Dancing With the Stars season 28 may be the best one yet! So, who stands to dominate the dance floor? Dancing with the Stars fans know that anything is possible, but one thing seems assured: the winner will definitely be… a woman.
The long-running hit dance competition has led to a career boost for many of its winning stars. However, fans might be a bit wary of another male champion since the past four have been guys. It won’t be difficult for the show to produce a winning lady, because this season has a number of talented celebs with the right stuff. There’s more that goes into a Dancing with the Stars win than just skill and talent. Likability is often a huge factor. Former American Idol star Kellie Pickler took the top spot back in 2013, with Hollywood it-girl Zendaya coming in second place. This year’s competition will shape up to deliver the same popularity contest that the show is known for.
If another male winner were to be crowned, it’s likely to be either Kel Mitchell or James Van Der Beek. Fan favorite Van Der Beek has continued to delight with his fluid moves and aptitude. Early on in the season, the Dawson’s Creek actor wowed with a passionate rumba. He followed that up with a celebratory quick-step to the Katrina and the Waves hit “Walking on Sunshine,” after announcing to viewers that he and his wife are expecting their sixth child. Mitchell, a one-time Nickelodeon star, has maintained a loyal fan-base throughout the years. A victory could prove to be the type of career boost needed to catapult him to the current stature of his former onscreen comedy partner, Kenan Thompson of Saturday Night Live fame. A win for family man Van Der Beek could come from the network’s traditional viewership in the Midwest. But that’s a big “if.”
Back to the ladies: early odds on favorites in Vegas put Alaina as the projected winner. The country music and American Idol star continues to wow the judges with her down-home charm and dexterity on the dance floor. Alaina’s strength also lies in her ability to appeal to the public with witty quips referencing her faith, as well as heartfelt requests for prayer in light of a recent tragedy she and her family suffered in week three of the show.
Kate Flannery, star of The Office, has emerged a surprising talent under the tutelage of her partner Pasha Pashkov. Flannery, who played Meredith on the long-running sitcom, has proven herself to be a graceful addition to the cast, stepping into each of her dances with ease. The judges have been mostly receptive, taking the actress to task for some minor missteps in weeks two and three. On “Disney Night,” which aired October 14, Flannery bounced back with her judge-approved take on beloved character, Mary Poppins. The Bachelorette star Hannah Brown has managed to hit the snooze button on her 15 minutes of fame, with ABC promoting the beauty queen on another of its hit shows. Although Brown is a favorite with judges and Bachelorette Nation, the voting audience may grow bored and slow its support for her in coming weeks.
Former Fifth Harmony chanteuse Ally Brooke has delighted judges with her sultry moves and ease with partner Sasha Farber’s choreography. She, too, is a favorite among betters, following a fiery performance on Disney night. Her contemporary Beauty and the Beast nod even earned the first nines of the season. A win for Brooke would certainly vindicate bandmate Normani Kordei’s shocking loss back in 2017, and she would also score one for Latinas, adding to the stellar path paved by gymnast Laurie Hernandez in season 23. Meanwhile, Sailor Brinkley-Cook performs with the sheer force of mom Christie Brinkley’s best attributes. Since the season opener, the model and Sports Illustrator cover girl has emerged a showstopper in her own rite with relatively high marks for each performance. She does, however, play to a similar crowd as Brown, so these two could cancel out each other.
More: Dancing With the Stars Contestants Who Left Too Soon
Source: Gold Derby
