Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy think one contestant from down under will make it up to the top.
Indeed, as the Dancing With the Stars couple prepares for season 34 to premiere on Sept. 16, they believe that Robert Irwin may be this year’s favorite contestant.
“There’s something about positivity and energy, and his is contagious,” Jenna told E! News‘ Will Marfuggi at Variety‘s Power of Young Hollywood gala on Aug. 7. “It just is. And they’re such a great family. So I’m just excited to watch his journey. He is going to be an incredible personality on our show.”
And Robert does have some experience with the dance competition since his older sister Bindi Irwin took home the mirrorball trophy on season 21 in 2015.
Jenna recalled, “We’ve been such big fans of Robert Irwin since he was little, coming on set to watch Bindi perform.” (For more with Jenna and the attendees at Variety‘s Power of Young Hollywood, tune into E! News, Monday, Aug. 11 at 11 p.m.)
The dancer—who won last season with partner Joey Graziadei—noted, however, that contestants are all “going to be key players this season.”
Jenna added, “So, it will be really interesting to see how the audience interacts and responds to them.”
Along with Robert, Alix Earle and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt are ready to cha-cha to the dancefloor this fall.
As for when viewers will notice who may become the fan favorite? According to Val, it’ll be easy to spot.
“I think it’s obvious when there’s a frontrunner pre-season, but there’s still so many elements,” he explained to E! at the Los Angeles event. “I hate to mention it—injury, but also just the chemistry, the vibe, the growth, the partnership.”
As he put it, “There’s so many things, so many variables that have to blossom.”
However, it’s anyone’s game with the pro—who, along with Phaedra Parks, was eliminated in week five—emphasizing, “You can’t possibly predict an entire season based on just the lineup.”
Instead, Val teased, “I’m the front runner.”
As we await more details about season 34, take a look back at all the stars who made their way onto the ballroom floor last fall.
Anna Delvey
The inspriation behind Inventing Anna traded her ankle bracelet for dancing shoes alongside partner Ezra Sosa. However, the fake heiress was eliminated during the season’s Sept. 24 episode, with her saying that she learned “nothing” in her now-infamous, one-word farewell speech.
Ilona Maher
The Olympic rugby player was ready to ruck up the dance floor with pro Alan Bersten, finishing as the runner-up.
Chandler Kinney
The Disney Channel star tried to dance her way to the top with partner Brandon Armstrong and ultimately placed third.
Brooks Nader
The model and her partner Gleb Savchenko were ready to strut along the ballroom, but took their final bow on Oct. 15.
Reginald VelJohnson
All that mattered for the Family Matters alum and partner Emma Slater was taking home the Mirrorball Trophy. However, their journey was cut short during the second week of competition on Oct. 8.
Eric Roberts
The Dark Knight star was partnered with Britt Stewart. They were eliminated in the second week alongside Reginald and Emma.
Joey Graziadei
The Bachelor alum has found his rose between thorns in partner JennaJohnson, winning season 33.
Tori Spelling
The alum of Beverly Hills, 90210 was oh so ready to dance alongside Pasha Pashkov. Unfortunately, the two last only one week and was cut from competition in a double elimination alongside Anna and Ezra.
Danny Amendola
The NFL pro and partner Witney Carson sure scored a touchdown on the dance floor, placing fifth in the finale.
Dwight Howard
The NBA star hoped to stand head and shoulders above the competition with partner Daniella Karagach, but was eliminated from the competition on Nov. 12.
Stephen Nedoroscik
The Olympian had his sights set on another medal—or should we say, Mirrorball Trophy—with partner Rylee Arnold, placing fourth in the Nov. 26 finale.
Phaedra Parks
The Traitors alum was sure to weed out the competition with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, but ended up getting cut from the lineup Oct. 22.
Jenn Tran
Though Bachelorette star and partner Sasha Farber were full bloom in the ballroom, they were eliminated from the competition on Oct. 29.
