After 30 seasons on ABC, Dancing With the Stars is moving to Disney+ for season 31 (which premieres September 19). The new cast was announced on September 8 on Good Morning America and the list of celebs competing for the Mirror Ball trophy this time around includes actors, musicians, influencers, and, of course, a stable of reality stars (including a Real Housewife, a Drag Queen, and a Bachelorette).
Here’s a full breakdown of the 16 celebs who have been tapped to compete on the Disney+ DWTS.
Joseph Baena
The fitness model/actor is partnered up with Daniella Karagach and, even if you haven’t heard of him before, you’ve *definitely* heard of his dad, who just happens to be Arnold Schwarzenegger. And, yes, he inherited his dad’s athletic bod and competitive mindset (both of which should come in handy on DWTS). “One of the big things I learned from Dad was not to have the ten-rep mentality,” Joseph told Men’s Health earlier this year. “It’s pushing yourself to the limits and going that extra mile, getting those extra reps and half reps till you’re basically dying.”
Selma Blair
The actress, who is dancing with Sasha Farber on the show, told E! News that competing on DWTS marks the beginning of a “new chapter” for her amid her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis. “It is for the viewer, because that is what’s given me support. In dark times in my life, there have been people that came forward—strangers on the street or Instagram… I’m doing it for them,” she explained. “Kindness and visibility is so important, to explore, be curious and expose people to differences of speech or movement. It’s for everyone at home that it resonates with.”
Wayne Brady
Actor/singer/comedian/host/all-around national treasure Wayne Brady is partnering with Witney Carson for DWTS and dancing in honor of his late grandmother. “My grandmother passed and she loved the show, so I’m dedicating this season to her and I just want to have fun for her,” he explained on Good Morning America.
Sam Champion
Speaking of Good Morning America, GMA contributor and WABC-TV New York weather anchor Sam Champion is also joining the competition for the season 31 Mirror Ball, alongside his dancing partner, Cheryl Burke.
Charli D’Amelio
TikTok star Charli D’Amelio is dancing with Mark Ballas on DWTS, but she also has the support of her real-life partner, Landon Barker—and some very famous members of his family, too. “Landon knows that I’m doing this. He’s with me every step of the way throughout this journey. [His dad] Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian, I told them about it, and they were super excited as well,”Charli told Us Weekly. “I think, overall, it’s just going to be really fun and I have a very great group around me. Landon is awesome. So I’m glad he’s gonna be there supporting me.”
Heidi D’Amelio
Charli isn’t the only member of the D’Amelio family in the DWTS cast this season. Her mom, Heidi, is also dancing (partnered with Artem Chigvintsev) and said she was “shocked” to be invited to join the cast. Charli was surprised too, telling People that she thought it was a prank when producers first told them she and her mom would both be on the show. “But when they were like, ‘ No this is real,’ I was so excited for the both of us,” Charli added. “Especially to do this together!”
Jessie James Decker
The country singer is dancing with Alan Bersten and has made it clear that she’s very excited about joining the cast of DWTS. “Let’s do this @alanbersten !!!!” she captioned an Instagram picture of her and Alan. “So excited to be part of @dancingwiththestars season 31 🙈💃🏼😆 ahhhh I can’t stop smiling!!!!!!”
Trevor Donovan
The actor (who you might remember as Teddy Montgomery on The CW’s 90210) is partnered up with Emma Slater for his DWTS stint—which he says he’s pretty damn nervous about. “Nervous, scared, and excited,” he tweeted about the news. “Doing this for you #TeamUpstanders. How can I ask you kids to be brave and face your fears if I don’t face my own… and I’m pretty terrified. Here’s to facing fears #DWTS31.”
Daniel Durant
CODA star Daniel Durant and his pro partner Britt Stewart both made it clear on Instagram just how excited they are to be dancing together on DWTS this season. “I am so proud and excited to be on @dancingwiththestars!” the deaf actor wrote on Instagram. “I can’t wait to dance…with my amazing partner @brittbenae 🕺.“
Teresa Giudice
Representing the Real Housewives franchise this season is Teresa Giudice, who is partnered up with Pasha Pashkov. Teresa hopes her time on DWTS will show fans a different side of her than they’ve seen on Real Housewives of New Jersey. “I really want America to really get to tap into the real Teresa Giudice and really get to know the real Teresa Giudice and not the Teresa that … everyone’s trying to trigger,” she told Us Weekly of her DWTS goals. “I do have that Italian temper, but I’ve been working on myself. You guys will see [some of that] next season. … I’m proud of myself.”
Vinny Guadagnino
Vinny Guadagnino (who is dancing with Koko Iwasaki) is the third Jersey Shore alum to do DWTS (Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino was on Season 11 and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi was on Season 17) and he says his co-stars are being “so supportive” of his casting. “The group chat is lit right now,” he told E! News of their reaction to him joining DWTS.
Cheryl Ladd
Charlie’s Angel star Cheryl Ladd is dancing with Louis van Amstel this season. The 71-year-old actress said she’s been asked to do the show multiple times in the past, but finally felt like the time was right to say yes. “It’s just the perfect time for me to do it and to try,” she explained (per ABC7). “It’s a challenge—especially at this age—but I’m all for it.”
Jason Lewis
Jason Lewis (AKA Smith Jerrod from Sex and the City) says the world has his fianceé, Liz Godwin, to thank for the fact that he’ll be dancing with pro Peta Murgatroyd on DWTS this season. “I’d always said no to it because I perceived it as reality TV, and it wasn’t a point of interest,” he told People. “This year, when the offer came in, my fianceé asked me to be a little less pigheaded and at least take a look at a show. And so I saw [the] first episode she put on the TV, and I was awestruck. It is incredibly beautifully done. The dancers are so talented.”
Shangela
Shangela, who is making DWTS history as the show’s first drag queen contestant, is partnered with Gleb Savchenko and excited to break new ground on the series. “I’m the first person to ever be able to compete in drag on Dancing with the Stars in the history of the show here, so I hope that we show people that it’s all about the heart and soul of who you are as a person,” he told People. “It doesn’t matter if it’s two men dancing together, if it’s a man or a drag entertainer like myself dancing together. It’s about the spirit of dance and the fun, and the ability to connect and to learn more about other people’s worlds.”
Jordin Sparks
The American Idol alum is both “terrified and excited” about her upcoming return to the world of reality TV competition. “I don’t know why I’m doing this to myself again!” she joked in an interview with E! News at a DWTS event with her partner, Brandon Armstrong.
Gabby Windey
The Bachelorette star and former NFL cheerleader is partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy and says she thinks DWTS will “be a good shift of gears” from the “high emotion” of being the Bachelorette. As for her DWTS game plan, Gabby told Us Weekly she’s going to “listen to everything that Val says and work hard and hopefully just have some fun.” “They just say to be yourself,” she added. “So, we’ll see if that’s enough.”
Source: Read Full Article
