'Dancing with the Stars' kicks off with huge opening performance featuring Jason Derulo

"Dancing with the Stars" is back, and, for the first time ever, the show will premiere with a massive opening number featuring all pro dancers as they perform live with musical guest Jason Derulo. Derulo will sing his mega hit song "Talk Dirty," marking the first time ever a musical guest has accompanied a season's opening number. Each couple will then perform a cha cha, foxtrot or contemporary routine, vying for America's vote. The two-hour season premiere begins Monday, March 17, at 8 p.m. on ABC.

This season, "Macy's Stars of Dance" returns to "Dancing with the Stars" with creative oversight by Emmy Award-winning choreographer and pro dancer Derek Hough. "Macy's Stars of Dance" showcases some of the best choreography and performers from all different styles of dance, and gives them the opportunity to perform in front of a national audience. 

As previously announced on "Good Morning America," "DWTS" will feature a new game-changing twist called "The Switch Up." For the first time ever, America will be given the power to vote and change celebrities and professional dance pairings. This new rule will affect all couples, as they will be required to switch partners at one point in the season. Never before have dance partnerships been split up during the course of competition.

The celebrities and their partners for season 18 of "Dancing with the Stars" are:

• Sean Avery and Karina Smirnoff
• Candace Cameron Bure and Mark Ballas
• Drew Carey and Cheryl Burke
• Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
• NeNe Leakes and Tony Dovolani
• James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd
• Danica McKellar and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
• Diana Nyad and Henry Byalikov
• Amy Purdy and Derek Hough
• Cody Simpson and Witney Carson
• Charlie White and Sharna Burgess
• Billy Dee Williams and Emma Slater

Viewers may cast their votes for their favorite teams via phone on Monday nights during and up to 60 minutes after the end of the "Dancing with the Stars" broadcast in each time zone. Online voting at www.ABC.com and on Facebook at https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ is open for 24 hours, beginning from the start of each episode on the East Coast at 8 p.m., and closing at 8 p.m. on Tuesday evenings.

Hosted by Emmy-winning host Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews (sports host and "Dancing with the Stars" season 10 finalist), "Dancing with the Stars" is the hit series in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines that are judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

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