'Dancing With the Stars' athletes you'll love or hate, from Tonya Harding to Adam Rippon
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With season 26 beginning April 30, here are the athletes you will love and, well, not love:
Loveable
Jamie Anderson: She’s a two-time gold medalist in slopestyle, a yoga enthusiast and one of snowboarding’s cool kids, judging from her Instagram feed. If the 27-year-old from Tahoe is as chill on the dance floor as she is on the mountain, Anderson will chase some crystal, and fans will love her style. She’s golden under pressure and in the spotlight. Fans who do not know her will be smitten. Her partner Artem Chigvintsev is also likable, which matters.
Chris Mazdzer: He will compete with Anderson to be the athlete you had probably never heard of yet find most likable. On the Olympic luge track, Mazdzer proved he would not be intimidated, winning the first singles medal in USA history. Will he pull off an upset as big as winning silver in Pyeongchang? Hard to say, but he won’t take himself too seriously, and he’ll give luge some much-needed time in the spotlight. He’s paired with former winner Witney Carson.
Adam Rippon: Things could go either way for the Olympic figure skater. He is nothing if not polarizing, and he’s not going to back down from anyone, even the Vice President of the United States. For those still recovering from Rippon Fatigue after the skater sought every camera in Pyeongchang – we’re sorry. But he’s a natural performer and quite graceful, so he should be considered a favorite -- unless his constant posturing turns off enough voters.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Abdul-Jabbar is a Renaissance Man – basketball legend, writer, actor. Because of the height disparity between 7-2 Abdul-Jabbar and partner Lindsay Arnold (5-6), dancing could be a challenge. But Abdul-Jabbar has already enjoyed his best career moment: as co-pilot Roger Murdock in Airplane! (After a bad score, Abdul-Jabbar should tell host Tom Bergeron “to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes.”)
NFL player Josh Norman: The Washington Redskins defensive back could see things go either way. But our bet is that because he’s a showman, will work hard and take it seriously, he’ll gather support.
Least lovable
Tonya Harding: Sorry, but the list must start here. Everyone knows her story. Everyone knows she is on a redemption tour following the movie I, Tonya. Harding, 47, told USA TODAY she expects to become emotional at some point in the competition: "It's been a very, very long time since I had people respect me in any way, so that's where the emotion comes in. If I get a standing ovation or have a huge crowd that does like me, I'll cry. Since I've become a mommy, I have more emotions."
Mirai Nagasu: Cast as a villain in Pyeongchang after she talked about saving the Americans’ medal chances in team figure skating, then openly lobbied to be on DWTS after flopping in the individual competition, Nagasu will probably be more reserved in the ballroom. Will the ice queen thaw the hearts of DWTS fans? Depends on whether she talks trash to her competitors or continues her lobbying to advance each week.
Johnny Damon: The former outfielder and leadoff “Idiot” (self-proclaimed) for the 2004 World Series champion Boston Red Sox will learn that serious dancing isn’t easy. Damon was known for his weak throwing arm, so partner Emma Slater should not trust him on lifts or dips. He’s in an interesting position, having played for the Red Sox and Yankees. How will those huge and fierce fan bases react?
Too early to tell
Jennie Finch Diagle: The former gold-medal-winning Olympic softball pitcher and All-American at Arizona has done some TV for ESPN and appeared on some reality shows, including being fired from Celebrity Apprentice by Donald Trump.
Arike Ogunbowale: The Notre Dame women’s basketball player is famous for hitting last-second, game-winning shots at this year’s Final Four, first against UConn in the semifinals and then with 0.1 of a second left against Mississippi State to win the national championship. Given Notre Dame’s legions of followers, she should get support.
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