Milo Manheim Hopes to Break 'Zombies' Curse on 'Dancing With the Stars'

Milo Manheim is rooting for his Zombies 4 co-star Meg Donnelly to shatter what he calls the franchise’s “Dancing With the Stars” curse. “You know the Zombies curse on Dancing With the Stars is we’re always going to be runner-up,” Manheim, 24, shared exclusively with Us Weekly ahead of the Disney Channel premiere of Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires on July 10. Manheim added that if he could choose someone to join the upcoming season of the dance competition, it would be Donnelly, also 24. “I would either send Meg if she wanted to do it because [she] would redeem it for all of us and go win, or I would love to see Trevor [Tordjman],” he said.

Donnelly echoed Manheim’s sentiments, saying, “People would love him. He should do it.” Manheim was the first from the Disney Channel Original Movie franchise to appear on DWTS, becoming a fan favorite during season 27 in 2018. Despite his popularity, he and partner Witney Carson finished in second place behind Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess.

The Curse of the Runner-Up

Six years later, Manheim’s Zombies co-star Chandler Kinney competed in season 33 with partner Brandon Armstrong, finishing in third place despite being a front-runner throughout the season. The pattern of near-victories has led to the notion of a “curse” among the Zombies cast, a playful superstition that Manheim hopes Donnelly can break.

Outside the Disney Channel universe, Manheim and Donnelly have expressed interest in seeing a “little kid” compete on the upcoming season to add a fresh dynamic. “I would also like to see The Rizzler,” Manheim told Us, agreeing with Donnelly’s suggestion of the young social media personality. “I do want to see somebody little on it. I want to see some 8-year-old, whoever it is, with Val [Chmerkovskiy].”

New Faces and Future Aspirations

Malachi Barton and Freya Skye, new additions to the Zombies world, have their own ideas about potential DWTS contestants. “I’m really excited because Alix Earle’s doing it,” Skye, 15, shared with Us. “Malachi will have a fight if I don’t pick him right now, so Malachi for Dancing With the Stars 2025.” Barton, 18, responded enthusiastically, suggesting fellow Disney star Joshua Colley alongside himself. “[Joshua’s] energy would just be the most infectious thing on the dance floor,” Skye agreed.

“Now this is probably not going to happen, something just popped into my mind. I would love to see Harry Styles do it. I feel like he would be great.”

Barton is also reaching for the stars with his suggestions. “You know who I would love to see do it? Sabrina Carpenter,” he told Us. “She has not done Dancing, has she? That’d be cool.”

Looking Ahead to Season 34

The upcoming season 34 of DWTS promises to be exciting, with Alix Earle, Robert Irwin, and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt set to compete. The anticipation surrounding the new season is palpable, with fans eager to see whether the so-called “Zombies curse” will finally be broken.

The announcement comes as DWTS continues to evolve, drawing in a diverse range of contestants from various backgrounds. As the show gears up for its next season, the potential for surprises and standout performances remains high, keeping audiences engaged and hopeful for a fresh champion.

About The Author

editorial

Our editorial team is dedicated to delivering accurate and timely news coverage. With a commitment to journalistic integrity, we bring you the stories that matter most to our community.

See author's posts