The hit dance competition series is surprisingly already on its 21st season, after ten years on the air. The show, hosted by Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, pairs celebrity contestants with professional dancers.
This season’s cast members were recently announced. The star studded cast features a number of reality TV stars, former child actors and a few relatively unknown names.
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak is paired with Tony Dovolani, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas actor Gary Busey will be dancing with Anna Trebunskaya, while Tony Braxton’s sister, Tamar, will be competing with fan favorite Val Chmerkovskiy. Chef Paula Deen, 68, is set to perform with Louis van Amstel, North Carolinian Vine sensation Hayes Grier will be appearing with Emma Slater, while former boy bander Nick Carter is with Sharna Burgess and Mexican jockey Victor Espinoza is paired with Karina Smirnoff. “Fine by Me” singer Andy Grammer will be competing with Allison Holker, Australian actress Bindi Irwin has been paired with Derek Hough, while songwriter Chaka Khan has been linked with Keo Motsepe. Big Time Rush’s Carlos Pena Jr. is set to star with Witney Carson and Carlos’ wife, Spy Kids actress Alexa Vega, will be performing with Mark Ballas, and Army National Guard specialist Alex Skarlatos will be dancing with Lindsay Arnold.
Past celebrity contestants have included professional and Olympic athletes, supermodels, actors, singers, and astronauts. Each couple performs predetermined dances and competes against the others for judges’ points and audience votes. The couple receiving the lowest combined total of judges’ points and audience votes is eliminated each week until only the champion dance pair remains. A total of 223 celebrities have appeared in the 20 seasons of the series.
Dancing With the Stars premieres on Monday, September 14th, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Let us know which couple you’re most looking forward to seeing compete.