Dancing with the Stars: Cast Breakdown

Allison Holker: Babyface, the older singer/songwriter

NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Singer Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds performs onstage at 2016 Essence Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 1, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

As a singer, Kenneth Edmonds, also known as Babyface, has never been the biggest name. He’s been around R&B for an eternity, but never as the guy who sang the biggest songs. Some might vaguely remember him as someone who did “Take a Bow” with Madonna. But it truly is remarkable to look at his resume as a songwriter and in other behind-the scenes roles, and see how much he’s been involved in. He’s been involved in multiple hits of everyone from Boyz II Men, Whitney Houston, & Toni Braxton to Ariana Grande in more recent years. Unfortunately, that isn’t the kind of role that gets the attention of people who vote, though anyone who kept watching after Wanya Morris appeared last year might still vote for him. That’s even more unfortunate when Allison Holker probably hasn’t built much of a fanbase either.

While he probably has some movement experience, and might have been a favorite when he was younger, his age might also keep him from dancing too well. This is a guy with talent, but probably not the talent of staying on Dancing with the Stars for very long. Still, he could always surprise and be good. It’s not unknown for the older singers to do that. But even then, will he get enough votes for it to make a difference?

Next: This is not the kind of partner Derek usually gets