The official cast of Dancing With the Stars Season 16 won't be revealed until Tuesday morning on Good Morning America. But sources have leaked a few names early, and frankly, our response is ... eh.
According to TMZ, The Bachelor's Sean Lowe, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman and two country singers, Kellie Pickler and Wynonna Judd, will be among the sequined stars when the show kicks off on March 18 (at 8 p.m. ET on ABC). That's in addition to Baltimore Raven Jacoby Jones, who was revealed as the first cast member in a promo during the Oscars telecast.
Bearing in mind that this show has always stretched the word "stars" to accommodate lots of B- and C-listers, here's hoping producers are at least saving one or two big-name surprises for tomorrow morning. Nothing against the people named, but couldn't ABC have used the show's ratings clout to attract some more, well, visible celebrities?
No doubt producers will hype the fact that Pickler is the show's first contestant to come out of American Idol. (In 2006, she finished in sixth place during Idol's Season 5, which also produced Katharine McPhee and winner Taylor Hicks.) And Pickler has gained some notoriety after three country albums and a couple of TV guest hosting gigs (on Anderson Live and Today). But let's be honest -- there are literally dozens of Idol alum out there. Why not get Clay Aiken? (Donald Trump got him!) Or what about the always-entertaining Adam Lambert? We know he's got some moves!
Lowe has been a good Bachelor, but he'll only be an interesting DWTS cast member if the rumors are true that Emily Maynard (who allegedly broke his heart on The Bachelorette) has also signed on. And even then, how hard is it for ABC to wrangle the latest Bachelor? It's almost expected now.
As for 2012 Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Raisman, she'll no doubt be a contender (Olympians tend to clean up on DWTS). But wasn't Gabby Douglas the breakout star of the women's gymnastics team?
Granted, Judd could possibly bring some crazy to the proceedings. She's no Kirstie Alley, but the singer has been known for some nutty personal drama. She could spice things up. And of course, if we tune in to GMA Tuesday and learn that Honey Boo Boo's Mama June is in fact on the roster, we'll take it all back. Fingers crossed, DWTS fans!
