Chaz Bono 'Smoked it' on DWTS Premiere: Is He the Man to Beat?

At least one competitor believes Chaz Bono could win Dancing With the Stars this season, after the contoversial transgender contestant put in an impressive showing in the Season 13 premiere.

I think there is a really good possibility [Chaz will win] because he has got so much heart, Nancy Grace told Fox after finishing her performance Monday night. He smoked it.

Although Bono only tied for 8th place (with former Queer Eye for the Straight Guy star Carson Kressley) he exceeded expectations and convinced the judges he is in it to win it.

You really came out with the right attitude, Judge Len Goodman told Bono. You came out to enjoy yourself, and that's what I felt you did. You're so joyous out here. Great debut, Chaz. You should be proud.

Bono and his partner Lacey Schwimmer performed a cha-cha to the song Dancing in the Streets. While Bono still has some work to do, his enthusiasm was clear -- especially considering how difficult it must have been to keep a positive attitude in the face of all the negative press.

On Monday, TMZ reported that ABC had ordered security guards for Bono, over concerns some of the hateful comments could potentially translate to a physical threat. Bono has extra security both on and off the set of DWTS.

Bono's dancing impressed other contestants besides Grace.

I think Chaz did great, soap star J.R. Martinez said. What everyone was saying could have broken him down.

Kressley complement Bono as well, but not without a little dig.

I think Chaz did great, Kressley told Fox. I think you always wonder about people who are a little bit heavier or older -- if their bodies can handle it. I am not overweight, and my knees are killing me.

In a Good Morning America interview earlier this month, Bono cleverly remarked that people were not going to catch gender dysphoria by watching him dance.

Watch the entire segment here:

And go to Huffington Post for a video of Bono and Schwimmer's DWTS cha-cha.