Pro dancer Peta is devastated to learn that she has to skip the season after hurting her leg, while Andy is officially joining the cast of 'Dancing with the Stars'.
- Sep 1, 2015
AceShowbiz - Peta Murgatroyd has to withdraw from "Dancing with the Stars" season 21 before the competition begins. The pro dancer has revealed that she has to skip the season because of a leg injury.
The 29-year-old was going to partner with singer Andy Grammer, whose participation in the show has just been confirmed. She had begun rehearsal with Andy, but one day she could tell "something was not right" when putting on her heels.
After checking it, she learned that she had 4 torn ligaments and a floating piece of bone at the back of her ankle. Her orthopedic surgeon said she needed a surgery that would sideline her "for six to eight weeks."
"It was devastating news for me," Peta shares to PEOPLE. Admitting that skipping the season is "heartbreaking," she adds, "I knew I needed to put my health first if I want to keep dancing on the show into my 30s."
She also says, "It was awful telling Andy. He had specifically asked to be partnered with me and I felt like I was letting him down. But he understood and has been a great guy about it."
Peta takes to Twitter to apologize to her fans, writing, "To all my loved ones and fans I'm so sorry for this heartbreaking news." Hoping to be back dancing soon, she says, "It's super frustrating but I'm going to fine and I'm going to be back in week eight or nine of the show," after undergoing a surgery scheduled for mid-September.
Meanwhile, announcing his participation in the show, Andy says in a video posted on the "DWTS" official Twitter account, "What's up, guys! Andy Grammer here. Rumors are true, I'm doing 'Dancing with the Stars'. Check me out on September 14th."
Honey, he's good! Please join us in welcoming @AndyGrammer to #dwts.
https://t.co/qubm780HzN
— Official DWTS (@DancingABC) August 31, 2015In other news, Derek Hough has reportedly revealed that he's partnered with Bindi Irwin this season. Mingle Media TV host Kristyn Burtt who interviewed the pro dancer at the Television Academy's Choreographers Emmy Nominee Reception tweeted, "Derek CONFIRMED he's dancing with Bindi. Says she's the 'most positive person he's ever worked with.' "
"Dancing with the Stars" season 21 kicks off September 14 at 8 P.M. ET on ABC. Other celebrities who have been confirmed to join the cast are Chaka Khan, Alexa Vega and her actor/singer husband Carlos Pena Jr., Victor Espinoza, Nick Carter and Hayes Grier. More stars and the pairing will be revealed in the coming days.
