Ariana Madix might not be the only Vanderpump Rules star to compete on Dancing with the Stars. In the aftermath of Tom Sandoval and Rachel Leviss’ (formerly Raquel) affair, Ariana’s career reached a new level of stardom. She landed the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway, became the new host of Love Island USA, and successfully opened her and Katie Maloney’s Los Angeles-based sandwich shop, Something About Her. Before all of those accomplishments, Ariana was cast on Dancing with the Stars season 32, where she finished third.
Her placement on the competitive reality TV show stimulated much conversation during Vanderpump Rules season 11. Scheana Shay raved about how it was her dream to compete on DWTS and expressed that she was hurt when Ariana didn’t share the news of her casting with her. She had a stellar run on the show, and it would be hard for any of her Vanderpump Rules co-stars to come close to matching her performance in the competition. However, unfortunately for Scheana, Ariana’s ex-boyfriend, Tom, is a highly rumored contestant for DWTS season 33.
Cheryl Burke Thinks Tom Sandoval Will Be On DWTS Season 33
As A Former Pro, Cheryl Has A Lot Of Insight On The Show
Cheryl Burke, a former longtime professional dancer from DWTS, hinted that Sandoval would be joining the show’s season 33 cast. On her podcast Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans, Cheryl explained that the casting team for DWTS is the same for The Traitors, another reality show that Sandoval will be a part of. The ex-DWTS pro warned her listeners not to “be shocked if you see some similar names,” stating “Tom Sandoval” as a potential contestant for the cast. Reporter Kristyn Burtt disagreed, saying it’s too soon after Ariana’s appearance for Sandoval to be on DWTS.
“But I feel like after Ariana just did this particular season, we’ve moved on.”
Kristyn said Sandoval was “perfect for ‘Traitors’ because he’s been a villain on Vanderpump Rules for so long,” and the buzz surrounding Scandoval has dissipated. Burke likely has more insight into DWTS’ casting process having been a pro dancer for 26 seasons. Her opinion holds weight in the eyes of fans, whether she meant to stir up Sandoval’s casting prediction or not.
It Would Be Shocking To Cast Tom Sandoval On DWTS Season 33 In Ariana’s Footsteps
Scandoval Isn’t A Hot Topic Anymore
It would be odd for the show to ask Sandoval to join DWTS season 33, one year after Ariana appeared in season 32. Scandoval was heavily covered in Vanderpump Rules season 11, but the rest of the world has moved on to other pop culture topics. Bravo will likely reference the cheating scandal for the rest of the network’s future, but DWTS is under ABC. There would be no reason for ABC to try and profit off Scandoval because it isn’t a hot topic anymore.
DWTS Loves Casting Controversial Stars
They Fired Tom Bergeron For Speaking Out Against Their Casting Decisions
As controversial as it would be to cast Sandoval on DWTS, it could still happen. The show is notorious for casting contentious stars. Tom Bergeron, former DWTS host, revealed he was fired for disagreeing with their decision to include Sean Spicer, Donald Trump’s White House Press Secretary, in DWTS season 28. On Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans, Tom urged producers not to cast any political figures on the show. They told him Sean would be joining the season, which he was vehemently against. Tom wanted DWTS to “be the show that gives people a break from all this bullshit.”
After the DWTS season 28 cast was announced, he took to X/Twitter to share his distaste for Sean’s casting. Tom didn’t tell the DWTS producers he was releasing a personal statement and was jeopardizing his hosting gig with the post, and he was later fired. “I wanted the viewers to know this was a step too far,” he said. “This was a step too far on the cusp of an election year.” The production team behind DWTS has no problem casting controversial public figures and fired Bergeron for speaking out against them.
Tom Sandoval Would Likely Say Yes To DWTS
There’s No Way Sandoval Wouldn’t Compete On DWTS If He Was Asked
Sandoval would say yes to DWTS. On Vanderpump Rules, he admitted to taking ballroom dancing classes in preparation for a potential spot in the competition. Sandoval loves being in the spotlight, and a spot on DWTS one season after Ariana would draw in a lot of press for him. He’s already been featured in Special Forces season 2 and is set to appear in The Traitors season 3. If Vanderpump Rules ends after season 11, he’ll need another reality TV show to film in its absence.
Sandoval is a potential candidate for DWTS season 33. It would be shocking for the show to cast him only one season after Ariana’s successful run in the competition, but the production team is known for making risky decisions. While Scheana was hoping to be the next Vanderpump Rules star on DWTS, she might have to wait another season for the call.
