Dancing With The Stars fans are excited for a possible season 31, but they do not want to see celebrities with previous dance experience in the ballroom. While season 30 was thrilling, with some of the most iconic routines in the history of the show, fans often griped that it was to be expected when the show had stars like JoJo Siwa, Cody Rigsby, and Amanda Kloots in the cast, all of whom have prior dance training. People were disappointed to see celebrities with no previous training such as Matt James and The Miz leave the competition despite their vast improvements, while the others stayed. Although Iman Shumpert, an NBA player with no dance experience at all, ultimately ended up winning the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, the three others in the finals were the ones with the most dance experience in the competition.
The inclusion of stars who have dance training has been a hotly debated topic amongst fans since the beginning of the show. Some argue that the show is about learning to dance, so stars with no experience who learn and grow should win the competition over those who already know how to dance. Others say that while learning to dance with a pop group or on Broadway definitely gives stars an advantage, it is not the same as learning the ballroom or Latin dances that the show requires to win. Fans were particularly angry when JoJo Siwa delivered near-perfect to perfect performances week after week with her partner Jenna Johnson, at times making it hard to distinguish who was the teacher and who was the student. However, others appreciated their stellar routines, and were wowed by their ability to take the artform of dance to another level on the show.
After reports of low ratings, executives are rumored to be looking for A-list celebrities and household names to fill the ballroom next season. When Heavy asked fans to comment about which celebrities they want in the competition, they expressed that "they do not want celebrities with former dance experience to be part of the upcoming season." They cited JoJo, Cody, and Amanda's professional dance experience as their reason why. Some fans thought that perhaps the best idea for season 31 would be to have an All-Stars version with stars from the past 15 seasons during which people who did not win could come back to compete again. They would also be satisfied with a season of winners from the past.
Since fans have expressed who they don't want to see in season 31, Heavy decided to explore who they would enjoy watching. Multiple fans suggested former NFL player and current television host, Michael Strahan, and television personality, Steve Harvey, as possible contenders. Country music fans added stars like Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, and Kelly Clarkson to their wishlists. Other ideas for celebrity dancers were Shemar Moore, Darren Criss, Kelly Ripa, Jimmy Fallon, Melissa McCarthy, and Will Smith. Those names would certainly fulfill the A-list requirement put forth by the executives.
It seems that changes are once again coming to Dancing With The Stars. With rumors swirling that host Tyra Banks is on the way out, and fan complaints about contestants, the show will have to cast the perfect stars to boost the ratings. When executives cast people with no prior dance experience, they run the risk of inviting lackluster performers who earn low scores into the ballroom. However, those with previous dance training may have an unfair advantage. The producers will have to find stars like Kelly Clarkson and Will Smith, who have proven that they have a lot of rhythm, but are not trained dance professionals, to help breathe new life into the show.
Source: Heavy