File this under: mash-ups that actually make sense once you hear it. Savannah Bananas outfielder Jackson Olson is swapping trick plays and dance breaks in the outfield for actual ballroom routines on Dancing With the Stars this fall — and he sounds genuinely stoked about it.
The news landed Tuesday, May 12, and Olson, 28, showed up on Good Morning America the next morning (Wednesday, May 13) to talk it through. The short version: this was not always part of his game plan, but somewhere between baseball and viral videos, he talked himself into it.
'I was a shy kid that never danced, never put myself out there, never entertained and found a passion for it. Now, I kind of manifested it.'
Olson said the DWTS thing actually started as a bit. Last year he posted a couple of TikToks joking that he was telling his coach he was joining the show. Then the comments rolled in, and the joke stopped feeling like a joke. Cut to now: he is officially one of the mirrorball hopefuls for season 35, which ABC is set to kick off this fall.
What we know so far
- Announcement timeline: word broke Tuesday, May 12; Olson talked about it on GMA Wednesday, May 13.
- Age and team: Olson is 28 and plays for the viral Savannah Bananas.
- DWTS season: season 35 is slated for this fall.
- Other confirmed celebs: reality TV names Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller are also in the mix; the rest of the cast is still under wraps.
- Personal life: Olson recently went public with his girlfriend, Maggie Sajak — yes, Pat Sajak's daughter. She already hyped his ballroom debut on Instagram, basically telling the dance floor to brace itself.
If you are curious how a country-hopping, long-distance relationship fits into a fall packed with rehearsals and live shows, Olson says it is all about planning. He told Us Weekly earlier this month that they are on opposite coasts doing very different things, but they carve out time to see each other and stack up those early-relationship memories while it still feels new. In other words: schedules, flights, and making it fun.
As for Maggie showing up at a Bananas game, Olson admitted it cranks up the nerves a bit — the whole 'do not strike out' pressure — then laughed it off because, yes, he strikes out a fair amount and life goes on. At this point, he says everyone he cares about has seen him do the full Bananas experience, so it is smoother sailing. If a night at the plate goes sideways, so be it; this is not the World Series.
Bottom line: baseball’s most theatrical outfielder stepping onto DWTS feels like a natural next inning. We will see if that TikTok manifestation turns into a mirrorball.