We’ve waited quite a while to find out who will be dancing on Season 12 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and finally, the moment is here! During the Monday, February 28th broadcast of The Bachelor, we learned which “stars” will be tangoing, cha-chaing and jiving with the pros in their efforts to win the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. Here’s the breakdown:
Chelsea Kane. Photo credit Lorenzo Hodges
Chelsea Kane – “The Disney Dream Girl”
Chelsea Kane is a versatile young actress/musician who can be seen and heard in so many different ways these days. She currently stars in the web series The Homes on Lockerz.com. Chelsea is also the voice of Bea in Disney Channel’s hit animated comedy series Fish Hooks. She also played Stella Malone, the longtime friend and style guru to the Lucas brothers in the Disney Channel comedy series Jonas, where you may have seen her credited as Chelsea Staub.
This fabulous Phoenix native has been acting professionally since the age of nine. Chelsea landed her first role as Young Kim in the national Broadway tour of Showboat and went on to star in productions of Peter Pan, The Wiz, Cinderella, Oliver, Annie, Titanic, The Sound of Music, Schoolhouse Rock, A Christmas Carol and The Secret Garden, among others. But wait! There’s more!
Chelsea starred in the Disney Channel original movies Minutemen and Starstruck and guest-starred on Disney Channel’s hit series Wizards of Waverly Place. Other guest credits include roles on Cracking Up, Summerland, Listen Up and The Bill Engvall Show.
On the big screen, Chelsea landed her first role in the family film Arizona Summer. That only seems fitting since, as we mentioned earlier, she was born in Phoenix. Chelsea also had a starring role in the motion picture Bratz.
During her free time, Chelsea enjoys hitting the concert circuit with her Polaroid camera and her favorite musician friends. Maybe we’ll see some of them in ballroom cheering Chelsea on as she takes to the stage on Dancing With The Stars!
Chris Jericho. Photo credit: M. Tran/FilmMagic
Chris Jerico – “Wrestling’s Superman”
A 6-time WWE world champion, 2-time NY Times best-selling author, lead singer of the rock band Fozzy and host of the ABC game show, Downfall, Jericho began wrestling at age 19 and is best known as one of the most popular performers in wrestling history. In 2001, he was the first ever Undisputed Champion of the WWE and is the only performer to have held six different titles in the 44-year history of World Wrestling Entertainment. Jericho became a New York Times bestselling author in 2007 with his autobiography, “A Lion’s Tale: Around the World in Spandex,” and is currently on the list again with his follow-up, “Undisputed: How To Become The World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps,” his second auto-biography. His rock band Fozzy has sold a quarter million CDs worldwide.
Hines Ward. Photo credit: NFL Photos
Hines Ward – “The Super Bowl Steeler”
He’s a four-time Pro Bowler, three-time Super Bowl participant, two-time Super Bowl champ, and the Super Bowl XL MVP. Now Hines Ward is adding “ballroom dancer” to his already-impressive resume.
Hines holds virtually every record in Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiving history and will go down as the team’s all-time leading wide receiver. He was named to the Steelers’ 75th Season All-Time Team and will be entering his 14th season with Pittsburgh this upcoming fall. That makes him the longest tenured wide receiver with the same NFL team.
Hines is arguably one of the best blocking wide receivers to ever play the game and is fresh off an outstanding performance in a close loss to the Green Bay Packers in the 2011 Super Bowl. He’s a fierce competitor with a big heart and a big smile, which we can’t always see behind that darn facemask!
Beyond football, Hines is a symbol of success and goodwill to the Korean community and all of Asia. He started his “Helping Hands” foundation in which he devotes his time in the U.S. and Korea to the fight against bi-racial discrimination.
The program in the U.S. focuses on improving literacy among children and provides programs and services to better equip them for achieving success in life. The program in Korea focuses on raising awareness for the problem of biracial discrimination and providing inspiration to the mixed race children in that country. Hines is considered an ambassador of hope to children everywhere.
