Dancing With The Stars announced season 21 cast
Dancing With The Stars is back for season 21 and they’re bringing Gary Busey along for the ride.
The fall television season is nearly upon us and while we can expect some returning favorites and some exciting new shows, one existing show always seems to kick it up a notch. Dancing With The Stars returns on Monday September 14 for a two hour season premiere.
On Monday, ABC announced the casting for the long-running televised dance competition that pits actors, musicians, and athletes against each other in various ballroom dance routines. Season 21 will feature a wide array of interesting characters for your viewing pleasure.
– Everyone’s favorite actor off his meds, Gary Busey will be paired with Anna Trebunskaya and will be taking a few cuts and spins on the dance floor after previous stops on Celebrity Apprentice. Busey will likely be ratings gold, as his ability to dance will likely be as random as the words that come out of the mouth of the former The Buddy Holly Story actor. We can only hope he invokes his Entourage persona on the dance floor.
– Fomer Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter will also be cutting a rug with dance partner Sharna Burgess. Carter is no stranger to reality TV, having had his life filmed in two separate reality programs; House of Carters and I (Heart) Nick Carter.
– Tamar Braxton, the sister of singer Toni Braxton and a Grammy-nominated artist in her own right, will join Valentin Chmerkovsky on the floor. She’s also seen the other side of the camera, having been featured on two reality shows; Braxton Family Values and Tamar & Vince.
– Jockey Victor Espinoza is coming off of horse racing glory after winning the Triple Crown aboard American Pharoah this summer. Now he’s looking to add the glittery disco ball to his trophy case on Dancing With The Stars. He’ll be paired with a favorite among pro partners, Karina Smirnoff.
– Everyone’s favorite southern cook Paula Dean will be joining the competition. Keeping her feet on the floor will be key to her not sticking them in her mouth as she teams with Louis Van Amstel.
– Everyone remembers the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin right? As unfortunate as his death was a few years back, his daughter Bindi Irwin will join the cast to remind us the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. She’s kept up with her dad’s legacy by hosting a number of nature related shows, as well as starring in similarly themed movies. She’ll be teamed with Derek Hough.
– A mogul of the music world, Chaka Khan has won ten Grammy Awards over a career that has produced 22 albums and included works in films and the art world. Khan will toe the dance floor with partner Keo Motsepe.
– With twin boys roaming around, Spy Kids gets played a lot in my house. However, it should be noted that little Carmen Cortez has grown up in a big way. Actress Alexa Penavega has appeared on shows like Nashville, as well as movies like Machete Kills and From Prada to Nada. She’ll be an interesting contestant to watch as she teams with partner Mark Ballas.
– What makes it interesting is that she’ll compete against her husband, Carlos Penavega. Carlos appeared on Big Time Rush and is currently topping the Spanish music charts with his first solo effort. He’ll team up with Witney Carson.
– It didn’t take long for ABC to find an American hero to latch onto for the show. National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos was one of the brave group of friends that overtook a terrorist aboard a Belgian train last month. Skarlatos has been praised for his actions, including receiving a medal of honor from the French government for his actions. He’ll draw Lindsay Arnold as his dance partner.
– Another member of the reality TV lifestyle, Kim Zolciak Biermann will join the cast and pair up with Tony Dovolani. Biermann is perhaps best known as a cast member on Real Housewives of Atlanta as well as her singles Tardy For The Party and Google Me.
– Finally, it wouldn’t be Dancing With The Stars without the contestant you seriously have to work hard to find. That honor goes to Hayes Grier, a social media mogul on Vine, where he’s received 332 million loops and counting. It’s a trait that apparently runs in the family, but one that albeit has escaped this dinosaur from noticing. He’ll be dancing with Emma Slater.
These 12 contestants will compete for America’s love in front of hosts Erin Andrews and Tom Bergeron. 14.72 million viewers tuned in for the season 20 finale.
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