If Simone Biles appears on “Dancing with the Stars,” it will mark the first reality show for her, while Mr. T had his own series in 2006. (ABC/Image Group LA/Miguel Discart)
The 24th season of “Dancing with the Stars” will reportedly include Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and actor Mr. T in the lineup.
Sources told several Hollywood news sites that Biles and the retired wrestler will be included in the 12-year-old program, which Biles couldn’t join in 2016 due to her participation in the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions. (Her Olympic teammate Laurie Hernandez competed and won). At the time, Biles told Entertainment Tonight she was excited about the likelihood of participating this year, noting her hopes for her professional partner.
“I would love to [join “Dancing With The Stars”], but the fall season won’t work because [of] the tour,” Biles told ET. “If I could do the spring season, I would love to do that! I think [I’d like to dance with] Sasha [Farber]. I think it would be cool to be with Sasha.”
The 19-year-old won widespread acclaim after winning five medals — four gold, one bronze — in the 2016 Olympic Games. The hardware gave her two records: She is the first American female gymnast to win four gold medals in a single Olympics and she tied Romanian Ecaterina Szabo for most gymnastics gold medals won in a single Summer Games. Her accolades also saw her become the Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year.
Mr. T has remained quiet on his alleged involvement, but a “DWTS” insider told ET the program “has been trying to get Mr. T to do the show for years,” adding, “He will be a great contestant this season.” The 64-year-old, born Laurence Tureaud, is known for his role on the 1980s TV series “The A-Team” and last appeared on the small screen in 2014 in the movie “WrestleMania XXX.”
A spokesperson told Variety that ABC doesn’t comment on casting rumors, so the network has not confirmed the news. However, viewers shouldn’t have to wait much longer for official word. Last season, the cast was announced three weeks before the fall premiere and the spring 2017 season of “Dancing With The Stars” kicks off Monday, March 20.
