Why Did Caitlyn Jenner Freak Over ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Offer?

It seemed that Caitlyn Jenner joining forces with Dancing with the Stars might be a no-brainer, particularly with Ms. Jenner’s past athletic and Olympic achievements, but it seems that anyone hoping to see Caitlyn in the new season will be disappointed. While ABC has offered to bring Caitlyn in on the new Dancing with the Stars season, Ms. Jenner has backed out of the deal.

“At first, Caitlyn was so excited about it and nearly signed up straight away, but after careful thought and even trying out a few moves, she’s realized she was in over her head,” said a source close to Ms. Jenner.

“She also found she’s nowhere near as powerful in her movements as she used to be and she’s totally lost her confidence in her body’s strength and abilities,” added the source.

While Ms. Jenner seems to have made her decision regarding the Dancing with the Stars opportunity, there is still time for a change of heart. Sources close to the Dancing with the Stars production team point out that the opportunity still exists as long as the open Dancing with the Stars slots remain unfilled.

Many hope that Caitlyn will have a change of heart because appearing on Dancing with the Stars will make Jenner the first transgender to appear on the show.

Even without appearing on Dancing with the Stars, Caitlyn Jenner has much to look forward to with other existing opportunities, including the chance for Caitlyn to tell her story in her own way. Jenner has her own documentary series to worry about, entitled I am Cait, so it might be too limiting for Caitlyn to take on the Dancing with the Stars stint. Between rehearsals and competitions, Ms. Jenner might find little time to pursue much else in her new life.

Rumors that Jenner might appear on Dancing with the Stars picked up speed with the statement from Derek Hough that he would return to the show as Caitlyn Jenner’s dance partner. Hough stated that he would love to dance with Jenner, according to the Master Herald.

Part of Caitlyn’s decision to drop out of the Dancing with the Stars opportunity may have more to do with her own pride than with other commitments, some sources suggest. It does seem understandable, considering the public scrutiny and criticism Caitlyn has already endured since making her transition public.

“The biggest reason she pulled the plug on the deal is because she doesn’t want to be a laughingstock.”

[Featured image: Caitlyn Jenner courtesy of Kevin Winter/Getty Images]