Dancing With the Stars--Season 9 "Stars" Announced

Hello Dance Fans! The "Biggest Cast Yet" is revealed for this season's "Dancing With the Stars". Um...that's based on sheer numbers (16) and not, as you might think, either star power or actual weight. (Something they have yet to try...you know, kind of like a cross between "Dancing With the Stars" and "The Biggest Loser". Oh, wait, that's been done with this year's fabulous(?) "Dance Your A$$ Off" (replace the dollar signs with the letter "s" and you'll get the actual title) starring Season 6's Marissa Jaret Winokur.)

And here they are...in no particular order...unless you count alphabetical, which Samantha Harris wouldn't because...well, that would involve knowing all her letters. Oh, no! Kind of early in the season for me to be THAT catty. But, it's been a long DWTS-less summer and I've had no one to make fun of for months!

(All information taken directly from the ABC Web site, so don't blame me for their sarcastic comments--I've got plenty of my own!)



AARON CARTER
PROFESSION: Singer, Actor
BACKGROUND: He's toured the world and sold millions of records as a teen pop sensation. But can this multi-platinum artist step up to the challenge on the DWTS dance floor? As a singer-songwriter, producer and actor, Aaron Carter has established himself worldwide as a pop and teen sensation. He's also the younger brother of Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys. Beginning his career at the age of eight, Aaron is currently the youngest solo artist to have four Top 40 singles. He's released four studio albums since 1997, two of which have been certified platinum. Carter has appeared on several television series, including Lizzie McGuire and 7th Heaven, and he made his Broadway debut playing JoJo the Who in Seussical the Musical in 2001. Additionally, he contributed songs to the soundtracks for Disneymania, Ella Enchanted, Pokemon and The Rugrats Movie. In 2006, Carter starred in the E! reality show, House of Carters, which featured all five of the Carter siblings living in the same house.

ASHLEY HAMILTON
PROFESSION: Actor, Songwriter and Comedian
BACKGROUND: This fall we get to watch Ashley Hamilton follow in the footsteps of his famous father, George Hamilton, who was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars during Season 2. A multi-talented multi-hyphenate, Ashley has tackled the worlds of film, music, stand-up comedy and television. He's written tunes for such top pop artists as Meredith Brooks, Sugar Ray, Robbie Williams and Hillary Duff. Ashley has also made numerous television and film appearances as an actor, including a starring role in the soap Sunset Beach and guest appearances on Meet the Family and Oz. Once chosen as one the 50 most beautiful men in the world by People Magazine, he most recently has been performing stand-up comedy at The Laugh Factory, The Hollywood Improv, The Comedy Store, and Room 5 in Los Angeles.

CHUCK LIDDELL
PROFESSION: Mixed Martial Artist and Ultimate Fighting Champion
BACKGROUND: He may be a mean bruisin' machine, but will this Ultimate Fighter's skills help him to make high kicks on the dance floor? Chuck Liddell is the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and an icon of Mixed Martial Arts—the fastest growing sport in America. In 1998, he won his first UFC Mixed Martial Arts fight and quickly rose through the ranks to become the light-heavyweight champion of the world. In July of 2009, Liddell was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. He is tied for the most wins by a UFC fighter with 16, and also holds the most knockout wins with 10. A popular film and television personality, Chuck has appeared in the movies 300, Cradle 2 the Grave, Bachelor Party Vegas, The Death and Life of Bobby Z and Drillbit Taylor. He starred as "Graft" in Blade: The Series and had guest cameos in Inked and Entourage. In 2008, Chuck penned his autobiography, Iceman: My Fighting Life, which quickly became a New York Times bestseller. He earned a BA in Business/Accounting from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he also wrestled. Watch out—he's smart and dangerous!

