Whenever they competed on Dancing With the Stars, Olympians, especially gymnasts and figure skaters, ended up near the top of the leaderboard.
Now, two-time bronze model Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik joins Season 33. Will he follow the trend of winning the Golden Mirrorball Trophy or come close, like his teammates, including fellow gymnast Laurie Hernandez, who won Season 23?
Let’s discuss his odds of winning.
Olympians Have More Skills and Focus
Most Olympians possess more drive and focus, but gymnasts and figure skaters feature grace, musicality, and tumbling skills that many other stars don’t have.
Shawn Johnson was one of the youngest competitors to win Dancing With the Stars during Season 8. When she returned for the All-Stars season, she was the runner-up.
While she and fellow gymnast Laurie Hernandez were the only ones to win the mirrorball trophy, their teammates Aly Raisman and Simone Biles made it to the semi-finals, showing they had the skills to make it far in the game.
Season 26 of Dancing With the Stars was a shortened season that featured only current and former athletes, making it a more even playing field. Figure skater Adam Rippon won that season, along with pro dancer Jenna Johnson.
Many seasons aren’t entertaining because the performers don’t learn the skills easily or have snotty attitudes, but most athletes desire to learn new, challenging skills.
Stephen possesses excellent upper body strength from his pommel horse skills. That strength will help him keep his frame and assist him in performing flips and tricks in Latin dances and freestyle.
Dancing With the Stars Relies on Popularity
A massive part of Dancing With the Stars’ success relies on the stars’ popularity. That doesn’t always work well with D-list celebrities whom many viewers don’t know.
However, bringing on sports stars, especially after an Olympic cycle, works in the show’s favor and will garner ratings and votes for that star.
Season 26 premiered shortly after the 2018 Winter Olympics and featured popular Olympians like luger Chris Marzder and figure skaters Mirai Nagasu and Adam Rippon. It was one of the show’s most popular cycles.
Stephen Nedoroscik has a fantastic chance of getting viewer votes because he’s a hero after assisting the United States Men’s Gymnastics Team win two bronze medals with his pommel horse routine.
He’s become an Internet sensation overnight, and again, it’s shortly after an Olympic cycle.
Having him as Rylee Arnold’s partner could be her best chance to win that trophy, and this is only her second season as a pro.
They already have chemistry and have become friends. He taught Rylee some moves on the pommel horse, which was smart because his confidence increased before he learned new dance moves.
If they show some of these adorable moments in their first dancing package on September 17, it’ll increase their chance of gathering more votes.
Dancing With the Stars Season 33 premieres on ABC on Tuesday, September 17 at 8/7c.
What do you think, Dancing With the Stars Fanatics? Does Stephen have the skills and the popularity to win this year’s mirrorball trophy? Do you like it when Olympians perform?
We would love to hear your thoughts, including which couple you are rooting for. Comment below.