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Rosie O’Donnell just shut down rumors that she’s making a surprise comeback on Dancing With the Stars season 35. The 64-year-old comedian addressed speculation sparked by an AI-generated fake promo showing her in a sequined ballroom gown.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Date of Denial: O’Donnell posted her response on April 13, 2026, just hours after the fake promo went viral
- What She Said: ‘Completely untrue but funny’ according to her Instagram caption with a laughing emoji
- Current Location: Living in Ireland since January 2026 with her youngest child, Clay, age 13
- Season 35 Status: No official casting announced yet following Robert Irwin’s November 2025 season 34 win
Fake AI Promo Sparks Internet Speculation
An AI-generated image made its way across social media claiming Rosie O’Donnell would return to the U.S. for an ‘epic comeback’ on the hit dance competition. The fake headline paired with a heavily edited photo showing her in curly hair and a glittering sequined gown, striking a dramatic dance pose. The image felt convincingly real at first glance, causing fans to speculate about a potential casting announcement.
However, O’Donnell wasted no time setting the record straight with humor. She shared the image on her Instagram Stories on April 13, captioning it with a lighthearted response that made her feelings crystal clear about both the rumor and the hairstyle shown in the AI creation.
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The Traitor’s Host Laughs Off the Speculation
The View alum’s response was characteristically funny and direct. ‘This made me laugh, reminds me to never get a perm. Completely untrue but funny,’ she wrote, making a joke about her tightly curled hair rendering in the AI image. One disappointed fan commented in response: ‘Wish it was true. I would absolutely watch the show.’
Despite fan enthusiasm for her potential participation, O’Donnell made it abundantly clear that no comeback is happening, at least not on DWTS. The timing of the denial comes as ABC prepares for the highly anticipated season 35 reveal, though no official announcements have been made yet.
Why Rosie Won’t Be Dancing Anytime Soon
The most obvious reason for Rosie’s unavailability is her location. The comedian relocated to Ireland in early January 2026, bringing her youngest child, Dakota (nicknamed Clay), who is 13 years old. She made the move following political developments in the United States and expressed a desire to seek Irish citizenship through her Irish grandparents.
In a TikTok video from March 2025, O’Donnell explained her thinking. ‘I’m very grateful. I’m in the process of getting my Irish citizenship as I have Irish grandparents. And although I was never someone who thought I would move to another country, that’s what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child.’ Learning to build a new life abroad takes commitment and time, making a commitment to a high-intensity dancing competition completely impractical right now.
| Element | Details |
| Current Status | Living in Ireland with youngest child |
| Children Count | 5 total: Parker (30), Chelsea (28), Blake (26), Vivienne (23), Clay (13) |
| DWTS Season 35 Cast | Not announced (speculation includes Rob Rausch, Maura Higgins) |
| Last Season Winner | Robert Irwin with pro partner Witney Carson |
“I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home, and I’m trying to find a home here in this beautiful country. And when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”
— Rosie O’Donnell, during TikTok message to fans
What’s Next for Season 35 Casting
Dancing With the Stars fans are eagerly awaiting the official season 35 announcement. According to recent reports, the show will likely debut its new cast on Good Morning America, following the same pattern as previous seasons. Speculation has surrounded names like Rob Rausch, winner of The Traitors, and Maura Higgins, the show’s runner-up.
Other rumored contestants mentioned in fan wishlists and social media include Sean Lowe from The Bachelor, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, Flavor Flav, and Ginnifer Goodwin. However, nothing has been officially confirmed by ABC or the show’s producers at this time. The network has been keeping details under wraps, likely planning a major reveal in the coming weeks.
Could Rosie Ever Return if Circumstances Change?
While Rosie O’Donnell firmly denied participation in season 35, she hasn’t completely shut the door on a future return to television or public appearances. In her emotional statement about leaving America, she indicated that her move was conditional. She said that if ‘it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights’ in the U.S., she and her child would ‘consider coming back.’
For now though, O’Donnell is focused on building her new life in Ireland, spending time with her youngest child, and occasionally visiting her older children when she travels back to America. The Dancing With the Stars ballroom will have to wait, as the former talk show host is clearly prioritizing stability and peace of mind over reality television commitments.
Sources
- E! Online – Rosie O’Donnell’s response to the AI-generated fake promo and her current life in Ireland
- Us Weekly – Interview detailing why O’Donnell moved abroad and her feelings about returning to America
- Entertainment Weekly – Coverage of DWTS season 35 casting rumors and timeline