DEBI MAZAR
PROFESSION: Actor
BACKGROUND: We've seen Debi do her share of dancing to the beat in music videos and on the iconic show Graffiti Rock. Now she's set to show the judges some all new moves on Season 9 of DWTS! Known for her no nonsense New York attitude, actor Debi Mazar started her entertainment career as Madonna's makeup artist and appeared in several of her music videos. Since her breakout role in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, she has gone on to work with acclaimed Oliver Stone (The Doors), Spike Lee (in Malcolm X), Joel Shumacher (Batman Forever), and Woody Allen (Bullets Over Broadway).Mazar has also appeared on the ABC series Ugly Betty, and on the CW's Privileged. She currently stars on the HBO series Entourage as the sharp-tongued publicist, Shauna. Debi and her husband Gabriele Corcos host a popular internet cooking show called Under the Tuscan Gun.

DONNY OSMOND
PROFESSION: Singer, actor, TV presenter
BACKGROUND: We all watched his sister Marie advance to third place in Season 5 of DWTS. Now it's big brother's turn to slip on the dance shoes. Donnie Osmond won the hearts of millions after racking up hits like "Puppy Love," "One Bad Apple" and "Soldier Of Love," as both a member of the Osmonds and as a solo artist. With his sister (and Dancing with the Stars alumna) Marie, they became the youngest co-hosts in prime time history on the iconic ABC variety series Donny & Marie. Additionally, Osmond was the singing voice of Captain Li Shang in Disney's 1998 animated feature Mulan. He also starred opposite Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symone in the Disney comedy College Road Trip. Donny and Marie are currently performing at the Las Vegas Flamingo Hotel through 2012. For nearly five decades, Donny Osmond has been a singer, musician, Broadway and film actor, talk show and game show host, best-selling author, and even a champion race car driver.

JOANNA KRUPA
PROFESSION: Actor, Model
BACKGROUND: It's about to get hot on the dance floor in Season 9 of DWTS, and it's not just because of the extreme workout the contestants are getting! One of the "Sexiest Women in the World" according to Maxim magazine and E!, Joanna Krupa was born in Poland and raised in Chicago. Her exotic looks and diverse talents have made her one of the most requested models in the world. JoJo's ad for PETA's "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign became a world-wide phenomenon. Her film and TV credits include Six Days in Paradise, Ripple Effect, Las Vegas and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Most recently she competed in ABC's The Superstars teaming with Buffalo Bills NFL star Terrell Owens.

KATHY IRELAND
PROFESSION: Model, actor, author, Sunday School teacher and CEO of Kathy Ireland Worldwide
BACKGROUND: Would you ever guess that this famous bikini beauty runs a billion dollar business? We're anxious to see if she can match her success in business on the floor of the Dancing with the Stars set! Kathy is the CEO of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, a $1.4 billion design empire celebrated by Forbes, Newsweek and the Wall Street Journal. Now a wife, mother of three, Sunday school teacher and author, she has recently published the book Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity. This supermodel-turned-super-mogul has been featured in Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue for 13 consecutive years. She also appeared in numerous television and movie roles including Melrose Place, Side Out, Mr. Destiny, National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1, Once Upon a Christmas, Mom and Dad Save the World and Necessary Roughness. Kathy has been recognized by UCLA as one of the Top Ten Women's Health Advocates in America for her humanitarian work with non-profits, such as Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation, Feed the Children, and the Alliance for Christian Education.

KELLY OSBOURNE
PROFESSION: Singer, actress and media personality
BACKGROUND: We watched her navigate her way through adolescence on The Osbournes. Here's hoping she's equally as nimble on her toes, on DWTS! Daughter of rock icon Ozzy Osbourne and well-known TV personality Sharon Osbourne, Kelly made a name for herself by starring in the first ever "celebrity reality" TV show, The Osbournes, alongside her famous family. The show became a huge hit for its portrayal of the crass, close-knit rock and roll clan, and won an Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program in 2002. Kelly capitalized on her popularity by becoming a sought-after singer, actress and media personality. Her debut music album Shut Up! included a cover of Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach." Her second album, Sleeping in Nothing, was released in 2005 with its first single, "One Word," hitting #1 on all three Billboard Dance charts simultaneously. Osbourne's dramatic acting debut on the ABC series Life As We Know It earned her rave reviews. Since then, she has worked primarily in the UK, where she's done theater (including a successful run in Chicago in London's West End in 2007) and hosted her own weekly radio show on BBC Radio. Kelly has also presented numerous international TV projects, including Project Catwalk, the British version of Project Runway, and the 2005 MTV Australia Video Music Awards.

