Tyler Cameron played college football alongside longtime friend Matt James, who later competed on "Dancing With The Stars" himself. The Tyler Cameron Joins The ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Ringer Debate: ‘This Is The Real Deal’ first appeared on The Blast

Tyler Cameron is preparing to test his dance experience against the demands of “Dancing With The Stars.”

The 33-year-old reality star earned a dance minor while attending Wake Forest University. He originally entered dance classes after failing his first semester to help raise his GPA.

Tyler Cameron played college football alongside longtime friend Matt James, who later competed on the dance show himself. He will compete alongside Sharna Burgess on “Dancing With the Stars.”

Tyler Cameron Comes To ‘Dancing With The Stars’ With Prior Dance History

Cameron said his dance education began because his grades needed to improve immediately. His coach told him to take dance classes after he failed his first semester of college. His classes included ballet and jazz, despite his insistence that he was not naturally talented.

The dancer joked that he was surrounded by 30 women and compared the experience to becoming the Bachelor early.  “None of the girls paid any interest in me,” He admitted to the podcast host, Amanda Hirsch.

“But I was in there giving maximum effort and giving the worst pirouettes and, like, the worst ballet dances ever,” he added. He revealed he was simply there to have fun rather than pursue professional dance training. The experience 

Improved his GPA. Years later, Cameron returned to dancing through the 2022 series “The Real Dirty Dancing.” The show paired celebrities for ballroom routines inspired by the classic movie. That experience eventually became another part of the dance history he brings to “DWTS.”

The ‘Bachelor Nation’ Star Says His Experience Is Nothing Like ‘The Real Deal’

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Cameron doesn’t believe his earlier dance experience should lead fans to assume he is already prepared for “DWTS.” He specifically compared his time on “The Real Dirty Dancing” with the much larger challenge ahead.

According to US Magazine, he said the difference between the two experiences is enormous. “I will say that is like one-fifth of what we’re doing here,” Cameron said on the “Get Real” podcast. He acknowledged that the earlier show was enjoyable and taught him some things about dancing.

The “Bachelor Nation” fan favorite explained that “The Real Dirty Dancing” lasted only about two weeks. By comparison, “Dancing With the Stars” demands much more of its celebrity contestants.

“That was, like, a two-week show, but this is the real deal,” he declared. Cameron’s comments came shortly after his Season 35 casting was announced. He will compete for the Len Goodman Memorial Mirrorball Trophy alongside professional partner Burgess.

More From The Blast

• Jenna Johnson knows the only language on “Dancing with the Stars” is dance!
• Sharna Burgess has returned to the ballroom after 5 years away.
• “DWTS” pro Rylee Arnold opened up about how she navigates her growing career.
• Ciara Miller is doing more than just getting her dancing shoes on for “Dancing With The Stars.”
• No one expected a routine “DWTS” rehearsal to end with flashing lights and an ambulance.

Jenna Johnson Has A Different Take On The Ringer Debate

Johnson recently pushed back against the idea that trained contestants automatically enter the competition with an unfair edge. She argued that ballroom presents challenges that previous dance training cannot completely prepare contestants for.

The Professional dancer pointed to the pressure of performing live before millions of viewers as one major obstacle. Contestants also have only a few days to learn ballroom techniques while handling themes, characters, and judges’ expectations.

With no second chances once the cameras roll, she believes every celebrity faces a new experience. Johnson, who debuted on “DWTS” in 2014, said ballroom dancing requires specific techniques and partnering skills that other dance styles may not provide. 

The choreographer also noted that athletic stamina, acting ability, musicality, and fan support can give contestants different advantages. “I understand when people are like, oh, you know, dance experience, whatever. Who cares!” Johnson said.

“This is the first time they’re ever doing Dancing with the Stars,” she added, stressing that the competition itself remains unfamiliar, as shared by The Blast.

Julia Stiles Of ‘Save The Last Dance’ Comes With Her Dance Experience Too

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Stiles is also joining the competition after becoming famous for her role in the dance movie “Save the Last Dance.” She played Sara Johnson, a classically trained ballet dancer who discovers hip-hop while pursuing her dream of attending Juilliard. However, she did not have formal dance training before taking the role.

She had only danced casually and taken brief ballet lessons when she was younger. To portray Sara convincingly, Stiles underwent months of intensive dance training before filming began. She described the choreography as challenging and daunting because she was not a professional dancer.

Stiles later called dancing the best thing about making the movie, despite the difficulty. She also revealed that she has long been a fan of “Dancing With the Stars.”

In 2025, she called the show her version of Monday Night Football and admitted she had considered participating. As The Blast reported, she had previously worried that living in New York City would make joining the competition difficult.

While Tyler Cameron Is Embracing The Ballroom, Andy Cohen Says No To ‘Dancing With The Stars’

The Bravo executive, Cohen, revealed that producers previously asked him to join “Dancing With the Stars.” He has remained firmly opposed to turning his dancing into televised entertainment. His comments came after people posted clips of him dancing at Dead shows and mocked his moves on TikTok.

Cohen made his position clear with a simple request. “Let me dance in peace,” Cohen said while explaining why he has no interest in competing. He has spent two decades building his career around the “Real Housewives” franchise and remains more comfortable behind the scenes.

His work involves hosting, reunions, and casting rather than learning choreography and facing elimination. Cohen’s refusal places him among several celebrities who have rejected the ballroom for their own reasons. The Blast also noted that John Stamos has repeatedly declined invitations. 

The Tyler Cameron Joins The ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Ringer Debate: ‘This Is The Real Deal’ first appeared on The Blast