9-1-1' Star Ryan Guzman Would Make the Perfect Addition to 'Dancing With the Stars'

Before Ryan Guzman was saving lives as firefighter Eddie Diaz on 9-1-1, he was shaking up the dance floor in the Step Up franchise. Guzman played the role of the rugged dance troupe ringleader, Sean Asa, in the Step Up Revolution (2014), the fourth installment of the popular dance films. The actor was joined by So You Think You Can Dance alum, Kathryn McCormick, as the leading lady.

Now, what’s shocking is that he was able to keep up with her smooth moves despite being the only lead in the franchise with no formal dance training. In fact, Guzman was the only Step Up lead to be called back for another film. The story for Step Up: All In (2014) was actually written around Sean’s character, which gave Guzman yet another chance to show how far he had come in his dancing journey in such a short time.

Ryan Guzman Is Ready To Return to the Dance Floor

In an interview with the Miami Herald, the actor revealed that he would spend every spare hour rehearsing to ensure that his skill level could match up to his costars, all of whom had been dancing for over 20 years at that point. “Acting like I can dance is one thing, but making it believable to the audience is another,” confessed Guzman. Not only did he do exactly that, but in doing so, the actor also learned the ins and outs of the art form to the point where he would even be open to participating in a dance competition.

During a conversation with Entertainment Tonight, the 9-1-1 star claimed that he had actually been approached by Dancing with the Stars after the success of Step Up Revolution. While he declined the offer back then, the actor admitted that he misses dancing and would be open to taking part in the competition now. According to Guzman, he refused the offer because he didn’t want to get typecast, and he wasn’t really sure of his dancing skills either. Clearly, though, things have changed since then.

Why the Actor Is the Perfect Fit for ‘DWTS’

Considering the possibility, Guzman might just be one of the best fits Dancing with the Stars has had in a long time. Of course, there’s no doubt about his credibility and the ability to pick up things at the speed of light after everything he has done on the Step Up franchise. Not to mention that before he became an actor, Guzman played college baseball and spent years training as a mixed martial artist. While that’s obviously not the same as mastering salsa or the waltz, his athletic experience helped him develop the determination and discipline that he eventually channeled into his acting and dancing.

As the lead of two films in the dance franchise, Guzman was placed at the center of technically demanding group routines and solo performances where he had to prove his grit. If Guzman were to take part in DWTS, his arc as someone who put dance on pause to pursue acting, only to return to his passion years later, will be an immediate crowd puller. What sets him apart from other stars on the show is that he already has the muscle memory and stage presence that come from learning choreography under pressure, but all of that comes without the polish of someone who’s trained their whole life. That balance makes him someone who can deliver strong performances from week one, yet still show growth and vulnerability throughout the season.

His Underwear Dance on ‘9-1-1’ Has the Fans Begging for More

If Guzman was confused about whether the fans wanted to see him return to the dance floor, his viral homage to Tom Cruise’s iconic Risky Business dance scene on 9-1-1 should be his cue. During Season 8, Episode 6 of the show, Eddie finally lets go of years of emotional repression and dances it all out in his living room in his underwear. In an interview with TV Guide, Guzman admitted that he didn’t want the scene to feel too choreographed, because Eddie is not supposed to be a good dancer. Despite that, though, Guzman managed to impress everyone with how naturally his moves come out, even when he’s not trying. The actor’s comfort in movement shone through every second of the scene, and he was able to deliver a performance that was funny and effortlessly smooth at the same time. That kind of raw talent is rare, and it’s exactly what Dancing with the Stars is all about.