Dancing with the Stars’ dream team: Inside the VERY impressive cast of celebrities being targeted by ABC producers for next season of the hit show – from J.Lo’s ex to Baby Reindeer superstar and an MLB legend

Dancing with the Stars bosses are looking to finalize their celebrity line-up for the upcoming 2024 series – with JLo’s exes and Gypsy Rose Blanchard among the famous faces they are keen to cast.

With just a few months to go until the arrival of the new ABC season, executives have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to sign all the big names that have dominated headlines all year.

Among those names are Jennifer Lopez’s former partners Cris Judd and Casper Smart, who have attracted interest in recent weeks amid massive speculation that her marriage to Ben Affleck is on the rocks.

They are joined by recently released felon Gypsy Rose, who has become a viral media sensation since her release from prison in late December.

An insider close to the show told DailyMail.com exclusively that anyone who has been tongue-tied will be on executives’ radars as they look to sign red-hot talent in a bid to boost ratings.

They said: ‘Dancing with the Stars always overbooks talent and goes to the very last minute to sign someone up.

“Producers are constantly talking to stars throughout the year to work on their schedules.

“They’re also waiting for certain events to end, like this summer’s Olympics, to see what trends are out there and who would be a good fit for them.

‘Anyone who has been in the news, or will be in the news, is always asked. Since it’s an election year, anyone connected to Biden or Trump is asked, as well as Tik Tok stars.

“But JLo’s exes, Cris Judd or Casper Smart, could be a double whammy this year because of their dating history and because their dancing skills would make for great entertainment.”

The source continues, “As bosses prepare next season, they will have automatic selections using other ABC shows like the Bachelor franchise, with Joan Vassos on their radar.

“They also have a direct line to Bravo, and because ABC is part of Disney, a lot of favors can be asked.

“The show also reaches out to Gypsy Rose Blanchard, because she is such a lightning rod and would be a ratings bomb, just like someone from the cast of Baby Reindeer.

“The show thrives on controversy. They will ask anyone who is or will be in the news, including Caitlin Clark – even if it will be a firm ‘no’ like Shohei Ohtani, which they will never get.”

Let’s take a look at the talent productions vying to be signed for DWTS 2024.

JLo’s exes Cris Judd or Casper Smart

First up are JLo’s exes Cris and Casper. It is believed that production has suddenly taken an interest in the duo following media speculation that her marriage to Ben is in trouble.

Cris and Jennifer met in late 2000 when he was hired to dance in her music video for Love Don’t Cost A Thing.

The relationship progressed quickly and the two married on September 29, 2001.

However, the whirlwind romance didn’t last long and they split in June 2002. The divorce became official the following year.

Cris then moved on and married Kelly A. Wolfe in Laguna Beach, California, in November 2009, and in September 2013 they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Vivienne.

In a 2019 interview, Cris admitted that the former couple had not stayed in each other’s lives after their divorce.

“Man, I’m so far away from her,” he said at the time. “I just wish her the best.”

JLo met Caspar in 2011 – he was 13 years her junior – when he was a backup dancer on her tour.

The former couple was together for five years before finally going their separate ways for good in August 2016.

A year after their divorce, Casper seemed to hint that they had ended things on good terms: “I want nothing but the best, and love, you know?”

Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark has taken the basketball world by storm this year. after becoming the all-time leading scorer (men’s or women’s) in Division 1 history.

She was selected by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft in April, skyrocketing her career.

In April, DailyMail.com reported that Caitlin, 22, had landed a spot on DWTS.

An insider said at the time that she refused to participate in the series, but the producers did not relent.

“Every offer you could get has been thrown her way,” an insider exclusively told DailyMail.com.

“The producers of Dancing with the Stars asked Caitlin to participate, but she respectfully declined.

“She’s focusing on the WNBA this summer and in the fall when DWTS returns, Caitlin will pursue some other opportunities and pursue those goals instead.

‘She’s not against doing reality shows, but DWTS won’t bring much to the table, much to ABC’s chagrin, because they really wanted her and would have gone to great lengths to get her on the show – but that’s it Just no. going to happen.’

Could she be persuaded to take charge of the ballroom?

Baby reindeer cast

Breakout Baby Reindeer stars Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning are also on the radar of DWTS bosses after the show quickly captivated the entire world.

Richard, who wrote the critically acclaimed Netflix drama, plays the main character with his name changed to Donny Dunn, while Jessica plays Martha Scott, a representation of his real-life stalker Fiona Harvey.

The seven-part show blew up at the streaming giant almost immediately after it premiered on Netflix on April 11, 2024.

Since its release, Baby Reindeer has been viewed more than 56 million times through May 8, making it Netflix’s most popular content this year.

It’s also on track to become the most streamed show of all time on Netflix – so it’s understandable that DWTS bosses are keen to jump on the tailcoat of success by signing one of the cast members.

In addition to Baby Reindeer becoming a ratings success, the drama also made headlines in recent days after it was revealed that the real Martha is suing Netflix for $170 million in damages, claiming the series allowed viewers to put her in the really detectable. life – and that she is now being inundated with abuse.

Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani is also on the list of names DWTS producers hope to land.

In March, the popular baseball player made headlines when it was revealed that his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara had stolen $17 million from him to pay off his gambling debts.

Ippei is said to have placed bets on international football, the NBA, the NFL and college football.

Shohei broke his silence on the scandal at the time, saying he was “very saddened and shocked” that his interpreter had stolen from him.

“I never bet on baseball or any other sport, never asked anyone to do it on my behalf and never went through a bookmaker,” he said.

“In short, Ippei stole money from my account and told lies.”

Mizuhara recently pleaded guilty to bank fraud and signing a false tax return, which could land him in prison for more than 30 years.

In recent weeks it was also announced that the shocking story will be broadcast on television.

This show follows the story of Ohtani and his rise to become one of the most famous baseball players in the world, as well as the scandal that upended his career.

Joan Vassos

Golden Bachelorette star Joan Vassos is also being eyed to join the new series.

Last month, the 61-year-old reality star was announced as ABC’s first-ever Golden Bachelorette, after previously appearing on the network’s season of The Golden Bachelor.

During the show she had vied for Gerry Turner’s heart, but ultimately decided to leave the trial early to care for her daughter.

Joann, a private school administrator from Rockville, Maryland, was married to her husband John for 32 years until his death in 2021 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

They had four children together and Joan is now also a grandmother of two.

In her spare time she enjoys listening to Elton John music, cooking and spending time with her dog.

The very first Golden Bachelor debuted last year and delivered the largest multi-platform viewership for the franchise since 2020, according to Variety.

Although Joan’s new series airs on Wednesdays this fall, there may be a gap in her schedule that allows her to test her ballroom skills on DWTS.