ABC just announced on Wednesday (June 17) that Dancing with the Stars is on the fall schedule. The network hasn’t announced the cast yet (or a premiere date!) But the first celebrity contestant was revealed earlier this week when Bachelor host Chris Harrison officially invited former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe to compete on the upcoming season.
Kaitlyn asked to join DWTS 5 years ago, Bachelor honcho said no
It was a full circle moment for Kaitlyn. When she finished her season five years ago, she hoped producers would invite her to join the DWTS cast like many Bachelor and Bachelorettes before her. Bachelors, in particular, often appeared on the show after their respective seasons.
However, the executive producer of Bachelor, Mike Fleiss said no. Some have speculated that he was still mad that she spoiled her season when she accidently uploaded a photo of herself with her then fiance Shawn Booth IN BED before the season was over. OOPS.
But maybe Fleiss worried that tearing Kaitlyn away from her new relationship for long days of rehearsal and TV appearances would harm it. In anycase, Kaitlyn was NOT HAPPY with Fleiss’ decision to deny her DWTS. Eventually, Kaitlyn and Shawn split up. However, Kaitlyn has a new beau, and he’s in the Bachelor nation family.
Or perhaps Kaitlyn dating Jason Tartick from Becca Kufrin’s season made her useful again to the Bachelor franchise. So why not let bygones be bygones and by fulfilling her 5 year long wish?
ANYWAY. Kaitlyn shared her thoughts in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight (watch below)
The male leads kept getting invited, and I couldn’t
Kaitlyn feels vindicated. “I think it goes to show that if you’re resilient and you always are strong in what you believe in and fight for what you want, and as long you’re a good person doing those things even if it takes five years, something good will come from it.”
“I obviously had a few situations with Fleiss where we bumped heads and didn’t get along or didn’t agree and I did go through a point where I was super frustrated because these male leads kept getting it and I was told I couldn’t,” said Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn eventually got to a point where she let it go, but her fans wouldn’t let it go. “I think all my podcast listeners and people that follow me [have] been rallying for it and wanting to see it happen.”
Jason explained that Kaitlyn pursued dancing instead of college. She wanted to go professional. Her mother was a dancer.
I don’t care if I get paid Kaitlyn told Fleiss, I don’t care if it’s on TV
“Dancing is what brings me the most joy in life and it’s something I’ve done since I was little,” Kaitlyn explained. “I remember saying to Mike Fleiss. ‘I don’t care if it’s on TV. I don’t care if I get paid. To be in a dance studio with professional dancers eight to ten hours a day, doing what I love to do at this point of my life would just make me so happy.”
After Chris’s invitation, Kaitlyn sent a thank you email to Fleiss and reality chief Rob Mills. Fleiss responded that he was so happy to hear from her and would love to have a conversation. “I think we’re friends now!” Kaitlyn said.
