Alexandra “Aly” Raisman, former Olympic gymnast, should be the top contender for the mirrorball. She has the discipline, the flexibility and musicality to make a fine dancer as long as her partner, Mark Ballas doesn’t get kooky.
Age: 18
Birthdate: 25 May 1994
Born: Needham, Massachusetts
Sign: Gemini
Comcast SportsNet documentary: “Aly Raisman: Quest for Fold”
Featured on Sports Illustrated cover as a member of USA Women’s Gymnastics team. First time an entire Olympic gymnastics team was on the cover.
Raisman was captain of the “Fierce Five” who won USA’s first team gold at the London Olympic Games. She also earned the first floor ex gold medal for the U.S. and finished with a bronze on balance beam. She appeared on DWTS supporting Olympic gold medal winner Shawn Johnson who competed with Derek Hough during Johnson and Hough’s freestyle for the All-Stars. Johnson and Mark Ballas won season 8 of DWTS against Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke. Last season, during the DWTS All-Stars, Johnson and Hough finished second to Tony Dovolani and Melissa Rycroft.
Ballas has won two mirrorball trophies. He won during season 6 with Olympic gold medal figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. Then he won in season 8 as mentioned above.
The team of Raisman and Ballas should be one of the top teams and easily make it to the finals, barring injury. Can she dance? Watch her amazing floor ex to “Hava Nagila.”
