Let’s talk about James Van Der Beek for a moment. You might know him from "Dawson’s Creek" or his five adorable kids. But here’s the twist—those kids aren’t exactly lining up to vote for Dad on "Dancing With the Stars" Season 28. Nope, they’ve got another favorite: "Queer Eye" star Karamo Brown. Crazy, right?

James recently opened up about this unexpected twist in an exclusive chat with Closer Weekly at the cast reveal event in New York City. He joked that his kids were pretty chill about him joining the show—until they found out Karamo Brown was also competing. Suddenly, they were starstruck. "They were super excited that I was going to meet Karamo," James said. And get this: they weren’t shy about who they were rooting for. His daughter even told him, “Daddy, it’s a dancing competition. I’ll vote for whoever dances better!”

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6 out of 7 smiling? I’m calling that a win by decision. If I’d averaged that when I played baseball, there’d be a statue of me outside the stadium 🏆 Had a magical time with the family at @clubmedpuntacana. Thanks to everyone who took such good care of us and our kids ❤️#clubmed #clubmedpuntacana
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A post shared by James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) on Jul 1, 2019 at 11:35am PDT

James Van Der Beek's Dancing Strategy

At 42, James is no stranger to physical challenges, but he admits that dancing is a whole different ballgame. While he’s trained for sports and is currently prepping for a project after "DWTS," he says that dancing is a beast of its own. "There are so many different angles and foot placements you have to consider," he explained. "It’s not just about moving your body—it’s about precision and rhythm." And let’s not forget the inevitable soreness that comes with all those routines. "I’m already dreading how sore I’m going to be," he joked. "But hey, it’s all part of the experience!"

Why James Is Excited to Hit the Ballroom Floor

Despite the challenges, James is genuinely excited about the opportunity to perform on "Dancing With the Stars." "I started my career in theater," he recalled. "It’s been years since I’ve done any stage work, and I’ve always loved to dance. This is a chance to reconnect with that part of myself—and maybe even surprise a few people along the way." He added, "It’s going to be chaotic, but I think it’s going to be a lot of fun." Fun? Yes. But also a little nerve-wracking. After all, he’ll be up against heavyweights like supermodel Christie Brinkley and legendary singer Mary Wilson.

Karamo Brown 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 28 — Lou Rocco/Walt Disney Television

Will the "Dawson’s Creek" Crew Show Up to Support James?

One burning question on everyone’s mind: will James’s "Dawson’s Creek" family reunite to cheer him on? While it would be a dream come true for fans, James isn’t making any promises. "Oh, it would be so much fun," he admitted. "But let’s be real—everyone’s super busy right now. I’m sure they’ll be rooting for me from afar!"

We can’t wait to see James strut his stuff when "Dancing With the Stars" Season 28 premieres on Monday, September 16, on ABC. Whether or not his kids vote for him, one thing’s for sure—he’s going to give it his all.