Show summary Hide summary
Rosie O’Donnell just shut down viral rumors about a major career comeback. The comedian, who moved to Ireland last year, dismissed claims that she’d be joining season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. Her response has fans talking.
🔥 Quick Facts
- AI-generated fake: An AI-created mock news report claimed O’Donnell would join DWTS for an ‘epic comeback’
- Location: O’Donnell has been living in Ireland since January 2025 with her child Clay
- Official denial: She posted on Instagram April 14, 2026 calling the rumor ‘completely untrue but funny’
- U.S. visit: She recently made a secret two-week trip home to see family and her other children
The AI Photo That Started It All
On Monday, April 13, an AI-generated poster circulated online featuring Rosie in a green gown. The fake image claimed she’d be making her DWTS debut with an ‘epic return’ to the United States. Fans immediately speculated about her potential participation in the competition series.
O’Donnell quickly responded by sharing the mock news report on her Instagram. She made light of the situation, writing that the image ‘made me laugh.’ Her caption was direct and humorous about the false claim.
Rosie O’Donnell denies Dancing with the Stars comeback rumors from Ireland
Ultra Rare TV Shows stump viewers in identification challenge
Rosie Sets the Record Straight
The 64-year-old comedian wasted no time addressing the rumor. In her Instagram post, she wrote ‘Completely untrue but funny.’ She also joked about the curly hair in the AI image, saying it ‘reminds me to never get a perm.’
Her response came as many fans have been curious about her daily life in Ireland since her January 2025 move. The speculation about a potential DWTS appearance suggested fans still hope to see her return to American television and the U.S. stage.
Why She Moved to Ireland
O’Donnell made the significant decision to relocate with her youngest child to avoid the political climate in America. She has been vocal about her reasons for leaving the United States following President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
| Detail | Information |
| Move Date | January 2025 |
| Who Moved | O’Donnell and her child Clay |
| Primary Reason | Political climate, Trump’s presidency |
| Recent U.S. Visit | February 2026, two-week secret trip |
The talk show veteran said the move was necessary to protect her mental health and safety. ‘I did what I needed to do to save myself, my child and my sanity,’ she explained to Chris Cuomo on SiriusXM.
‘I don’t regret leaving at all. I think I did what I needed to do to save myself, my child and my sanity.’
Rosie O’Donnell, on her move to Ireland
Life in Ireland and Recent Return Home
O’Donnell recently made her first significant return trip to America since moving to Ireland. She reportedly went home in February for two weeks without telling many people about her visit. The purpose was to see her other children and assess what it would take to move between countries.
‘I wanted to feel what it felt like,’ she told Cuomo about the experience. She’s planning to bring her daughter to visit America during summer break from Irish school. The visit didn’t make her regret her decision to stay abroad permanently.
What’s Next for Rosie O’Donnell’s Career?
Despite the Dancing with the Stars rumor, O’Donnell appears focused on her life in Ireland. She’s been enjoying time away from the American entertainment spotlight and building a quieter existence abroad. Her recent statement makes it crystal clear that a major U.S. television comeback isn’t in the cards.
Fans who hope to see her return to the spotlight may need to wait longer than a reality competition season. Will she eventually return to television, or is this new chapter in Ireland permanent? Only time will tell for the comedy icon.
Sources
- People Magazine – Rosie O’Donnell denies Dancing with the Stars rumor, explains her move to Ireland and recent family visit
- SiriusXM Cuomo Mornings – O’Donnell discusses her Ireland move and mental health reasons for departure
- Instagram – Rosie O’Donnell’s official response to AI-generated Dancing with the Stars poster
