U.S. Swim Team member Ryan Lochte, who made headlines with the world's most notorious bathroom break during the Rio Olympics, is officially joining "Dancing With the Stars," ABC has confirmed. The move had been widely speculated about and could serve as a comeback tour following Lochte's travails abroad.
"I'm breaking out my dance shoes with Cheryl Burke on Season 23 of ('Dancing With the Stars')," he posted along with a photo of himself and one of the show's professional dancers. "Don't miss the premiere, Sept. 12."
Lochte joins an eclectic cast including Amber Rose, Calvin Johnson Jr., Jake T. Austin, James Hinchcliffe, Jana Kramer, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Laurie Hernandez, Marilu Henner, Maureen McCormick, Rick Perry, Terra Jolé and Vanilla Ice.
Lochte had remained pretty quiet on social media lately, other than to tweet a long apology for his antics. He and some teammates made an early morning pitstop following a night of partying while the 2016 Olympic Games were still going on. After, uh, watering the foliage, the guys were stopped by security guards. They handed over about $70 in cash to pay for a sign Lochte inexplicably banged up and were on their way.
Lochte initially cooked up a swashbuckling tale of being ambushed and held at gunpoint, then walked it back — way back — following authorities' investigation. He now faces charges although that's likely to result in just a fine like the one teammate Jimmy Feigen paid.
Although Lochte lost some sponsors including Speedo and Ralph Lauren following the mess, a cough drops company called Pine Brothers picked him up.
“Pine Brothers believes in love, light and doing what is right. Doing what is right to us means making our product in the United States (even though it costs more), providing no-cost health insurance to our employees (even though we are not required to) and forgiving someone who not only embarrassed himself but let down his country (Ryan Lochte),” the company said in an open letter posted to its social media accounts. “Forgiving isn’t about condoning the action; it is about providing grace when asked.”
Cocktails for a Cause
Cocktails for a Cause, benefiting GiGi's Playhouse, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 22 on the rooftop bar at Fadó Irish Pub, 273 Buckhead Ave. N.E. The organization supports achievement centers for children with Down syndrome; its network includes 31 community playhouses, including the first international location in Mexico. Last year, more than 26,000 individuals with Down syndrome benefited from its free programs. Event tickets are $50 each; see bit.ly/1mOYxtX for details.
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