Breaking Down the Dancing With the Stars Cast By the Odds

DANCING WITH THE STARS – SIMONE BILES WITH SASHA FARBER – The celebrity cast of “Dancing with the Stars” are donning their glitzy wardrobe and slipping on their dancing shoes as they ready themselves for their first dance on the ballroom floor, as the season kicks off on MONDAY, MARCH 20 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Craig Sjodin)

Sasha Farber: Simon Biles, the Olympic gymnast

This is the one we knew was coming from last summer. That was when Simone Biles showed up in Rio, already carrying the label of Greatest of All Time, and won a ridiculous four gold medals. We knew this show would want her. Her name even flew around for last season. Until she said she couldn’t do it in the fall, but that she was all for doing it when she was free. She even said beforehand she wanted Sasha for her partner, and they’ve obliged.

He’s got to be really happy she asked for him. The skillset required for gymnastics is one that serves gymnast competitors well in the ballroom. We’ve had five appearances of gymnasts in the show (Shawn Johnson also competed in the All-Star season). All five saw at least a semi-final run, and two gymnasts have won. The reigning champion is the teammate that competed last season in Biles’ place. Expression isn’t necessarily something they have developed, but Biles has plenty of that too. No one who has watched her floor routine from the Olympic season will have any doubt of that. Nor should getting votes be any trouble. Being the Greatest of All Time, Biles has plenty of love from the gymnastics fans, and will only get love from even more people in the ballroom.

Most seasons these two would be the favorites. But this season we have an even bigger ringer…