Dancing With the Stars has stunned us again with another lineup of “celebrities” to fill the dance card for the 23rd (!) season of the immensely popular ABC competition series. And the mix is just as diverse as in previous seasons, with television personalities, musicians, athletes, and more.
Most notable is Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte, who is clearly riding his latest 15 minutes of fame (or infamy) following his time in Rio. The swimmer reportedly lied about being robbed at gunpoint, making all talk about his actual athletic abilities fall to the wayside as the media pounced on the “scandal.” What’s his next step? Reality television, of course!
Other athletes that will appear include fellow Olympian Laurie Hernandez (gymnastics), Calvin Johnson, a former wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, and race car driver James Hinchcliffe.
There are several notable cast members from the music side of the celebrity business, including ’90s rapper Vanilla Ice (Robert Van Winkle). While he achieved most of his success more than three decades ago, Ice has re-emerged on the scene of late, including as a star in his own series, The Vanilla Ice Project, on the DIY Network, which has a successful six seasons under its belt. He also played Mark Twain in the 2015 Netflix comedy The Ridiculous Six. But you can bet he’ll break out those wide pants and Ice, Ice Baby during the show.
Joining him from the music side is Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, a popular R&B singer, songwriter, and music producer from the same era, and country singer Jana Kramer (she also starred on the television show One Tree Hill).
Several actors have also been thrown into the mix, including Maureen McCormick, best know as Marsha Brady from The Brady Bunch; Terra Jole from Little Women LA; Jake T. Austin from The Fosters, and Marilu Henner, best known for playing Elaine O’Connor Nardo on the 1970s-’80s sitcom Taxi. Henner is all-too familiar with reality TV competitions: she also appeared on the first The Celebrity Apprentice season back in 2008. (She was fired in the eighth episode.)
Model Amber Rose, who now hosts her own talk show, The Amber Rose Show, on VH1, will be competing. She’s best known for dating rapper Kanye West. And finally, DWTS is going political with the addition of former presidential candidate Rick Perry.
The 23rd season of Dancing With the Stars will premiere at 8 p.m. Monday, September 12 on ABC. American model, actor, and activist for the deaf Nyle DiMarco took home the trophy last season.
