What do you do after you fight an AK-47-toting madman, save the lives of a train-load of strangers and win two prestigious medals of valor? Join Dancing with the Stars, duh.
For those who have never seen the show in its 21-year run, Dancing with the Stars is the reality television show where obscure celebrities partner with professional dancers and compete to be famous again. This toe-tapping scheme to stardom ensnared Alek Skarlatos, the Oregon National Guardsman who helped tackle and disarm a terrorist on a Paris-bound train.
Since his moment of heroism in France, Skarlatos has been showered with praise and medals of heroism, including the French Legion of Honour and the Soldier’s Medal. He has also appeared on Good Morning America.
Given all the media attention surrounding this 22 year-old American hero, it isn’t shocking that Stars offered Skarlatos a spot on this year’s show. And, given the fact that Stars pays its contestants roughly $125,000 per season, we can’t fault Skarlatos for taking the cash either. Even heroes need to pay the bills.
During the show, Skarlatos will be partner with Lindsay Arnold, a former contestant of So You Think You Can Dance and four-time troupe member of Stars. He will also join a diverse cast of semi-relevant public figures seeking to simultaneously claw their way onto the A-list and make a quick buck. Notable contestants include butter queen Paula Dean, animal princess Bindi Irwin and jilted Backstreet Boy Nick Carter.