Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik jokes it’s time his feet 'get the spotlight' on “Dancing With the Stars” (exclusive)

The athlete, who earned a bronze medal in pommel horse at the Paris Olympics, is ready to show off his fancy footwork.

After making headlines over the summer for his bronze medal-winning performance at the Paris Olympics, American gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, affectionally known as “The Specialist” and “Pommel Horse Guy,” is ready for his footwork to take center stage on Dancing With the Stars

The pommel horse is a speciality that generally uses one’s “core and upper body,” the Olympian admitted to Entertainment Weekly at the dance competition’s recent season 33 press line, meaning his legs often don’t receive the same workout. 

“I’m excited to get it, you know? I don't use these at all,” Nedoroscik teased, referring to his legs and feet. “So it's about time they get the spotlight.”

<p>Disney/Andrew Eccles</p> Stephen Nedoroscik

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Stephen Nedoroscik

Related: Dancing With the Stars season 33 duos strike a pose in exclusive couple photos

The athlete, who won an additional bronze medal as part of this year’s record-shattering U.S. men’s gymnastic team, rose to fame at the Games for his complex routines and calm demeanor before hitting the floor. His removal of his glasses prior to his medal-winning performances quickly drew comparisons to Clark Kent’s transformation into Superman — and even led to him receiving a video message from actor David Corenswet, who plays the Man of Steel in James Gunn's Superman feature film due July 2025.

When asked if he’d keep his glasses on in the ballroom, Nedoroscik replied, “Not sure yet.” The 25-year-old, who has multiple eye conditions, jokingly added that he could very well find himself without them if something goes wrong during his and pro partner Rylee Arnold’s performance.

“You never know which one of these kicks is gonna [make them go] pew,” he said, making a soaring sound.

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While multiple female gymnasts have competed on Dancing With the Stars (including Simone Biles, Laurie Hernandez, Ali Raisman, and Shawn Johnson), Nedoroscik is the series’ first-ever male gymnast. After returning home from the Olympics in August, he announced that he’d be competing on the show live on Good Morning America

His family was, naturally, thrilled after hearing about the opportunity. “I have multiple family members who Dancing With the Stars is their favorite show of all time, and they're so excited — especially excited because I'm paired with Rylee, and they love her,” Nedoroscik said. “Rylee is the GOAT. But anyways, they're so excited to fly down and watch some shows.” 

Nedoroscik admitted that he’s got “no dance background at all,” but maintained that it just provides a “clean slate” for Arnold to teach him. At the time of the press event, the pair had already completed a few of their rehearsals.

<p>ABC/Jose Alvarado, Jr.</p> Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold

ABC/Jose Alvarado, Jr.

Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold

Related: Dancing With the Stars season 33 duos strike a pose in exclusive couple photos

“It’s been great. It's been so fun,” Arnold said about their practices. “Stephen works so hard, and we have a good time together. It’s been so good.”

He’s accompanied this season by another Olympian: bronze medal-winning rugby player Ilona Maher, who he hadn’t met until the show’s full cast reveal in September.

“Surprisingly, we didn't have any crossover. I think both of us were just so locked into our competitions that it wasn't a social event for us,” Nedoroscik explained. “But now meeting each other here, we got to talk a lot and she's so cool. She's hilarious, too.” 

While winning the show’s coveted Mirrorball trophy would be an extra treat on an already-decorated year for Nedoroscik, he considers it an exciting "byproduct" of his goal for the show. “I just really want to get good at dance. I want to fall in love with it, really get into it, see how good I can get,” he said. “And if that gets me the trophy, that'd be freaking awesome.”

Dancing With the Stars season 33 will premiere Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.