysis/Predictions: As a radio host, Bones is most likely well-versed in music and rhythm. However, seeing as he’s developed his career for sitting in a chair behind a microphone, we can’t be too sure. Past in mind, I predict Bones will be comical but difficult to get out of his shell when it comes to dancing. I’m expecting a middle of the pack exit.
Milo Manheim and Witney Carson
Where you’ve seen them: Manheim is the youngest contestant of the season. The 17 year-old is known primarily for his role in the newest Disney Channel original movie “Zombies.”
Analysis/Predictions: Historically, younger contestants are typically paired with Carson due to her fun, energetic personality and ability to incorporate hip-hop with the ballroom style. While fans may love Carson’s unique style, her reception form the judges does not always result in positive scoring resulting in an early exit from her partners.
Danielle Umstead and Artem Chigvintsev
Where you’ve seen them: Danielle is a paralympic skier and was part of the US Paralympic team. She began losing her eyesight at a young age due to a genetic eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa. Umstead is partially blind and competes with a sight guide.
Analysis/Predictions: In a past season, veteran pro dancer Peta Murgatroyd danced with deaf model and celebrity Nyle DeMarco. One of their most powerful dances is when Murgatroyd blindfolded DeMarco to have him only feel the music. I think Artem will implement and face similar sensory factors but gain a lot of respect from the viewers. As a skier, similar to past DWTS contestant paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy, I think Umstead will have natural hip rotation and movement to help her dance. If she can learn choreography I predict a top 10 placement.
DeMarcus Ware and Lindsay Arnold
Where you’ve seen them: Ware is a retired NFL player of more than 10 years.
Analysis/Predictions: Historically, athletes, especially NFL and NBA players, do exceptionally well in the competition in make it very far. I predict that Ware will end up in the same rank above the rest.
Joe “Grocery Store Joe” Amabile and Jenna Johnson
Where you’ve seen them: Joe Amabile, better known as Grocery Store Joe because of his former job as a produce buyer, became famous for his realism on both the “Bachelorette” and the “Bachelor in Paradise.” Season 24, past bachelor Nick Viall found himself on the show and made it to week seven of the program.
Analysis/Predictions: Amabile’s entire appeal to audiences is the fact that he is so nice and average and I believe that will translate well to getting votes at home carrying him slightly farther than what I believe will be fair dance ability.
John Schneider and Emma Slater
Where you’ve seen them: Schneider is an experienced actor known for his starring role as Bo on “The Dukes of Hazzard.” He currently stars in Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and the Have Nots.”
Analysis/Predictions: Due to Schneider’s extensive country music career, his projected dance ability is a wildcard. While his dance partner Emma Slater did have a win with NFL player Rashad Jennings, she is more known for dancing with older stars who really appeal to voters.
Juan Pablo Di Pace and Cheryl Burke
Where you’ve seen them: Di Pace is known for his roles in “Mamma Mia” and “Fuller House.”
Analysis/Predictions: Di Pace has Hispanic heritage and has shown some dance ability on “Fuller House.” With Burke, a notoriously tough coach, I think he has room to do very similar to Gilles Marini in the past.
Nancy McKeon and Val Chmerkovskiy
Where you’ve seen them: McKeon comes from the hit 80s sitcom “The Facts of Life,” which also starred past DWTS contestant Kim Fields.
Analysis/Predictions: McKeon’s former co-star made it close to the end of the competition, getting eliminated week seven. McKeon is one of the new stars who’s been open about having little dance experience. The interesting part of the competition for her will be her inner transformation to break out of her shell and either rise to the occasion or crumble.
Mary Lou Retton and Sasha Farber
Where you’ve seen them: Retton was a household name in the 80s due to her fantastic appearance at the Olympics.
Analysis/Predictions: Just a few seasons ago, Farber was paired with current gymnastic dynamo Simone Biles, and while they didn’t win, she made it to the semifinals and warmed the hearts of many. Former gymnastics olympians including Shawn Johnson, Aly Raisman, Nastia Lukin and Laurie Hernandez have all competed on the program and either won or gotten to the semi-finals. Although the years between Retton’s competition action and today, I think her previous abilities will propel her in the competition.
Tinashe and Brandon Armstrong
Where you’ve seen them: Tinashe is a singer, actor and well-known dancer famous for her well produced music videos.
Analysis/Predictions: Tinashe is on the radar for a lot of DWTS viewers because she is known for her high dance ability. Many have marked her as a finalist or the one to win this season because of her years practicing dance. However, many are also mentioning the controversial snub of former Fifth Harmony member, Normani, who many thought deserved and was slated to win her season. Also, an interesting fact to note is that her partner Brandon is having his first professional season. While Tinashe may come in with a high level of skill, having a partner who isn’t used to coaching people through this type of program could be harmful.
Nikki Glaser and Gleb Savchenko
Where you’ve seen them: Glaser is a comedian and podcast host most known for her show Not Safe with Nikki Glaser.
Analysis/Predictions: Similar to Bobby Bones, I think the idea of being behind a microphone could hinder Glaser. However, I do think her stand-up ability has placed her in a position to be very open and apply a lot of personality to her dances.
Alexis Ren and Alan Bersten
Where you’ve seen them: Ren is a model and social media influencer.
Analysis/Predictions: Ren has been extremely vocal about her lack of dance ability. She also notes that she can be slightly awkward. Due to the fact that her typical audience doesn’t watch the show and she is seemingly unsure of herself, I don’t predict her going too far.
Evanna Lynch and Keo Motsepe
Where you’ve seen them: Lynch is known for her recurring role as Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter franchise films.
Analysis/Predictions: As a British actress, not much is known about Lynch other than her professional work. I think she could be the major underdog for this season. As someone who only has a narrative to build, if she remains open to the experience and vulnerable then fans will latch on to her and help her succeed.
The line-up is looking diverse, with not every contestant being super well-versed in dancing ability. The mix of amateurs and novices though is half the allure of the show, so let’s see how far all these stars will go when DWTS returns to TV on September 24th.