Heather Mills & Jonathan Roberts - Season 4

[Krom]

I think its very negative press for the show having her on. I'm sure the show runners were looking at it from the point of view that people would like to see someone with a disability succeed on the show. Unfortunately, I really think they picked the wrong person to try this with.

If all they wanted was the handicapped angle, they should have gone with one-armed surfer girl Bethany Hamilton.

[redjdv]

I don't think she will be around very long.
Her claim to fame is marrying a Beatle. And now she is in a nasty divorce.
Plus-her past is nothing to be proud of.
Just a curious question: Is she the first foreign "star" on DWTS? It doesn't matter to me-I am just curious. And BTW-is that the official photo? EWWW!

[MissThing]

Just a curious question: Is she the first foreign "star" on DWTS? !

No, without even looking up the previous cast members, Rachel Hunter is from New Zealand.

[ShrinkingViolet]

McCartney's ex is set to go 'Dancing'

By MARISA GUTHRIE

Amputee Heather Mills, who is currently embroiled in an ugly divorce with Paul McCartney, is one of the new hoofers on "Dancing With the Stars."

ABC unveiled the cast for the fourth season of its hit show yesterday and, as expected, the roster includes boxer Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali; country singer/actor Billy Ray Cyrus, and former "90210" star Ian Ziering.

Mills has been the recipient of a torrent of bad press since the split with McCartney last year. The British tabloids have taken the former Beatle's side, characterizing Mills as a one-time call girl and pornographic model. Mills, in turn, has accused McCartney of being emotionally and physically abusive.

"The only reason we booked [Mills] is because we thought it would be really interesting to have a disabled person on the show," said executive producer Conrad Green. "I think the opportunity to make the big public point about people with disability was part of her decision to take part."

"Dancing With the Stars" endured controversy last year when Sara Evans dropped out in the midst of a messy divorce.

"It [was] disruptive," conceded Green. "For Sara's sake, I'd much rather that didn't happen in her life. It definitely wasn't a benefit [for the show]."

But he refused to speculate on whether Mills' battle with McCartney and the details of her life would tarnish the show's family-friendly image.

Mills, who lost her left leg below the knee after being hit by a police motorcycle in London in 1993, is now in the U.K. practicing with her partner, Jonathan Roberts.

Additional "Dancing" contestants are basketball star Clyde Drexler, 'NSYNC alum Joey Fatone, Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey, former "ET" host Leeza Gibbons, Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, former supermodel Paulina Porizkova and ex-"Sopranos" star Vincent Pastore.

"Dancing" returns with a two-hour premiere March 19 at 8 p.m. There will be two weeks of performances (the March 26 episode also will be two hours) before the first elimination on March 27.

Mills was the only disabled person the show approached, said Green. "What we really wanted to do was stretch the limits of who can take part ... to prove that this is a competition for anyone," he said.

Meanwhile, "American Idol" producers are still trying to woo McCartney - as they have in past seasons - for an installment featuring Beatles music.

And Green promises "some great musical acts" on "Dancing With the Stars" this season, although he wouldn't name names. But is it safe to say Paul McCartney is not one of them?

"No comment," laughed Green.

Link

[SeaMonkey]

all I have to say about her being on this season is:

[Allie]

Having an artificial leg doesn't necessarily make her a better person.

Mind you I have no idea of the truth of things with her claims about how McCartney treated her (and McCartney has made some pretty ugly counterclaims--go look at her Wikipedia entry for details). I'm just saying its a bad comment on someone's character that in the midst of an ugly personal scandal they'd go on a reality show.

And she's been no stranger to past scandal or severe criticism either. Again, I'm not presuming guilt, but her judgment in reacting to the situation by going on a dancing show. Does that make her automatically brave or noble? It might. But I'm not leaning that way in my own opinion right now.

I was just talking about a person with an artificial leg going on the show. I admit I haven't read anything about the divorce or what charges each person's media team are throwing at each other.

I don't remember saying she was a good person or brave to go on the show, or noble.

Perhaps I should have clarified my comment more.

[Gizmo82]

I personally don't see what all of the fuss is about... She filed for divorce over a year ago, and although it's all being played out in the media, I know many people that have been divorced for a year and gone on with their lives... Heather is an advocate for many things, and a public figure with a disability, and I read that she wants to prove that being handicap does not have to set you back, and I for one applaud the fact that she is willing to do this... As far as her personal life, and the claims that have come out in the divorce, I dont care... I dont know her, I dont know Paul, all I know is what the tabloids depict of them, and I would certainly hope that most of us are smart enough to know that most of that is crap

[R.James]

I remember Johnathon from Season 2, I liked him.

[Muduh]

I don't care for her, but haven't seen her dance so I can't say what I'll think about that. She sure isn't my favorite going in to the thing.

[William13]

I hope for everyone's sake that she wins, because Heather does not take rejection well.