Entertainment

Ranking The 'Dancing With The Stars' Season 20 Cast By Least To Most Likely To Take Home The Mirror Ball

The Dancing With the Stars Season 20 cast is filled with plenty of familiar faces, from an Olympian (Nastia Liukin) to a Hunger Games favorite (Willow Shields) and a party rocker (LMFAO's Redfoo). Although there are no huge standouts when it comes to super experienced dancers, based on previous winners and the current contestants' careers, I've ranked who could take home the Mirror Ball trophy based on first impressions alone. But hey, once the action starts on March 16 at 8 p.m. ET, it could be anyone's game — the best performances are when we're taken by surprise.

Images: Todd Wawrychuk/ABC; Getty Images (11)

by Alyse Whitney

11. Robert Herjavec

The Shark Tank star has loyal fans, but I’m not sure how far he’ll get with his dancing skills. He’s paired with returning favorite pro Kym Johnson, so who knows — maybe he’ll surprise us all.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

10. Patti LaBelle

If the “Save the Last Dance For Me” singer can dance as well as she can sing, she’s a shoo-in. The 70-year-old doesn’t have a lot of experience in the dancing department, but her partner Artem Chigvintsev is incredible and I think they’ll fit well together.

Rick Diamond/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

9. Suzanne Somers

Somers’ partner Tony Dovolani is always paired with older women, but he manages to take them very far on the show. Last season, he surprised everyone with Betsey Johnson, and I think the 68-year-old actress will do a great job if she just takes it Step by Step. (Ba-dum-ch.)

Theo Wargo/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

8. Charlotte McKinney

McKinney is a model mostly known for racy Carl’s Jr. ads, but her fit physique could help her in the competition. She’s paired with newer pro Keo Motsepe, so we’ll have to see what happens here.

Robin Marchant/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

7. Redfoo

Redfoo was a guest judge on DWTS, so he has a vague idea of what to do and what not to do. His partner Emma Slater has inventive choreography and managed to get Bill Engval to fourth place in Season 14, something no one expected. He kind of danced when he was on the show, which could give us a little preview of what’s to come.

Brendon Thorne/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

6. Noah Galloway

This incredible soldier is a double amputee who lost his left arm and leg during his second tour in Iraq. After seeing what Amy Purdy and Derek Hough did together on the show, I have no doubt that his partner Sharna Burgess will take him just as far in the competition. She’s an incredible choreographer.

Scott Olson/Getty Images News/Getty Images

5. Rumer Willis

Even though it isn’t a traditional musical, Willis just wrapped a run in For the Record: Tarantino, a show in Los Angeles, and is starring in a production of For the Record: John Hughes. She is also paired with Val Chmerkovskiy, who has made it to the the semi-finals three times and always works perfectly with his partners. Willis also co-starred with Val’s last partner Janel Parrish in Tarantino, so maybe they’ll even all team up this season.

AFP/AFP/Getty Images

4. Willow Shields

Shields is the youngest contestant ever to be on DWTS, but that isn’t a disadvantage. Her partner Mark Ballas also had a young partner last season with Duck Dynasty’s Sadie Robertson and they came in second place. It will be exciting to see what she can do, and Ballas is known for pushing his partners to be their best.

Jerod Harris/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

3. Michael Sam

Athletes have a history of going far on DWTS, and the first openly gay NFL player already has plenty of fans. The only time he’s been seen dancing was in a TMZ video of him showing off some moves at a club, but if that’s any indication of what’s to come, he’ll go far with partner Peta Murgatroyd.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

2. Nastia Liukin

Olympians also tend to win big on the show, as seen with Meryl Davis in Season 18. Liukin is also paired with five-time winner Derek Hough, so combining his dance skills with her gymnastic moves, they’re going to be tough to beat.

JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images

1. Riker Lynch

Lynch is actually Julianne and Derek Hough’s cousin, which gives him a major leg up, and he has a history of dance competitions and musicals. He is in a popular band, R5, and is a Disney star on Austin & Ally, both of which have huge fan bases of rabid tweens to vote for him. Right now, he’s the clear front runner with pro partner Allison Holker.

Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
111