In what may be the worst-kept casting secret of Dancing With the Stars Season 20, Bachelor Chris Soules is reportedly that DWTS mystery contestant who had yet to be announced. Though host Tom Bergerson had played coy in the recent DWTS 2015 spring season cast announcement, he threw out a hint and most had figured that Soules was the last contestant who would be announced. Now, it seems, it’s a done deal.
According to Us Weekly , Chris Soules is indeed moving from The Bachelor to take that DWTS mystery contestant spot this spring. E! Online shares that they’ve confirmed Chris’ addition to the cast, as well. Reports indicate that he will be partnered with Witney Carson , who won Season 19 last fall with Alfonso Ribeiro. Soules will have some stiff competition this spring, with gymnast Nastia Liukin, war hero Noah Galloway, and Rumer Willis all set to compete, as well, in the cast comprised of 12 celebrities.
As fans know, Soules is not the first “Bachelor Nation” star to move on to DWTS . Trista Sutter competed in Season 1 and other seasons have featured Sean Lowe, Jake Pavelka, and Melissa Rycroft. In fact, Melissa was brought back for the show’s first “All-Star” season, and she won with partner Tony Dovolani.
Soules has reportedly chatted with former Bachelor Sean Lowe to gather some advice. Sean competed on DWTS in 2013 and he’s since shared that the experience was difficult on him, his fiancée, Catherine Giudici, and their new relationship. That season, Sean was partnered with Peta Murgatroyd, who will be dancing with football player Michael Sam this season.
Sean didn’t sit back and wait for Chris to contact him for advice, though. Lowe recently shared via Patheos that if Soules did indeed choose to tackle DWTS, he should be careful. Sean says that Chris should learn from his own foolish mistakes. The former Bachelor star admits that it was a struggle for Catherine to be with him in Los Angeles, but on her own in many senses due to the heavy time commitment of competing on Dancing With the Stars .
At this point, Chris Soules has narrowed down his bachelorettes to Whitney Bischoff and Becca Tilley, with the finale airing on Monday, March 9. Bachelor spoilers point toward Whitney getting that final rose and engagement ring, so many will be anxious to see if Bischoff heads to Los Angeles to watch as her man competes for the mirror-ball trophy.
Can Chris Soules and Whitney Bischoff weather the storm of the media attention and dance competition that will come from wrapping The Bachelor 2015 season and jumping right in to Dancing With the Stars , if all of the reports are indeed true? Will viewers embrace seeing Chris Soules in that DWTS mystery contestant spot? Fans will find out soon as the new season of DWTS premieres on March 16.
[Photos by Jason Kempin / Valerie Macon /Getty Images]