Remember how we said we couldn’t always see his smile behind his facemask? Well, that won’t be the case when he takes center stage on Dancing With The Stars. We’re just hoping he can make the judges smile, too!
Kendra Wilkinson. Photo credit: JSquared Photography
Kendra Wilkinson – “The Bunny Next Door”
TV personality/glamour girl Kendra Wilkinson is probably best known from her self-titled hit reality series Kendra. Just wrapping its 3rd season on E!, the show follows Kendra, NFL star hubby Hank Baskett, and son Hank IV through their crazy lives. Between life in the spotlight, raising a toddler and the challenges of being an NFL wife, the show is a fun-filled, action-packed look into Kendra’s world.
Kendra got her start on one of E! Entertainment’s highest-rated shows, The Girls Next Door. She was on the reality hit for five seasons until 2009. That’s when Kendra closed one chapter in her life and started a new one. And by that we mean she got married, celebrated the birth of son Hank IV and of course, launched her hit show, Kendra.
Kendra is a self-described tomboy and avid sports fan who loves watching boxing and rooting for her favorite football team, the San Diego Chargers. Since the debut of The Girls Next Door, Kendra has appeared on the cover of many magazines and has enjoyed numerous TV and movie appearances.
In 2007, Kendra was part of MTV’s reality series Celebrity Rap Superstar, where she proved to be a fan favorite finishing second in the competition. In 2008, Kendra was featured in the movie The House Bunny, along with her Girls Next Door co-stars Holly Madison, Bridget Marquette and Hugh Hefner. In 2009, Kendra was featured on the hit CBS series How I Met Your Mother. And in 2011, she’ll be taking the stage on Dancing With The Stars!
Kirstie Alley. Photo credit: Andrew MacPherson
Kirstie Alley – “Hollywood’s Most Outrageous Actress”
Kirstie Alley has emerged as one of the top actresses of her generation, proving time and again that she is capable of great depth and range, as well as a comedic timing second to none. Hey, she always cracks us up!
Kirstie’s TV work earned her seven Golden Globe and eight Emmy nominations. She’s won a Golden Globe, two Emmys and three People’s Choice Awards. Kirstie co-wrote and starred in Showtime’s critically acclaimed comedy Fat Actress. She also played the title character in the NBC sitcom Veronica’s Closet and also served as executive producer.
In 1994, Kirstie showcased her dramatic range starring in the CBS TV movie David’s Mother, for which she won an Emmy. In 1987, Kirstie joined the cast of the long-running hit NBC sitcom Cheers as the neurotic Rebecca Howe. She received critical accolades and won both an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy Series in 1991. Not bad. Not bad at all.Kirstie made her movie debut in 1982’s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, in which she played the beautiful Vulcan officer, Lieutenant Saavik. In 1999, Kirstie starred in the dark comedy Drop Dead Gorgeous. The cult-classic mockumentary follows the contestants in a beauty pageant in Minnesota.
Kirstie also starred in Woody Allen’s Deconstructing Harry. She had us laughing again by starring alongside John Travolta in the hit film Look Who’s Talking. The super-successful comedy spawned two hit sequels. Some of Kirstie’s other film credits include Shoot to Kill, Summer School, For Richer or Poorer and Champions.
In 1995, Kirstie was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She served as the spokesperson for Pier One from 2000 to 2004 and Jenny Craig from 2005 to 2008. In 2010, Kirstie worked with experts in science, nutrition, and medicine to develop Organic Liaison, which includes Rescue Me, the first ever USDA certified organic weight-loss product.
It’s safe to say that Kirstie Alley has been one of the busiest people in Hollywood for awhile now. So we’re glad she found some time to take to the stage on Dancing With The Stars!
Mike Catherwood. Photo credit: Kenneth Dolin Photography
Mike Catherwood – “Loveline’s Lover Boy”
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mike Catherwood (aka “Psycho Mike”) has an eclectic background from the city that made him the person he is today. Michael is a mixed-race Hispanic who immersed himself in the L.A. punk and hard rock scene as early as he can remember. He headed east to study theatre at Rutgers University, where he enjoyed the emerging Jersey punk scene.
