Celebrities Who Turned Down Dancing with the Stars

Don't expect to see actress Kirstie Alley on Dancing With the Stars anytime soon, despite rumors that she would be part of the Season 11 cast. According to her Twitter account, she claims she's "too chicken" and is "NOT doing DWTS this season" although she does add, "maybe next season, if I'm invited again."

Whether from nerves or just an aversion to dancing, many celebrities have turned down offers to appear on Dancing With the Stars. The Hollywood Reporter released yesterday a list of celebrities who turned down Dancing With the Stars both for Season 11 and in the past seasons.

Before Joel McHale rose to higher stardom with his hit sitcom Community and major movies like The Informant, he was the host of E!'s The Soup. In 2008, McHale was offered a spot on Dancing With the Stars and declined.

Other celebrities who turned down Dancing With the Stars in the past are comedian and The Price is Right host Drew Carey, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, legal clerk and environmental activist Erin Brockovich, and British billionaire and adventurer (he's made several world record attempts) Richard Branson.

For season 11, casting directors tried to secure actor Sylvester Stallone, conservative political commentator Ann Coulter, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, comedian and Home Improvement actor Tim Allen and business woman and former sitcom star Suzanne Somers. However, they each declined the offer.

Why would celebrities turn down an offer to appear on Dancing With the Stars? Personal preference aside, some celebrities may not have the time or the inclination to commit to the grueling 6-hour-a day and later 8-hour-a-day rehearsal schedule. Some may not feel that appearing on a reality show would help their career. "People say no for a variety of reasons," executive producer Conrad Green told The Hollywood Reporter. "Some people like the show but think they suck at dancing. It's a lot easier to say no than it is to say yes."

Season 11 of Dancing With the Stars will premiere on ABC on Sept. 20.

Resources:
Bruce, Leslie and James Hibberd. "Who turned down 'Dancing With the Stars'" Hollywood Reporter
http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/09/who-turned-down-dancing-with-the-stars.html