Human emoji on the dance floor! Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez is the latest familiar face to join the season 23 cast of Dancing With the Stars, Us Weekly can confirm.
The 16-year-old gymnast will be joining the likes of Amber Rose, R&B singer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, The Fosters alum Jake T. Austin, Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick, Little Women: LA star Terra Jole, General Hospital actress Emma Samms and her fellow Olympian Ryan Lochte on the dance floor in her quest for the mirrorball trophy.
“The thought of it sounds really cool,” Hernandez told Us at the Olympics earlier this month, of being linked to DWTS. “We have the tour coming up, so we’ll see what goes on with that. But I love Dancing With the Stars; I watched it all the time when I was little.”
Sources previously told Us that Hernandez’s teammate and good friend Simone Biles was up for consideration for the hit dance competition, but ultimately, Hernandez got the coveted spot.
“They would love to cast some Olympians if possible,” a source told Us earlier this month.
Fellow gymnast Shawn Johnson brought her A-game for season 8 of Dancing With the Stars in 2009, sweeping the competition with her winning smile and precise dance moves. In 2012, she returned for the all-star edition, placing second behind Melissa Rycroft.
The full lineup of competitors will be announced on Good Morning America on Tuesday, August 30, but at the very least, Hernandez already has one important dancing pro in her corner.
“I absolutely adore @lzhernandez02 just gorgeous #starpower #needadanceteacher?” DWTS vet Mark Ballas tweeted on August 10. “#RioOlympics2016.”
