Comedian and former talk show host Rosie O'Donnell has firmly shut down a viral rumour suggesting she is planning a return to the United States to compete on the popular television series Dancing with the Stars. The speculation originated from an AI-generated image that circulated online, depicting O'Donnell in a glamorous dancer's pose.
The AI-Generated Poster That Sparked Speculation
On Monday, the 64-year-old entertainer shared the fabricated poster on her Instagram account. The image showed O'Donnell wearing a sparkling green dress with dramatically curly hair, striking a dancer's pose in what appeared to be the Dancing with the Stars ballroom. Text superimposed on the picture boldly declared: "She returns to the U.S. in an epic comeback!" suggesting O'Donnell would debut on season 35 of ABC's hit competition series this autumn.
O'Donnell responded to the artificial creation with characteristic humour, writing: "This made me laugh. Reminds me to never get a perm!!! Completely untrue but funny." Her lighthearted dismissal came despite the convincing nature of the AI-generated content, which had prompted genuine speculation among fans and media outlets.
Background: O'Donnell's Move to Ireland
The rumour gained particular traction because of O'Donnell's well-documented relocation from the United States to Ireland in January 2025. She moved with her youngest child, Clay O'Donnell, citing multiple reasons including her longstanding feud with former President Donald Trump. In a TikTok video from March 2025 addressing her decision, O'Donnell explained: "It's not easy to move to another country, and we really felt as a family this was the safest and best thing for us to do."
She elaborated on the benefits of her transatlantic move, stating: "I feel healthier, I'm sleeping better without the stress and anxiety over what was happening politically in the country." O'Donnell acknowledged the emotional challenges, adding: "I was never someone who thought I would move to another country. You know, I'm happy. Clay is happy. I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home and I'm trying to find a home here in this beautiful country."
The Political Context Behind Her Relocation
O'Donnell's departure from America followed years of public conflict with Donald Trump, which intensified after his return to the White House. The former president threatened multiple times to revoke O'Donnell's citizenship due to her vocal criticism of his administration, once describing her as a "threat to humanity." This political animosity had tangible personal consequences for O'Donnell, who revealed in September that she missed her daughter's graduation from the University of Delaware earlier that year because of the feud.
Weeks after that disclosure, O'Donnell confirmed she was applying for Irish citizenship. When approached for comment at the time, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told The Independent: "What great news for America!" reflecting the administration's perspective on her departure.
Recent Visit to America and Current Sentiments
Despite her relocation, O'Donnell secretly visited the United States in February of this year. She later discussed the trip on Chris Cuomo's SiriusXM show Cuomo Mornings, explaining she returned primarily to see her children but emphasized she did not regret her decision to leave. "I'm very happy that I'm not in the midst of it there, because the energy that I felt while I was in the United States was — if I can use the most simple word I can think of — it was scary," O'Donnell told Cuomo.
She elaborated on her observations during the visit: "There's a feeling that something is really wrong, and nobody is doing anything about it." This statement underscores her continued concerns about the political and social climate in America, which originally motivated her relocation.
Conditions for a Potential Return
O'Donnell has been clear about what would need to change for her to consider returning to the United States permanently. She stated: "When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that's when we will consider coming back." This condition highlights her ongoing commitment to social justice and equality as prerequisites for her return, suggesting her departure was motivated by broader principles beyond personal conflicts.
The AI-generated Dancing with the Stars poster, while creatively convincing, ultimately serves as a humorous footnote in O'Donnell's ongoing narrative of transatlantic relocation, political conflict, and personal adaptation. Her firm denial of the rumour reinforces her current commitment to life in Ireland while maintaining connections to family and friends in America through occasional visits.