After finishing school, Mike returned to L.A. to become a member of the top-rated Kevin & Bean Morning Show on KROQ-FM. Known to listeners as “Psycho Mike,” he has developed many of the show’s most well-known characters and segments. His often-controversial music has garnered him worldwide notice and acclaim.
In addition to the Kevin & Bean Show, Mike is the co-host of Loveline Radio with Dr. Drew Pinsky and has guest-hosted on E! Entertainment’s The Daily 10 and most recently on Live with Regis & Kelly. Mike has also done numerous successful voiceover and commercial campaigns for such clients as Major League Baseball, TNT, Discovery Channel and AT&T.
You won’t hear many punk songs on Dancing With The Stars, but we’re thinking a guy like “Psycho Mike” will make the most of anything thrown his way!
Petra Nemcova. Photo credit: 2010 Wire Image
Petra Nemcova – “The Super Model Survivor”
Born and raised in Karvina, in the Czech Republic, Petra Nemcova took the modeling world by storm after being discovered by a modeling scout on the streets of her native country. She has graced the pages and covers of magazines such as Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Shape, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
In 2004, Petra suffered a broken pelvis and severe internal injuries while on vacation in Thailand during the devastating Tsunami. After her recovery, she created the “Happy Hearts Fund” (www.happyheartsfund.org), a charitable organization and campaign dedicated to improving children’s lives through education and sustainable programs in natural disaster areas.
Happy Hearts Fund, since its inception in 2006, has rebuilt 47 schools and kindergartens, with eight currently on their way, and has presence in nine countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Sri Lanka, Haiti, India, Chile and Hurricane Katrina-affected areas of the United States. 100 percent of all donations received are directed to children’s programming.
Petra has obviously stepped up to great challenges in the past. Now she’ll have one more to embrace as she takes to the stage on Dancing With The Stars!
Ralph Macchio. Photo credit: Stephanie Pistel
Ralph Macchio – “The Karate Kid”
He’s a successful actor, writer, director and producer. And we’ll always love Ralph Macchio for being The Karate Kid. He chopped and kicked his way to stardom in that classic crowd-pleasing flick and as well as its successors, The Karate Kid, Part II and The Karate Kid, Part III. Ralph’s extensive list of film credits includes Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders and the hit comedy My Cousin Vinny. Among his multiple TV credits are: a two-season arc on ABC’s Ugly Betty, a comedic guest lead on the series Psych, as well as a guest lead on the ABC drama The Whole Truth. Ralph was also a guest star on the hit series Entourage as well as the comedy Head Case.
Ralph also recently appeared in a funnyordie.com viral video sensation, Wax On, #### Off, which has received raves from critics and viewers alike. Ralph made his Broadway debut starring opposite Robert De Niro in the sold-out Joseph Papp production of Cuba and His Teddy Bear at the Longacre Theatre.
Ralph has come a long way since the “All-Valley Under-18 Karate Tournament” and we can’t wait to see how far he goes on Dancing With The Stars!
Romeo - photo credit: 2008 Tim Alexander Photography
Romeo – “The Prince of Hip Hop”
Percy Romeo Miller, Jr. (we just know him as “Romeo”) is an American entertainer, actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He’s the son of businessman and music mogul Percy Miller. Romeo has sold over 10 million records as a multi-platinum music artist and has been awarded an American Music Award and a Grammy.
Named one of 2010’s Top Five Sexiest Men in the World, Romeo is the CEO of the multi-million dollar record company No Limit Forever and is the youngest entertainer to top the Billboard charts, doing so at age ten. He has dedicated his life to giving back to the community and helping at-risk youth with his foundation Urbanborn.org. He is also the founder and president of P. Miller and College Boyys clothing.
