The three athletes reportedly will be competing for a mirrorball trophy in the upcoming season 26 a.k.a. all athletes season of the ABC dancing competition show.
- Apr 5, 2018
AceShowbiz - Tonya Harding is ready for a big return. The former Olympian is scheduled to join season 26 of "Dancing with the Stars". The first-ever all athletes season will see Harding competing for a mirrorball trophy against fellow athletes Adam Rippon and Jamie Anderson, Us Weekly reports.
Harding has been in spotlight following the release of movie "I, Tonya" starring Margot Robbie. The 47-year-old former pro skater was known for her scandal involving fellow figure skater and rival Nancy Kerrigan at the 1994 Winter Olympics, where her ex-husband hired men to hit Kerrigan in the knee.
Her joining the ABC dancing competition show follows Kerrigan's stint. The latter previously competed in season 24 of "Dancing with the Stars" with Artem Chigvintsev serving as her pro partner. She was, however, eliminated in the seventh episode.
As for Rippon, it has been long speculated that the American sweetheart will be joining the show. When asked about the possibility of competing on the show, the 28-year-old athlete said, "If the opportunity came about I think it would be fun." The 2016 U.S. National Championships winner added that he wanted "somebody who can keep up with my quick whips whoever that woman may be" for his professional partner.
He also addressed it during a live broadcast on Facebook. "I think it would be a great opportunity and it would be really fun," he said. "It would be really fun. I've always wanted to learn how to dance, because I've just been a solo act, like a one-man show."
Alongside Rippon, Anderson is one of the athletes who draws attention during the 2018 Winter Olympics. She was the first female snowboarder to win back-to-back gold medals for women's snowboard slopestyle.
ABC declines to comment on the report, though the official line up for the upcoming new season will be revealed in the Friday, April 13 episode of "Good Morning America". Season 26 of "Dancing with the Stars" is set to premiere on April 30 at 8 P.M. on ABC.
