DWTS

Dancing with the Stars' Next Big Thing: Meet Jackson Olson.

Jackson Olson's walking in with a plan: be the standout, take the trophy.

3 min readLatest Content - Cosmopolitan
Dancing with the Stars' Next Big Thing: Meet Jackson Olson.

There's a certain kind of confidence that comes from knowing exactly what you're about to walk into. Jackson Olson is about to find out if he has it. The plan, according to the intel, is for him to be the standout this season and run the whole thing to the end. That's not a quiet goal. That's a statement. And honestly? We love the audacity. There's no room for shy, apologetic energy in a ballroom. There's only the music, the lights, and the nerve to own every second. Jackson's got the plan. The question is whether he's got the cha-cha to back it up.

This is where the fun actually begins. We've seen this story play out before, just with different sequins. The public loves a narrative, and the narrative here is confidence. It's the same energy that makes a friendship feel iconic before it even hits a red carpet. You can see it in the way Swifties and Dakota: A Friendship as Iconic as Their Bangs became a cultural moment. It's not just about the friendship; it's about the perception of it. Jackson is walking into a similar spotlight. The audience wants to root for the person who believes they belong there. And if he's being set up to win, then he needs to lean into that role with a wink, not a grimace. The real chaos is the pressure. When everyone expects you to go far, every stumble feels like a headline. But that's also what makes it compelling. We're not here for a safe, predictable run. We're here for the drama, the near-misses, and the triumphant lifts.

Let's be real about what this means for Jackson practically. He's not just learning choreography; he's learning how to manage a narrative. The judges will critique his footwork, but the audience will judge his charisma. He needs to be the kind of performer who makes a mistake look like a deliberate choice. That's a skill. It's the same reason we can't look away from the messier corners of pop culture, like the friend drama that fueled a song and had everyone claiming, "Oh, I've been through that too" in Friend Drama Fueled Taylor Swift’s "Patient Zero". We love a shared experience. Jackson's run is no different. If he can make us feel like we're on the journey with him, he wins. If he comes off like he's just there to execute a routine, he's just another contestant. The ones who go all the way are the ones who let us see the sweat under the glitter.

So, what's our honest take? The plan is great, but plans are just intentions until you hit the live show. The real test is whether Jackson can convert that planned momentum into actual chemistry with the audience. We'd tell him this: forget the trophy for a second and focus on the connection. Musicians Can’t Get Enough: Decoding Dakota Johnson’s Romantic Reign works because it feels effortless, even when it's clearly crafted. Jackson needs that same energy. He's got the target on his back. The only question is whether he'll treat it as a spotlight or a burden. Watch the first week's scores. If he's on top, the plan is working. If he's mid-pack, the real game of catch-up begins. Either way, we'll be here for the sparkle and the sweat.

From Latest Content - Cosmopolitan

“They plan for him to be a standout this season and make it all the way to the end.”

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