Dancing Contestant Kelly Osbourne Pitches Herself to Star in Chicago

The Broadway production of Chicago got some valuable free publicity on October 12 when Dancing with the Stars contestant Kelly Osbourne mentioned on the air—several times—her desire to play Roxie Hart. “I auditioned for the lead role in Chicago on Broadway and got it,” she said during an introductory segment before dancing the Charleston, “but because I couldn’t dance, they gave me a different role. It’s kind of been a big regret of mine that I never got to play that role because I couldn’t dance.” At the end of rehearsal footage, she re-iterated, "Losing the lead in Chicago was one of my biggest regrets, but I'm poised to prove I can do it."

Osbourne made her theatrical debut at age 23 in September 2007 as Matron “Mama” Morton in the London production of Chicago. Shrewdly, she and Dancing partner Louis van Amstel chose the title song from another Kander & Ebb show, Cabaret, for their Charleston, with van Amstel taking the stage in Joel Grey-style Emcee whiteface makeup. The judges gave them a total of 23 out of 30 points for the dance.

Backstage after the performance, co-host Samantha Harris, who played Roxie in a summer 2009 stint on Broadway, helpfully prompted Osbourne by asking, “You want to play Roxie in Chicago. Do you think you passed your audition?” She replied, “I don’t know—you tell me. I hope so.” Harris then gave Osbourne a personal thumbs-up.

Chances are good that Chicago producers caught the episode: In addition to Harris, the Broadway company has welcomed Dancing alums John O’Hurley, Jerry Springer and Lisa Rinna.