Stephen Nedoroscik to Star in ‘Dancing with the Stars’
From the pommel horse to the dance floor, Stephen Nedoroscik’s summer continues. “Dancing with the Stars” announced the beloved American gymnast as the show’s first celebrity contestant on Thursday.
Team USA selected the 25-year-old Nedoroscik as a single-event specialist, and he went on to win two Olympic medals at the 2024 Games. The first came in thrilling fashion in the team final, when he had to wait more than two hours to capture the bronze medal for the U.S. Days later, he earned another bronze for his individual performance on the pommel horse, becoming the first American man to win an individual gymnastics medal since 2016.
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“Good Morning America” announced Nedoroscik’s selection for “Dancing With The Stars” and he told host Robin Roberts that he may plan to bring some of his gymnastics routine to the dance floor.
“I hope to bring a few. I want to bring some flares, I want to bring some of that gymnastics,” he said. “Maybe a backflip or a handstand. I want to have fun with it.”
The series’ 33rd season will premiere on September 17.
Nedoroscik becomes the first male gymnast to compete on the show, joining previous Olympians Shawn Johnson, Aly Raisman, Nastia Liukin, Laurie Hernandez and Simone Biles. Johnson and Hernandez both won their seasons, while other winning athletes include Emmitt Smith, Hines Ward, Donald Driver, Apollo Ohno and Kristi Yamaguchi.
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Much of Nedoroscik’s sudden summer fame can be attributed to his Clark Kent-like appearance, as the star-studded gymnast gained viral attention by transforming into an Olympic hero after removing his glasses. Nedoroscik, who has strabismus and coloboma, has used his social media presence to advocate for those with visual impairments.
After his Olympic performance, he told reporters that he will compete without glasses and will rely mainly on feeling and familiarity.
When asked if he plans to dance with his glasses on or off, Nedoroscik told Roberts that he might just use the famous glasses to his advantage.
“Yeah, I could have fun with them,” he said. “I’m afraid they’ll fly off, that’s the thing, but maybe we can make a gadget to store them or maybe a new pair of glasses that fits the theme, right? That’s what I’m thinking.”
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(Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
