Follow Jamie Lynn Spears into the ballroom, because the singer-actress is joining season 32 of Dancing With the Stars! Good Morning America revealed on Tuesday (Sept. 12) that the star will be showing off her dance moves to compete for the mirrorball trophy alongside pro hoofer Alan Bersten.
“I don’t know if one can be 100 percent ready to take on something this big,” she admitted to host Lara Spencer. “I didn’t realize what a commitment it is, but it definitely is. I’m ready to challenge myself, and also being able to do it for a reason that means a lot to me while everybody in my community’s on strike in SAG. I’ve had this unique opportunity where I was offered a chance to work when my community cannot work. So I figured, ‘I’ll do this, and I’ll donate my weekly salary to SAG, WGA — just give back to them in a time where they can’t even give to themselves.”
The writers’ strike has been going on for months, with the Writers Guild of America taking to the picket line on May 2, and SAG-AFTRA on July 14. Members are seeking fair compensation and better working conditions.
“Typically, I’d be working on different ventures, but I think it’s just important that I have this opportunity, and if I get up there, and even if I embarrass myself, I’m doing it for a good reason,” Spears, who found fame as a teen on Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101, said later in the interview. “Hopefully, [I’m] giving back to a community that’s literally given back to me since I was a little girl.”
The “Follow Me” singer, whose big sister is pop superstar Britney Spears, says she’s also looking forward to how the ballroom competition — which has been known to get contestants into fantastic physical shape during the competition due to the long hours of practice — will improve her physique. “I’m looking forward to that!” she shared. “Maybe when I come back here, I’ll be a dress size smaller!”
Bersten, who won the trophy in season 28 alongside The Bachelorette‘s Hannah Brown, said that the pair has already had their first rehearsal. “It’s been great,” he told Spencer. “Jamie Lynn is so hard-working and so dedicated. … We get along so well!”
Spears will go into the competition with a little bit of dance experience. “I grew up with the traditional sense of dancing. Like, everyone does tap, jazz, ballet,” the 32-year-old shared. “Then I went more of the cheerleader route, so it’s a different kind of dancing. And by the way, ballroom altogether, every little thing matters, and I think you have to fully commit from the top of your head to the tip of your toes.”
After their appearance on ABC’s long-running morning show, Spears and Bersten also shared a video of themselves in rehearsal on Instagram.
The singer-actress and Bersten are the first pair that Dancing With the Stars has announced for season 32. Previously, the show revealed that Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix will also be competing, but has not yet revealed who her pro partner is. The full cast will be revealed Wednesday (Sept. 13) on GMA.
Dancing With the Stars kicks off its new season Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. on ABC and Disney+.
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