LOUIE VITO
PROFESSION: Professional snowboarder
BACKGROUND: We can't wait to watch this champion pro boarder shuffle down from the slopes to the floor of the Dancing with the Stars set in Season 9. Daredevil Louie Vito is among the U.S.'s elite snowboarders favored to make the 2010 Olympic team. Competing in both the Pipe and Slopestyle disciplines, Vito continues to train for the Grand Prix qualifying. The 21-year-old turned pro in 2006 and has competed in multiple Winter X-Games competitions. He is also a two-time winner of the USSA Grand Prix Halfpipe Series. His technical diversity and charismatic personality make him one of the most sought-after riders today.

MACY GRAY
PROFESSION: R&B singer-songwriter
BACKGROUND: The raspy-voiced soul singer is out to prove she has as much rhythm in her feet as she does in her vocal chords when she takes to a very different stage than she's used to on DWTS Season 9. On How Life Is is the name of Macy Gray's debut album, and what a life she's had since being discovered while working as a cashier in Beverly Hills in the 1990s. After four albums, she's sold over 20 million records and has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and six MTV Video Music Awards. Her next album is due out later this year. On DTWS, Gray will have to learn how to work well with her dancing partner, but she's no stranger to collaboration, having written songs with some of the music industry's biggest names, such as Justin Timberlake, Carlos Santana, Fergie, and Natalie Cole. She's also had a successful acting career, appearing in the films Training Day, Domino, Spider-Man and Idlewild.

MARK DACASCOS
PROFESSION: TV host, Kung Fu champion, actor
BACKGROUND: Can The Chairman cha-cha his way into the championships, or will he have to return to Kitchen Stadium empty handed? Famously known as "The Chairman" and the host of Food Network's Iron Chef America, Dacascos is also a champion martial artist and actor. And it's no surprise that Mark is world renowned in Kung Fu—both of his parents are former national champions and teachers. Mark was first discovered walking down the street in San Francisco's Chinatown. Before joining Iron Chef America in 2005, Mark has played not only martial artists, but a wide array of characters over the course of his film and television career. He has appeared in several feature films including the internationally acclaimed French epic, Brotherhood of the Wolf, the cult classic Only the Strong, Cradle 2 the Grave opposite Jet Li, Only the Brave, Nomad, and The Lost Medallion, to be released later this year.

MELISSA JOAN HART
PROFESSION: Actor, Producer, Director
BACKGROUND: We've been watching this talented beauty on stage, screen and TV ever since she was a little girl. As much as we loved her as a child, we're glad she's all grown up and taking her talents to the DWTS stage!Known for her starring roles in the television series Clarissa Explains It All and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, 1990's teen sensation Melissa Joan Hart literally made a big splash into acting at age 4 in a commercial for "Splashy" the bathtub doll. She successfully made the transition from teen star to accomplished actor, director and producer. She starred in the film Drive Me Crazy alongside Entourage's Adrian Grenier as well as the ABC Family Original Movie Holiday in Handcuffs opposite Dancing with the Stars alumni Mario Lopez, which was the highest rated program in the history of the network. Her latest project, the ABC Family Original Movie My Fake Fiancé, was also a huge rating hit. In 1993, Hart started her own production company, Hartbreak Films, and is set to release her first thriller film Nine Dead to DVD in January 2010. Hart and husband Mark Wilkerson are the proud parents of two sons, Mason, age 3, and Braydon, 17 months.

