Olivia Newton-John To Appear On 'DWTS' For 'Grease' Night As Host Tyra Banks Looks To Boost Ratings
Pulling out all the stops!
The Monday, October 18, episode of Dancing With the Stars is getting a blast from the past as some cast members from Grease are set to appear on the ABC dancing series.
“Olivia Newton-John will be making a surprise guest appearance on Monday’s show, in support of the competing couples who will dance to the music from her iconic film role,” a rep for DWTS spilled to Us Weekly.
The 73-year-old blonde beauty starred as Sandy in the 1978 musical alongside John Travolta. Singer Frankie Avalon will perform his infamous tune “Beauty School Dropout” on Monday, October 18, with a live appearance by Didi Conn — who starred as Frenchie in the film.
Newton-John’s appearance on the show comes after OK! learned host Tyra Banks is working overtime to generate buzz and boost ratings.
- 'DWTS' Producers Worried As Ratings Remain In Freefall Despite Host Tyra Banks' Best Efforts To Generate Buzz
- 'Dancing With The Stars' Ratings Reportedly Tank As Viewers Slam Botched Britney Spears Tribute Episode & Host Tyra Banks
- Tyra Banks' Diva 'Demands' Rubbing 'DWTS' Crew The Wrong Way, Host Reportedly A 'Nightmare' On Set
Ratings have tumbled since longtime host Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were ousted and replaced by the model last year. The season 30 premiere last month was down nearly 33% from the previous year — and have yet to go up.
Scoring the songwriter is a big get for Banks, being that she desperately tried to secure Britney Spears for her tribute episode, but the “Piece of Me” songstress declined the offer.
“You have to remember that Tyra isn’t just the host, she is also the show's very hands-on Executive Producer, who is not above hitting the phones to get what she wants,” an insider dished exclusively to OK!. “Tyra tried everything to get Britney to make a surprise appearance including contacting Britney’s fiancé, but she passed.” (Spears got engaged to fitness enthusiast Sam Asghari last month.)
The former America’s Next Top Model host even threw out alternatives, but Spears wasn’t about it: “Once it became clear that Britney wouldn’t be stepping foot into the ballroom, producers pushed to have Britney make a special video for Tyra, but Britney passed on doing that too."
Viewers panned the “Princess of Pop” tribute episode — and Banks’ costumes on the series have continuously come under fire, with Twitter roasting Bank's Disney-themed outfits last week as "tragic."
