It feels as though Season 21 of "Dancing With The Stars" just ended, but Season 22 cast rumors have already started about two months before the premiere. While nothing is set in stone just yet, a few names and hints have already been thrown around.
Back in November, before the previous season even wrapped up, rumors that Season 21 winner Bindi Irwin's little brother Robert was a possible recruitment, as HNGN previously reported. Robert is only 12 years old, but the producers are interested in bringing him on as they thought he could bring the same success and views as his older sister did. "Robert is being eyed off by the producers," Terri Irwin, their mother, told reporters at the time. He would be the youngest competitor to compete on the show following Willow Shields, who competed when she was 14.
"It would be a lot of fun-it would be pretty incredible," Robert added. "For us, this is completely different than anything we have ever done - I mean we are certainly not used to all these sparkles and rhinestones and heels so it's a really different situation to jumping on crocs and catching snakes in the mud."
Current "Bachelor" Ben Higgins is also one of the rumored contestants as "DWTS" is known for bringing on "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" contestants once their seasons come to an end, according to Gospel Herald. So far, Chris Soules, Sean Lowe, Jake Pavelka, Trista Stutter and Melissa Rycroft have all competed in the past. When asked if he would consider joining "DWTS," Higgins revealed that he would definitely be interested.
"I think I'm excited about what experiences are next in life," Higgins, 27, told E! News. "Just like I never expected to be on 'The Bachelorette,' I never expected to be the Bachelor, I don't know what to expect next and I'm open to anything. I have a great life. I love my life here in Denver. I don't want to change my life, but if there's opportunity to enhance it, I'm all for it!"
Last season we didn't see as many athletes as usual, as Victor Espinoza was the only athlete to compete, but N.Y. Giants running back Rashad Jennings hinted back in November that he'd also be interested and that he has been contacted by the shows' producers, according to TMZ. Jennings admitted that he's always dreamed of being on the show and that he's "confident he'll be the next big NFL star to jitterbug, waltz and samba on TV."
"Yes, we've had conversations," he said of his talk with the producers at the time. "We're gonna hold off a couple more days."
Italia Ricci, who is best known for her performance in "Chasing Life," has also hinted on social media that she could be joining Season 22.
"'If Gary Busey can do it, so can you!' - @alexavega trying to convince me to do @DancingABC," she tweeted in December.
ABC has not yet confirmed any of these possible candidates, but the full cast reveal is expected to come out sometime in March right before Season 22 of "Dancing With The Stars" premieres on ABC on March 21.
