'Bachelor' Star Melissa Rycroft Joining 'Dancing'

Access Hollywood - March 8, 2009 7:02 PM PDT
Story photo: 'Bachelor' Star Melissa Rycroft Joining 'Dancing''Bachelor' contestant Melissa RycroftABCAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- "The Bachelor" star Melissa Rycroft will join "Dancing With the Stars" for the ABC show's Monday premiere, Access Hollywood has confirmed, although ABC would not confirm the news yet.

The casting was first reported by People on Sunday.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'Dancing With The Stars' Season 8 Cast Revealed!

The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, who was dumped on the "After the Final Rose" special by Jason Mesnick after he proposed to her in the "Bachelor" season finale, will replace Access's Nancy O'Dell , who had to leave the competition due to a torn meniscus in her knee. She'll be dancing with pro Tony Dovolani.

In addition to her cheerleading skills, Melissa has a background in ballet -- which could help the late addition make up for lost rehearsal time.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'Dancing With The Stars': The Portrait Shots!

Former "The Girls Next Door" star Holly Madison is rumored to be filling the show's other spot, left by singer Jewel , who also exited the competition early due to injuries.

ABC had no comment on the news when reached by Access on Sunday, noting that additional casting announcements would be made on Monday's show.

The eighth season of "Dancing" premieres on Monday at 8 PM.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Inside Nancy O'Dell's 'Dancing With The Stars' Rehearsal
PLAY IT NOW: Access Exclusive: Nancy O'Dell Talks 'Dancing' Injury
PLAY IT NOW: Melissa Rycroft Talks 'Bachelor' Heartache On 'Ellen'

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Dancing With the Stars - The Bachelor - Reality TV - Celebrities - ABC

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comments 1-10 of 704  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Chris
    thats showbiz
    report abuseposted July 26, 2009 4:42 AM PDT
  • Anna S
    HOPE AND PRAY ALL IS WELL!!
    report abuseposted July 21, 2009 3:05 AM PDT
  • Cindy K
    im sorry jason dumped mellisa but he should of had went with kelly anyways. she is more for him. i guess you have to be dumped by a guy on TV. to be somebody. im sure she will make it big by all of this.
    report abuseposted March 11, 2009 11:29 PM PDT
  • Gee
    HE WANTS MEL BACK! LOL funny...
    report abuseposted March 10, 2009 11:09 PM PDT
  • Gee
    HE WANT MEL BACK!!!! LOL LOL.
    report abuseposted March 10, 2009 11:05 PM PDT
  • Kathy
    LOOOOOOVVVE YOU, MELISSA! JASON IS A PRICK. YOU ARE AWESOME ON DWTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXO
    report abuseposted March 10, 2009 10:55 PM PDT
  • Julia H
    jason is great!! I am sooo glAD HE PICKED MOLLY NOW!!!
    report abuseposted March 10, 2009 10:26 PM PDT
  • hahahaha
    oh my gosh, Jason is such a fake.........he even got me thinking he really "loved her"
    report abuseposted March 10, 2009 10:17 PM PDT
  • Doo Dah
    Wow Jean W I wonder what you really think... Geez
    report abuseposted March 10, 2009 10:17 PM PDT
  • StreetPeaches
    Marriage is soooo sacred I hear. Really???? Any bimbo can marry any jerk on TV. The "sacred" argument for breeder-only marriages don't float.
    report abuseposted March 10, 2009 9:41 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 704  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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