Sean Spicer has responded to his upcoming appearance on Dancing With The Stars, after host Tom Bergeron hit out at the inclusion of the former Trump administration Press Secretary in the reality show’s 28th season.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday, Spicer stated that he hopes to bring Americans of all different backgrounds together.
‘My hope is that at the end of the season, [host] Tom [Bergeron] looks back on this and realizes what a great example it was of being able to bring people of really diverse backgrounds together to have fun with each other, engage in a real civil and respectful way and maybe show millions of Americans how we can get back to that kind of interaction,’ he stated.
On Wednesday, Bergeson alluded to his disappointment at Spicer’s casting, posting a tweet proclaiming that he wanted the upcoming season to be ‘a joyful respite from our exhausting political climate and free from inevitably divisive bookings’.
Earlier on Thursday, Spicer – who left the White House two years ago – made an appearance on Fox and Friends, saying he agrees with Bergeson that the competition should be free from politics.
Former Press Secretary Sean Spicer appealed for the conservative Dancing With The Stars vote on Fox & Friends Thursday
Fox host, Ainsley Earhardt (center right), said she hates that Tom Bergeron (left) ‘brought up politics’ with the DWTS news and that conservatives would be watching, Spicer said ‘I need their vote’
‘He’s entitled to his opinion, I share his sentiment, this should be two hours of politics-free.
‘But more than that I hope this show is an example of a bunch of people from different backgrounds leaving politics aside and having a civil time.’
Spicer said it’s a chance to ‘come together show much you can enjoy each other’s company’.
He added: ‘Too much if what we have in this country is every single conversation has to turn to politics.’
However, he still joked that he’s hoping to garner support from Trump fans who tune into the show.
When Fox & Friends host Ainsley Earhardt said about Bergeron: ‘I hate that he brought up politics. 50 percent of this country is going to be watching and they’re conservative and they support this president, this administration,’ Spicer laughed and replied: ‘And I need their vote.’
Spicer said he agrees with Bergeron, who shared this statement on Twitter saying the show should be ‘a joyful respite from our exhausting political climate’
Spicer will appear on Dancing With The Stars when it returns for Season 28 on September 16
When asked what he’ll say to Bergeron when he sees him on the show, Spicer replied: ‘I’m focused on working hard and learning how to dance.’
The Fox hosts went on to mention other conservatives who have participated in the show to play down some of the backlash.
They argued that it’s unlikely producers would run segments about the history of the Republican Party but, Spicer seemed to think it wasn’t a bad idea as long as it was done in a good light.
Spicer interjected: ‘If it’s nice, I wouldn’t be opposed to that.’
Spicer joked that maybe Bergeron’s statement was in reference to Christie Brinkley (pictured bottom second from right). She is flanked by Ray Lewis and Kel Mitchell. Lauren Alaina and Kate Flannery sit beside Spicer on GMA Wednesday
Queer Eye’s Karamo responded to a fan who was disappointed with his participation based on Spicer’s casting: ‘I’m excited to sit down w/ him and engage in a respectful conversations. Only way things get better is if we try to educate those who have different POV than us’
It was as he maintained open-mindedness about listening to the views of others while on the show, which premieres a new season September 16.
He appeared positive as he shared he’d had a lot of pleasant discussions with other celebrity contestants over the past 48 hours.
As the Fox hosts brought up Queer Eye star Karamo Brown’s tweet about looking forward to having conversations with Spicer, the man – who left his role as press secretary from Trump’s administration in July 2017 – agreed that ‘what we need more of is exactly what he’s talking about’.
‘We clearly don’t agree politically,’ Spicer admitted about himself and Karamo. ‘So in a way that we’re trying to understand each other’s side. Part of what we need to do more of is listen to certain people.’
Spicer – who says was he kicked out of band in sixth grade and told ‘You have the sense of beat of a steamroller’ wrapped the Fox & Friends segment by dancing with host, Earhardt.
He will be joining the likes of Lamar Odom, Hannah Brown, James Van Der Beek, Kel Mitchell, Ally Brooke, Ray Lewis and Mary Wilson for competition which could bag him much more than his $180,000 White House salary.
Spicer was forced to defend his inclusion in the celebrity cast on Wednesday following the backlash.
He told Mediaite after a New York Times writer opined he shouldn’t be on the show: ‘I’m very comfortable with who I am. I’ve never really cared what they think. I’m not going to care now.’
Spicer added to Fox News: ‘I think Tom has been a great host. And I firmly believe when the season is over he’s probably going to realize bringing a diverse group of people together, who can interact in a fun, civil and respectful way, is actually a way we can move the country forward in a positive way. And it will make this show an example of how Americans can disagree about politics and tune into good entertainment shows and keep their politics at bay.’
Fans won’t find out who Spicer and the other bookings are dancing with each week, until the season premieres.
Returning this season is Australian Latin dancer Peta Murgatroyd.
The other professional dancers in the cast this season are Alan Bersten, Brandon Armstrong, Cheryl Burke, Emma Slater, Gleb Savchenko, Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy, Keo Motsepe, Lindsay Arnold, Sasha Farber, Val Chmerkovskiy and Witney Carson, as well as newbies Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov.