'Dancing with the Stars' season 23 air date, cast news 2016: Ryan Lochte joining?
Rumor has it that Olympics swimmer Ryan Lochte is joining "Dancing with the Stars" season 23. The news comes days after he admitted to fabricating his story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio.
USA Today cites a source claiming that the 12-time Olympic medalist has inked a contract to be part of the dance competition this season and that the negotiations were already happening.
Lochte confessed that he "overexaggerated" his claim and it was discovered that the story was made to cover up the fact that he and his three other teammates trashed a bathroom gas station and urinated at the side of the building and were called out by a security guard.
"If I didn't over-exaggerate the story... none of this would have happened," Lochte told the "Today" anchor Matt Lauer in an interview where he officially addressed the issue.
"We wouldn't be sitting here discussing this. I left certain things out. That's why I'm in this mess," he continued, adding that his intoxication and immature behavior are to blame.
Although it is still unknown if Lochte will appear on "Dancing with the Stars" season 23, BuddyTV says that he might want to try to improve his image.
Many stars have done so, albeit years before they were embroiled in controversies. The site says that Lochte's case is different as the issue broke out mere weeks before the premiere of the competition.
Also, cases like this are more of issues on public image rather than crimes, even as minor as Lochte has involved himself into. The aforementioned publication deems it too soon for Lochte to redeem himself on TV, much less "Dancing with the Stars."
But as what the source claimed, "Dancing with the Stars" season 23 struck a deal with Lochte before the controversy. It is a mystery if it will push through knowing the gold medalist's issues.
"Dancing with the Stars" season 23 will premiere Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
