The Palin plan for conquering America now has nothing to do with politics, it’s all about reality TV.
With the unveiling Friday of Bristol Palin as cast member of “Dancing with the Stars” all star editions, immediately after the run of her Lifetime series “Bristol Palin: Life’s a Tripp,” it will be the third season of a reality show for the daughter of the former vice presidential candidate.
Her family now are regular fixtures at the TV Critics Press tour. Bristol appeared on a panel Friday; her dad Todd Palin was on a panel for NBC’s upcoming reality show “Stars Earn Stripes” Tuesday; her mom Sarah Palin accompanied him at the NBC cocktail party later that day.
It’s God’s plan, Bristol indicated Friday.
“I just think that God provides opportunities like this, and you can either go out and do them or not do them,” she said in a carefully prepared answer that repeated to questions a number of times, even to inquiries that were completely different.
“I figure that the press is going to be talking about me no matter what, so I might as well be having fun,” Palin said.
Even on a panel with Pam Anderson on it, the majority of questions went to Palin, who said she hasn’t been dancing at all in the interim.
“I definitely don’t think it’s our [family] business,” she said. “I just think that you guys are going to be talking about us either way. I might as well be doing something enjoyable and fun and with a good group of people, and that’s why I’m doing it.”
Host Tom Bergeron tried to cushion the blow. “You haven’t really gone full Kardashian.”
“Oh no,” she said. “Not at all.”
One reporter asked mockingly if she still didn’t like “the gays” or if homosexuality would be a problem for her if her dance partner turned out to be gay.
“You know what? I like gays,” she responded. “I’m not a homophobic, and I’m so sick of people saying that. Just because I’m for traditional marriage doesn’t really mean I’m scared or anything of anyone else, and I don’t hate anybody. People are going to make up stuff about me no matter what, and whatever. I’m going to go dance, and I’m gonna have fun. And I’m just going to go have fun on the show. It’s not about politics. It’s not about traditional marriage or anything like that. It’s just about dancing, and it’s gonna be fun, and that’s all I have to say about it.”
A later questioner questioned whether reporters would really follow her if she chose not to put her life on display in reality shows.
“I couldn’t tell you what would have happened if I would have just gone home. And I like my little life in Alaska with my son. And, like I said before, this is a fun gig. I’m not whining. I’m not complaining about anything. But I’m going to go out there and I’m going to have fun.”
Even less clear was the answer to a question whether she liked any aspect of any of the coverage on her that she liked.
“Well, like I said, God provides opportunities like this for me and this is an amazing opportunity. I get to work with awesome people and it’s a positive, active show. It’s going to be awesome.”
The confused reporter tried again. reporting about her. “But I’m asking you more about the coverage. Is there a part of it that you like that we write about you sometimes?”
“Do I like to provide for my son? Yes I do,” at last laying down a practical reason for her participation.
Palin was a third place finisher in season eight of “Dancing with the Stars,” paired with Mark Ballas. At the time, she said winning the show “would be like a big middle finger out there to all the people out there who hate my mom and hate me.”
Other contestants for the all-star season include past winners Kelly Monaco, Apolo Anton Ohno, Emmitt Smith, Drew Lachey, Shawn Johnson and Helio Castroneves as well as former runners-up Kirstie Alley, Pamela Anderson, Joey Fatone, Gilles Marini and Melissa Rycroft.
Three other past contestants are vying for the 13th slot on the show that will be determined by voters: Sabrina Bryan, Kyle Massey and Carson Kressley, who is “one of the gays” and former host of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.”
Partners for the contestants will be announced Aug. 13. The new season of “Dancing with the Stars” begins Sept. 24 on ABC.