MICHAEL IRVIN
PROFESSION: ESPN radio host and former Dallas Cowboy
BACKGROUND: It's like this: While Irvin was catching the pigskin for the Dallas Cowboys, the team played three Superbowls and won them all. Coincidence? No way. Regarded as one of the most successful wide receivers in the history of the NFL, this guy, known as "The Playmaker" and one of "The Triplets" alongside fellow Cowboys Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith,received the coveted Dallas Cowboys "Ring of Honor" in 2005 and in 2007 was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame. We're talking serious SKILLS. Off the field, he's been just as entertaining to watch. The former broadcaster for ESPN's NFL Countdown has appeared in various TV shows as well as co-starred in The Longest Yard with Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. Last fall, Irvin executive produced/hosted the reality TV series 4th and Long for Spike TV, in which one football hopeful was given a shot at making the Dallas Cowboys roster. Most recently, he appeared on the Hall of Fame inductions on the NFL Network and now hosts his own radio show in Dallas for ESPN Radio. We already know he looks great in uniform and stellar in a suit. Now we can't wait to see what he looks like in sequins and Samba shoes...

MYA
PROFESSION: Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor
BACKGROUND: Will we watch this sultry singer find her Latin rhythm and rumba away with the treasured disco ball? Mya exploded onto the music scene at age 18 with her eponymous debut album, which yielded three Top 10 singles. She became an instant star known for her edgy lyrics and dance moves. This Grammy-winning multi-platinum artist is a true all-around performer who has expanded her successful singing career to acting, dancing, modeling and record producing. Mya is also signed to the famed Ford Modeling Agency and has appeared in several movies, including Chicago, Shall We Dance, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and Cursed. Mya's sixth studio album is due to be released this year on her own indie label. A longtime advocate for young women, she founded The Mya Arts & Tech Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing disadvantaged youth growth and opportunity through arts and technology education, where she serves as both executive director and teacher.

NATALIE COUGHLIN
PROFESSION: Olympic Swimming Gold Medalist
BACKGROUND: There are plenty of medals adorning this Olympic swimmer's mantle. Is there any room left up there for the coveted DWTS disco ball trophy? Olympic swimming gold medalist Natalie Coughlin is the most decorated female athlete of both the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Games. She won a medal in every single Olympic event that she ever entered—giving her a total of 11. In 2008, she became the first American female athlete to win six medals in one Olympiad. Additionally, she became the first woman to win consecutive individual Olympic gold medals in the 100m backstroke. Coughlin is also the most decorated female swimmer in World Championship history with sixteen medals. Born and raised in northern California, Natalie first began swimming at the local YMCA when she was only 10 months old. At age 15, she became the first swimmer to qualify for the Summer National in all 14 events. A scholar-athlete, she attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a B.A. in psychology in 2005. Recently, Natalie was nominated as the Top Female Athlete of the Year at the 2009 ESPY Awards.

TOM DeLAY
PROFESSION: Politician
BACKGROUND: DWTS is a long way from Washington D.C.'s world of politics, so we're anxious to see just how well this Texas native can do the two-step! One of the most influential Republican figures in the early 2000s, Tom DeLay rose through the ranks in the United States House of Representatives to become the Majority Leader of the Republican Party. His aggressive "Grow the Vote" method of party discipline, where he never lost a vote, earned him the nickname of "The Hammer" from the Washington Post. As foster parents, Tom and his wife Christine are dedicated to improving America's foster care system and have founded Rio Bend, a community that serves as a safe, permanent home for abused and neglected children. He is currently President of First Principles LLC, a strategic political consulting firm based in Washington D.C. and Houston, Texas.


Coming soon to a computer near you. The matching game! Yes, just as soon as I do a bit of research, we'll be playing the "What Predetermined Category of 'Star' Does this Person Fit?" game. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, block out Monday and Tuesday nights starting September 21st for...let's see...with 16 stars...oh, just block them for the rest of your life for the time being so you don't risk missing any of the exciting happenings!