In a surprising new twist, Jenna Johnson — two-time Dancing with the Stars pro and reigning champion — has reportedly started campaigning behind the scenes for her next celebrity partner to be either Jason Kelce or Demi Lovato.
The rumors began swirling after insiders on set mentioned Jenna has been more vocal than usual about her “dream casting choices,” and the name Jason Kelce came up more than once. The Hollywood Reporter
Why Jason Kelce?
Jason Kelce, the newly retired NFL star and current ESPN commentator, has already been floated in media circles as a possible DWTS contestant. The Sun+2The Hollywood Reporter+2 Jenna admires his athleticism — she believes having a strong, physically capable celebrity would give her more room to design bold lifts, daring spins, and impressive choreography.
In an interview from earlier interview, Jenna said she loves pairing with athletes because “they are not afraid to work hard” and that she wants someone who can “be chucked in the air, thrown around” without hesitation. People.com
If Jason agreed, it would mark a big crossover: a football star meeting ballroom dance. Fans would likely go wild.
Or What About Demi Lovato?
The Demi Lovato angle is newer, and there’s less confirmation — but rumors suggest Jenna is imagining a very different style of routine if Demi signs on. Demi’s strong stage presence, musical roots, and dramatic flair could allow for theatrical, emotionally powerful performances.
Jenna reportedly sees Demi as someone who could bring storytelling, edge, and emotional connection to the dance floor — qualities she loves to explore in her choreography.
What’s Holding It Back?
There are practical challenges:
- Scheduling & availability: Jason is now busy with broadcasting duties, and Demi has her own touring, recording, or acting commitments.
- Casting approval: DWTS producers have a say, and they often balance star power, diversity, audience pull, and storyline arcs.
- Dance readiness: Neither is a trained dancer, so the learning curve would be steep. Jenna would have to build routines that suit their strengths while masking weaknesses.
Will It Happen?
At this point, it’s more speculative than confirmed. But with Jenna’s competitive spirit and her track record of pushing creative boundaries, it wouldn’t be wise to entirely count it out.
If she can swing either Jason Kelce or Demi Lovato, she might just deliver one of the most talked-about seasons in DWTS history.
Let me know if you’d like me to dig further — maybe get “insiders say” updates or reactions from fans!