Celebrities Who Wouldn’t Go on ‘Dancing With the Stars’: Tish Cyrus, Caitlyn Jenner and More

Dancing With the Stars has attracted some of the biggest names in show business and beyond — but some celebrities wouldn’t consider stepping foot into the ballroom.

During a September 2025 episode of the “Sorry We’re Cyrus” podcast, Brandi Cyrus revealed that mom Tish Cyrus is “terrified” of lacing up her dancing shoes due to the live nature of the ABC show.

“I think she’d be so good on Dancing [With the Stars]. And she’s like, ‘It’s live. I can’t.’ But I feel like you could,” Brandi said, while Tish added, “I could never. Not live.”

While Tish isn’t racing to compete on the show, former husband Billy Ray Cyrus tried his hand on the dance floor during season 4 in 2007. The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer and pro dancer Karina Smirnoff ultimately placed in fifth. (Tish filed for divorce from Billy Ray in 2022 after nearly 30 years of marriage.)

Scroll down to see more celebrities who wouldn’t go on Dancing With the Stars:

Tish Cyrus

Tish shared on a September 2025 episode of her and Brandi’s “Sorry We’re Cyrus” podcast that she “could never” do Dancing With the Stars.

Caitlyn Jenner

When asked if Jenner or former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe might be appearing on the show, cohost Alfonso Ribeiro claimed to E! News that Jenner was “not going to do” Dancing With the Stars. (Bristowe, meanwhile, took home the mirrorball trophy with partner Artem Chigvintsev on season 29 in 2020.)

Tiffani Thiessen

The former Saved by the Bell star shared that she has turned down Dancing With the Stars more than once through the years. “I’ve been asked a few times,” she told The Huffington Post in 2017, “but my response to that is that I am an actor, not a dancer.”

Bobby Flay

The Food Network star told Zagat in 2013 that he declined the show, explaining he didn’t want to “be known as that guy on Dancing With the Stars.” E! News reported that Flay quipped his wife “would divorce me if I did it,” referring to ex-wife Stephanie March, whom he split from in 2015.

Jamie Lee Curtis

The Freaky Friday star told E! News in 2011 that she would “never in a million years” appear on Dancing With the Stars — but then shared that she had one condition if she were to compete.

“I’ll tell you how I would do Dancing With the Stars,” she said at the time. “If they gave me a million dollars to give to charity…I would only do it if there was a big charity component. ”

Paula Deen

When asked by Extra in 2010 if she would ever consider Dancing With the Stars, Deen replied, “No! Fat girls don’t look good sweating.”

Gayle King

King told Us in 2010 that she had been asked to appear on Dancing With the Stars three times, but turned down each offer.

“I think it’s good to keep my public humiliation to a minimum,” she explained. “I would never want to embarrass my children ever…or myself! I can’t dance.”