Get ready, y'all -- Dancing With the Stars is about to get a little bit country, and a little bit controversial as well.
The venerable reality franchise's upcoming season will reportedly feature one very special disgraced celebrity chef, according to Variety: Paula Deen, the ex-Food Network star who saw her empire crumble in 2013 after a deposition revealed racist remarks (including the N-word) she'd made in the past. (When asked for comment, ABC told Mashable that it doesn't discuss casting rumors).
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In the controversy's aftermath, Deen was dropped by Food Network and a slew of companies with which she'd had endorsement deals, including Walmart, Target, QVC and Smithfield Foods. After about a year of licking her wounds, she began angling for a comeback; Deen has since launched her own online network, featuring both episodes of her old Food Network shows and original programming.
Deen joins a cast that already includes Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza (of American Pharoah fame), and Bindi Irwin, daughter of Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin.
Lovers of camp should take note: If previous seasons are any indication, it's only a matter of time before Deen does the cha cha dressed as a giant stick of butter.