This is one of a series of brief articles meant to introduce the DWTS viewer to each of the season 13 celebrities. Until Dancing with the Stars begins and we get our TV introductions, this will have to do!
Why You Know HimChaz Bono was born Chastity Bono, the only daughter of pop stars Sonny Bono and Cher. Even as a child, Chastity was well-known for multiple appearances on
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and
The Sonny & Cher Show.
Most of Chaz Bono's fame has come from LGBT activism over the years, with a long history of political and social campaigning for that cause. In 2006, he appeared on
Celebrity Fit Club as a team captain. Chaz was the producer and subject of a 2011 documentary,
Becoming Chaz, which aired on OWN and garnered three Emmy nominations.
Although Bono had come out to her parents as a lesbian at age 18, the press only got the official statement in 1995. Chastity Bono underwent gender transition between 2008 and 2010, legally becoming Chaz Bono in May of 2010.
Why He's on Dancing with the StarsYou could go with the optimistic answer here and say that Chaz qualified because of his famous parents, previous reality-show appearances and multiple Emmy nominations for
Becoming Chaz. Or you could take the cynical approach and say that the producers wanted a controversial figure who would bring in ratings.
Honestly, my money is mostly on the latter.
Dancing/Performance ExperienceAlthough Chaz released a 1993 album with the band, Ceremony, that seems to be the extent of his major performance experience. Those that know him have stated that Chaz Bono isn't much of a dancer.
DWTS PotentialChaz seems unlikely to win
Dancing with the Stars if his dancing is as reported. However, there has already been mobilization in support of Chaz's inclusion in the season 13 cast. That is likely to keep Bono around for some time.
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Dancing with the Stars contestants? Click on any of the names below!
Carson KressleyChynna PhillipsDavid ArquetteElisabetta CanalisHope SoloJ.R. MartinezKristin CavallariNancy GraceRicki LakeRob KardashianRon Artest(Image courtesy of ABC)