Whitney Leavitt is officially heading to Broadway after her run on “Dancing With the Stars” Season 34. The 32-year-old will join the cast of “Chicago” for a six-week engagement.
She is set to play Roxie Hart, with performances beginning on February 2 and continuing through March 15.
Leavitt previously hinted at her Broadway debut during a November 26 appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. She joined her “Dancing With the Stars” partner, Mark Ballas, for the interview.
On the podcast, Leavitt first teased securing her “first movie” role. She then added that a dance she and Ballas performed on “Dancing With the Stars” would “come to life.”
This referred to their Argentine Tango to “Cell Block Tango,” an iconic number from “Chicago,” performed during Week 9 of the competition. Leavitt and Ballas, 39, impressed both viewers and judges with their precision and creativity.
The pair were ultimately eliminated just before the “Dancing With the Stars” finals in a highly surprising vote.
During her time on the show, Leavitt faced online criticism regarding her prior dance experience. Some fans also suggested the ABC program showed favoritism toward Ballas.
Leavitt and Ballas addressed these comments candidly on “Call Her Daddy.” Ballas acknowledged that online criticism is common for participants on the intense show.
Leavitt shared that her previous experience on “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” had “desensitized” her to hateful rhetoric. However, she found it difficult seeing Ballas experience such negativity for the first time. She admitted to feeling that the criticism aimed at her partner might have been her fault.
Leavitt, who appeared in Season 3 of “Mormon Wives” primarily to gain a spot on “Dancing With the Stars,” stated she never expected to win the mirrorball trophy. “I wanted that experience,” she said. She encouraged others to pursue their dreams.
Leavitt is not the first former “Dancing With the Stars” contestant to take on the role of Roxie Hart on Broadway. Ariana Madix, who finished third in Season 32, performed the role in 2024.