Romeo’s acting credits include his hit television show Romeo! on Nickelodeon as well as appearances on The Defenders and The Cape. He starred in the movie Honey, with Jessica Alba and co-stars in the upcoming film Jumping the Broom, with Angela Bassett.
You’d think all that would be enough, right? Wrong. Romeo is also studying business and film at USC. As a freshman, he and his basketball team made Southern Cal history by winning their first PAC-10 Championship.
Romeo understands the importance of education; therefore he remains a student at USC while he pursues his career in entertainment and business. He’s also in pursuit of a certain mirrored disco ball trophy as a competitor on Dancing With The Stars!
Sugar Ray Leonard. Photo credit: Debra Wald
Sugar Ray Leonard – “Boxing’s Best”
Sugar Ray Leonard is a legendary sports icon. His very name epitomizes boxing and conjures the image of a true champion.
Ray was host and mentor for the first three seasons of the TV series, The Contender, on NBC and ESPN. Regarding the big screen, Ray appeared in the The Fighter and served as a consultant on the upcoming film Real Steel, starring Hugh Jackman.
Having learned to box at 14, Ray’s career includes three National Golden Gloves titles, two Amateur Athletic Union championships and the 1975 Pan-American Games crown. After winning a boxing gold medal at the 1976 Olympic Games, he turned pro to help his family defer mounting medical bills incurred because of his father’s illness.
Howard Cosell dubbed Ray the “new Muhammad Ali.” In 1977, at age 20, Leonard won his first pro fight. He went on to defeat some of the finest boxers of the modern era, including Wilfred Benetiz, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler, from whom Ray won the world middleweight title.
During his 20-year professional career, Ray also won world titles in the welterweight, junior middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. He was the first boxer to win world titles in five different weight classes, a record that stands to this day.
Ray has been a successful TV broadcaster for NBC, ABC, HBO and ESPN and has fostered commercial endorsement relationships with companies including EA Sports, Vartec Telecom, Track Inc., Ford, Carnation, 7-Up, Nabisco, Coca-Cola and Revlon.
Ray is also among the most sought after motivational/inspirational speakers in the world. His speech, entitled “POWER” (Prepare, Overcome, and Win Every Round), is consistently booked with major Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Ray will release his first autobiography entitled “The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring” on June 7, 2011, which he developed with veteran author Michael Arkush.
Ray has always been devoted to the community and for many years has been the international chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk for a Cure. He also participates in a variety of national and international causes benefiting children’s charities. Ray has four children and lives in Southern California with his wife, Bernadette.
We know all about Sugar Ray Leonard’s moves in the boxing ring. Now we can’t wait for him to knock us out in the dance floor!
Wendy Williams - photo credit: Karl Giant / The Wendy Williams Show
Wendy Williams – “The Queen of All Media”
Called a “breakthrough in daytime” by The New York Times, Wendy Williams burst onto the national talk show scene in 2009 with the launch of her daily, syndicated program, The Wendy Williams Show. Touted by People as one of the “best shows of 2009,” the critically-acclaimed series now has the distinction of being destination television.
A mother, wife and bestselling author, Wendy built a devoted following from her years as one of radio’s most popular personalities. In addition to her daytime TV success, Wendy will host GSN’s new original series Love Triangle, slated to premiere April of 2011.
Wendy was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame (only the second African American woman to be honored by the organization) in November of 2009. She is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, “Wendy’s Got The Heat” and “The Wendy Williams Experience.” Well, Wendy’s next experience has her taking center stage on Dancing With The Stars. Can’t wait to see her in action!
As usual, there is an eclectic roster for the upcoming season, ranging from a rapper to a supermodel, the obligatory sports competitors and a talk show queen. There is only one thing I hope for – that Romeo fulfills his obligation this time around so we don’t have to suffer through watching his father, Master P, try to dance. That was just unbearable!
I’ll be posting weekly recaps so don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook!
Source: ABC Entertainment
Linda
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