Selma Blair is making history this season of Dancing With The Stars by competing in the competition series. The cast was announced for the new season on Sept. 8, and fans were so excited to see Selma's name on the list. The actress is best known for working alongside Reese Witherspoon in late '90s and early 2000s films like Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde. Both films have cult followings of mainly young women who resonate with the messages in the films. Along with Selma, stars like The Real Housewives of New Jersey's Teresa Giudice and Jersey Shore's Vinny Guadagnino are competing in the season.
This season of DWTS also includes Shangela Laquifa Wadley from RuPaul's Drag Race. Shangela makes history as the first drag queen to perform on the series and already impressed judges and fans with her Salsa to "When I Grow Up" by The Pussycat Dolls. She and partner Gleb Savchenko scored a total score of 28, tying them for third place with Selma and Sasha Farber and The Bachelorette's Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy. Selma and Sasha performed the Viennese waltz to "The Time of My Life," by American Idol season 7 winner David Cook. The performance brought judges, fans, and contestants to tears.
However, Selma is unlike any other contestant of the season or any contestant who's ever performed on DWTS. After years of struggling with her health and unusual symptoms, Selma was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2018. The star came out about her diagnosis on Instagram and made her first public appearance since being diagnosed at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscars after party. Performing on DWTS is her way of reminding the world, including anyone else with MS, that she will not let the disease stop her from enjoying her life. Instead, she's continuing to challenge herself and believes, with confirmation from doctors, that competing on the show will actually be beneficial for her condition.
Sometimes it's hard for Selma to speak properly, and other times her body may move in abnormal ways. However, during her first performance, she moved flawlessly through her routine, doing such a good job that even judge Len Goodman, who's typically harsh with his criticism, could only say positive things. Last season, JoJo Siwa made history with dance partner Jenna Johnson as the first same-sex couple on the show. The two were so impressive they finished as runner-ups in the season. Thankfully, Selma is continuing the show's historic moments by competing.
The DWTS contestant is letting the world know that anything is possible, and no circumstance should ever stop anyone from living their best life and pushing themselves to try new things. Selma put her heart and soul into her premiere performance, and it warmed the heart of every person suffering from MS. When she was first announced, many fans with MS felt inspired by her and praised her courage and strength. Selma made them proud with just one performance, and fans can't wait to see what else she has planned for her season on DWTS.
Dancing With The Stars airs Mondays at 8 PM on Disney+.