Olympic gymnast Stefan Nedorosik joins ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 33 after historic pommel horse routine
Olympic gymnast Stefan Nedoroski is heading to the ballroom!
Following his historic pommel horse performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Team USA athlete will now compete on Season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars.”
The announcement was made Thursday on “Good Morning America,” with Nedorosik appearing live in the studio. He is the first contestant to be named for the upcoming season.
“I’m very excited,” said Nedorowski, 25. “I hope I can bring something to the table.” [gymnastics] I want to have fun with it.”
The two-time Olympic bronze medal-winning gymnast will make history as the first male gymnast to participate on the show. Previous female gymnasts who have participated in the ballroom include Suni Lee (season 30), Simone Biles (season 24) and Laurie Hernandez (season 23).
Who will be joining her on the dance floor this season?
Fans will have to wait patiently for the full cast reveal, which will be announced live on “GMA” on Sept. 4. However, that hasn’t stopped loyal viewers from taking to social media to express who they want to see in the Season 33 lineup.
Names being considered this year include NFL star Jason Kelsey, former inmate Gypsy Rose Blanchard, actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, “Vanderpump Rules” star Tom Sandoval, Victoria Beckham from the Spice Girls and “Golden Bachelor” alumnus Gerry Turner.
ABC does not comment on casting rumors prior to an official announcement.
Meanwhile, Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro will return as co-hosts, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli will return as judges.
Val Chmerkovskiy currently holds the title of champion among professional dancers, after winning the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy with actress Xochitl Gomez last season.
The duo defeated Jason Mraz and Daniela Karagach (second place), Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov (third place), Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev (fourth place), and Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber (fifth place).
“This is the result of a lot of hard work and sacrifice,” Chmerkovskiy told Page Six in the ballroom after the show. “I’m so proud that this young girl was able to prove to herself so early in her life that when you set your mind to something and you’re willing to work really hard at it, you can achieve anything.”
Gomez added, “I’ve always been who I am and I didn’t care what other people thought, but at this point in your career, you just need a certain something, and this show is exactly what I needed. It was really nice to just have the support, family, friends and people that cared about me.”
The new season of “Dancing With the Stars” premieres Tuesday, Sept. 17, on ABC and Disney+.
