Several top gymnasts from the 2024 Paris Olympics are not taking a break but instead are stepping onto a new stage—”Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS). Among them are gymnasts Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik, who have traded their leotards for glamorous dance costumes to compete in the popular dance show. This year’s DWTS season boasts a star-studded lineup, including Dwight Howard, Eric Roberts, Danny Amendola, and Chandler Kinney.
Stephen Nedoroscik has made history as the first male gymnast to compete on DWTS. Partnering with pro dancer Rylee Arnold, he impressed viewers with a performance to Adam Lambert’s version of “Don’t Stop Me Now,” earning 21 out of 30 points and placing fourth among 13 couples. Despite the score, Nedoroscik remained optimistic, stating, “We were aiming for at least one seven… Three sevens was amazing for us.”
This isn’t the first time gymnasts have graced the DWTS stage. Simone Biles, the gymnastics G.O.A.T., competed in season 24 with Sasha Farber and, despite being a fan favorite, was surprisingly eliminated after receiving two perfect scores. Suni Lee followed in her footsteps in season 30, reaching the semifinals but finishing fifth. Laurie Hernandez made her mark in season 23 when, at just 16, she won the Mirrorball Trophy with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, becoming the youngest DWTS champion ever.
Other notable gymnasts who have competed on DWTS include Nastia Liukin, who participated in season 20 and finished fourth, and Shawn Johnson, who was the youngest DWTS champion at age 17 in season 8 and later returned for the all-star season, where she finished as the runner-up.
The 2024 DWTS season continues to capture attention, especially with Nedoroscik now competing for the Mirrorball Trophy. Whether he will take home the trophy remains to be seen, but he has certainly made a splash on the dance floor.
