Savannah Bananas' Jackson Olson joins 'Dancing with the Stars': 'I kind of manifested this whole thing'

"“I kind of manifested this whole thing and posted a couple TikToks last year just joking ... never thinking that it was a possibility,” Olson said during a “Good Morning America” interview on Wednesday. “But when I posted it, I'm like, 'Maybe there is a possibility.' I saw some comments, I'm like, 'OK, maybe this is possible.'”"

"“When I was a kid, I never thought any of this was possible, even playing for the Bananas or anything like that,” Olson said. “I was a shy kid that never danced, never put myself out there, never entertained, and found a passion fo"

"ABC announced Olson as the latest contestant on the upcoming Season 35 of “DWTS.” He joins the already-announced Maura Higgins of “The Traitors” and “Love Island” and Ciara Miller of “Summer House” as competitors for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, with more participants yet to be revealed."

"Olson plays second base for the lively Savannah Bananas, so dancing is already part of his job description. He is also a social media influencer with 2.1 million TikTok followers and hasn't been shy about using the platform to campaign for his dream gig."

Jackson Olson, a 28-year-old second baseman for the Savannah Bananas and a social media influencer with 2.1 million TikTok followers, became a contestant for Dancing with the Stars Season 35. He had posted videos expressing interest in competing on the show, and his campaign gained attention through comments that suggested it could happen. ABC announced his participation alongside Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller, with additional competitors expected. Olson played college baseball for Hartford and Stetson, posting a .273 batting average with 171 hits, 62 RBIs, and five home runs across 183 games. His dancing career began in earnest after joining the Bananas in 2022, whose entertainment-focused style includes dancing and other antics.

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