Las Vegas Weekly

March 9, 2009 · 9:13 AM

ABC confirms Holly Madison and Melissa Rycroft are on DWTS

By Robin Leach

Daredevil performer Steve-O will compete in the eighth season of Dancing With the Stars with professional dancer Lacey Schwimmer.

Photo: ABC TV

Television viewers expecting to see singer-songwriter Jewel and Access Hollywood host Nancy O’Dell on tonight’s premiere of Season 8 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars will get their wish -- but the ladies have been KO’d from the competition. Jewel has been diagnosed with a fractured tibia in both legs, and Nancy suffered a torn meniscus. The injuries were sustained during rehearsals.

However, they will appear on the two-hour special to discuss their injuries and reveal who their replacements will be. Vegas DeLuxe reported over the weekend that they will be The Girls Next Door star Holly Madison and Melissa Rycroft, the jilted ex-Dallas Cowboys cheerleader on The Bachelor. ABC has confirmed their participation, and the newcomers will be paired with professional dancers Tony Dovolani and Dmitry Chaplin, who were originally paired with Jewel and Nancy.

“Like most sports, dancing can be a demanding, physical activity. Each participant of Dancing With the Stars warrants in contract that they are physically fit enough to participate in the competition. We love and appreciate Nancy and Jewel’s competitive spirit, drive and desire to perform their best. Though we share in their disappointment that they can no longer continue, their physical well-being takes precedent above all else. We thank them both for giving it their all and wish them a quick and full recovery,” said Conrad Green, the show’s executive producer.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Nancy O'Dell tapes Access Hollywood at CES 2009.

“When the doctors told me my injuries were so severe that I couldn’t walk, let alone compete, I was devastated that I couldn’t continue the show,” Jewel said. “I initially dismissed the pain as soreness from the six- to eight-hour daily rehearsals, so I was completely shocked by the diagnosis. The doctor just said, ‘You’re done dancing.’ … I have every intention of being at Dancing With the Stars this season supporting my husband, Ty, and his partner, Chelsie (Hightower).”

Jewel’s husband, rodeo champ Ty Murray, remains a contestant on the program, though he said it’s “a huge bummer” that his wife had to withdraw. “That’s a big part of the reason why we did the show,” he said. “It was a chance for us to work together and go through this together.”

She added: “I think I'll be able to sing this season, so I can sing for Ty on the show if I can’t dance for him. And I hope to dance one more time with Dmitry before the season ends, so we can vindicate ourselves.”

Photo: Courtesy

Ty Murray and Jewel.

Vegas DeLuxe has learned that Jewel will use crutches for tonight’s appearance and will indeed sing later this season. Her doctor has said she must remain seated during her concerts in L.A. on Thursday and Seattle on Saturday.

“Beyond disappointment doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about not being able to continue on Dancing With the Stars,” Nancy said. “It has been one of my favorite shows since Season One! But I have torn the meniscus in my knee in two places, which requires surgery. Dancing With the Stars was a great experience. I'll miss working with my partner, Tony Dovolani, and all the other wonderful people on the amazing production.”

Meantime, my backstage sources tell me that the most surprising contestant is the tamed-down, diligent and dedicated Jackass wild man Stevie-O. On his blog under his headline of Shameless Solicitation, he wrote, “I think I’m ready to surprise many people with my waltz performance on Monday night’s season premiere. … If you all want to call and text in votes for me, I’d love that! (I wasn't planning on asking people to vote for me, but I just did ... haha!).

There is no elimination this week because of the change in the lineup of stars. Vegas DeLuxe will be back here this evening with “spoiler alert’ news from the broadcast, and at first daylight tomorrow, we’ll have coverage from Night One!

Share This