Dancing With the Stars has seen participation from many major figures in entertainment, but some stars are not ready to grace the dance floor.
In a September 2025 episode of the “Sorry We’re Cyrus” podcast, Brandi Cyrus disclosed that her mother Tish Cyrus is apprehensive about participating in the live show on ABC.
“I genuinely think she’d excel on Dancing [With the Stars]. But she insists, ‘It’s live. I can’t do it.’ I believe you could, though,” Brandi remarked, to which Tish responded, “There’s no way. Not in a live setting.”
While Tish shies away from competing, her ex-husband Billy Ray Cyrus took a stab at the competition on season 4 in 2007. The “Achy Breaky Heart” artist, alongside pro dancer Karina Smirnoff, finished in fifth place. (Tish filed for divorce from Billy Ray in 2022 after nearly three decades of marriage.)
Continue reading to discover more celebrities who have declined the chance to compete on Dancing With the Stars:
Tish Cyrus
Tish Cyrus Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival
In a September 2025 podcast episode with Brandi, Tish expressed that she “could never” participate in Dancing With the Stars.
Caitlyn Jenner
When co-host Alfonso Ribeiro was asked about the possibility of Jenner or former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe joining the program, he mentioned to E! News that Jenner was “not going to participate” in Dancing With the Stars. On the other hand, Bristowe won the mirrorball trophy partnered with Artem Chigvintsev in season 29 back in 2020.
Tiffani Thiessen
The former Saved by the Bell actress revealed that she has declined invitations to Dancing With the Stars multiple times. “I’ve been asked a few times,” she stated in an interview with The Huffington Post in 2017, “but I always respond that I am an actor, not a dancer.”
Bobby Flay
<pThe Food Network star revealed to Zagat in 2013 that he turned down the invitation, emphasizing his desire not to be labeled as “that guy from Dancing With the Stars.” Additionally, E! News noted that Flay joked his ex-wife Stephanie March would “divorce me if I participated,” referring to their split in 2015.
Jamie Lee Curtis
The star known for Freaky Friday stated in an interview with E! News in 2011 that she would “never do” Dancing With the Stars but offered a caveat if she were to join.
“Here’s how I would approach Dancing With the Stars,” she mentioned. “Only under the condition that they offered me a million dollars for charity. I’d only consider it if there was a significant charity aspect involved.”
Paula Deen
In a 2010 interview with Extra, Deen expressed her disinterest saying, “No! Fat girls don’t look good sweating.”
Gayle King
King shared in 2010 with Us that she turned down the offer to appear on Dancing With the Stars on three occasions.
“I think it’s best to keep my public humiliation to a minimum,” she added. “I would never want to embarrass my children—or myself! I can’t dance.”
