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`Dancing with the Stars`: Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson. The stars grace the ballroom floor for the first time on live national television with their professional partners during the two-hour season premiere, which airs Monday, Sept. 15 (8 p.m.) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC photo by Craig Sjodin)
"Dancing with the Stars": Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson. The stars grace the ballroom floor for the first time on live national television with their professional partners during the two-hour season premiere, which airs Monday, Sept. 15 (8 p.m.) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC photo by Craig Sjodin)

ABC announces this season's 'Dancing with the Stars'

by jmaloni

Submitted

Thu, Sep 4th 2014 06:30 pm

Celebrity cast and professional pairings live on "Good Morning America"

Julianne Hough is back in the ballroom joining Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli at the judges' desk

"Dancing with the Stars" premieres live Monday, Sept. 15

This season's "Dancing with the Stars" cast of celebrity dancers includes a fashion icon, a YouTube sensation, a NASCAR legend, and a movie star, to name a few. The stars will grace the ballroom floor for the first time on live national television with their professional partners during the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars," which airs Monday, Sept. 15 (8-10:01 p.m.), on the ABC Television Network. One couple will be eliminated on the "Dancing with the Stars" results show the following day, Tuesday, Sept. 16 (8 p.m.).

The 13 professional dancers teaching the celebrity cast how to bring heat to the dance floor are Mark Ballas, Cheryl Burke, Sharna Burgess, Witney Carson, Artem Chigvintsev, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Tony Dovolani, Allison Holker, Derek Hough, Keo Motsepe, Peta Murgatroyd, Emma Slater and Karina Smirnoff. Two-time Mirrorball champion and movie star Julianne Hough joins Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba at the judges' desk.

As announced this morning on ABC's "Good Morning America" by "Dancing with the Stars" hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, the 13 celebrities with their professional partners heading to the dance floor this season (in alphabetical order) are:

Jonathan Bennett - Though his striking good looks may have made Bennett an object of affection for the "plastics" in "Mean Girls," his talent and commitment are what have led him to become one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood. Bennett's first foray into feature films was in Paramount's smash hit "Mean Girls" from producer Lorne Michaels and writer Tina Fey, in which he starred opposite Lindsay Lohan. In the romantic comedy "Lovewrecked" for the Weinstein Co., Bennett transitioned into the love interest of Amanda Bynes. More recently, Bennett executive produced and starred in the film "Authors Anonymous" opposite Kaley Cuoco. Bennett partners with new "Dancing with the Stars" pro Allison Holker. Follow @j_benntt, @AllisonHolker

Tommy Chong - Grammy Award-winning comedian Chong is legendary for his invaluable contribution to comedy and American counter-culture as part of the legendary comedy team Cheech & Chong. During their reign, the twosome recorded six gold comedy albums, including the 1974 Grammy winner "Los Cochinos," and starred in seven films, most of which Chong co-wrote and directed. After "Up In Smoke," Cheech and Chong starred in a string of successful films that remain hugely popular via the rental market. The duo are together again for their third tour since reuniting - the "Up in Smoke Tour," with select shows with legendary musical group WAR. Chong also recently just shot the indie film "It's Gawd!," scheduled for release later this year. Chong partners with Peta Murgatroyd. Follow @TommyChong,@PetaMurgatroyd

Randy Couture - As a six-time world champion and hall of famer in the fastest growing sport in the world, Couture is a true icon in the sport of mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In addition to his stellar standing in combat sports, Randy is also a successful businessman, best-selling author and action movie star. His growing career in acting includes the hit films "The Expendables" and "The Expendables 2," opposite Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis. He recently reprised his role as Toll Road in "The Expendables 3." On the television front, as a part of his multiyear talent, development and production deal with Spike TV, Couture served as a coach on the first season of "Fight Master: Bellator MMA" in summer 2013 and Spike's new reality show "Gym Rescue," for which he also serves as an executive producer. Couture partners with Karina Smirnoff. Follow @Randy_Couture, @Karina_Smirnoff

Betsey Johnson - Known for her over-the-top celebration of the exuberant and the embellished, Johnson has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique and original designs since the 1960s. Her commitment to remain true to her one-of-a-kind vision has afforded her continued success in an industry known for its fickleness. Johnson's ability to change with the times while keeping her designs pure has not gone unnoticed. Betsey Johnson, both the woman and the label, is constantly moving forward and continues to keep a strong foothold in the fashion industry with no signs of letting up anytime soon. Johnson partners with Tony Dovolani. Follow @xoBetseyJohnson, @TonyDovolani

Lolo Jones - Jones, born in Des Moines, Iowa, is one of the greatest track athletes of her generation, and one of the greatest American hurdlers of all time. The American record holder at 60 meters, Jones was a three-time national champion at Louisiana State University (which led to being named All-American 11 times). After college, she only got faster, winning the U.S. indoor national championship three times, and then she topped that by winning gold medals at the indoor World Championships twice. In addition to appearances at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics for hurdles, Jones became just the 10th American in history to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics, as a member of the U.S. Bobsled Team for the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia. Jones partners with new "Dancing with the Stars" pro Keo Motsepe. Follow @lolojones, @KeoDancer

Bethany Mota-In only five years, YouTube sensation, fashion designer, and beauty expert Mota has become one of the most recognizable names on social media. Today, her YouTube channel has more than 7 million subscribers, and her videos have been viewed almost 500 million times. Mota got her start when she created a channel on YouTube under the moniker Macbarbie07 in June 2009. Originally intended as a fun outlet for a tween girl to share her opinions on fashion and style, her charismatic personality and unique eye for popular trends have earned her a devoted following on multiple platforms. Mota partners with Derek Hough. Follow @BethanyMota, @DerekHough

Janel Parrish - Born in Hawaii, Parrish started her career with a love for music. She entered and won a statewide singing contest at age 6 and soon followed that with being cast in the National Touring Company and Broadway Company of "Les Miserables" as Little Cosette. It wasn't long before her Broadway experience and recognition led to acting auditions in Hollywood. Currently, Parrish can be seen as Mona in the top-rated ABC Family TV series, "Pretty Little Liars." Parrishpartners with Valentin Chmerkovskiy. Follow @JanelParrish, @iamValC

Alfonso Ribeiro - Ribeiro's interests and loves vary from acting (best known for his role as Carlton Banks on "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air") to his active career today as a television director, host and voice-over artist. He made his first big role cast opposite Ricky Schroder in the long-running sitcom "Silver Spoons," making him an instant teen idol. His directing credits include television shows "Shake It Up," "Are We There Yet?" "The Wannabes," "Meet The Browns," "Cuts," "Eve," "One on One," "All of Us" and "Mighty Med" on Disney XD. Starting his acting career at the age of 8, Ribeiro landed his first starring role in the Broadway musical "The Tap Dance Kid," whereupon he was signed to famed music label Island Records. Ribeiro partners with Witney Carson. Follow @alfonso_ribeiro, @WitneyCarson

Sadie Robertson - Robertson is well known for her dimples and engaging smile, but there is more to the 17-year-old charmer and star of A&E's "Duck Dynasty" than that. A high school athlete and motivational speaker, Robertson spends her summers on mission trips and working at a Christian youth camp spreading her message to peers about being confident in who you are and learning to "live original. Robertson also embodies the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the Robertson family and has carried her philosophy into multiple business ventures, collaborating with fashion designer Sherri Hill on her own "daddy-approved" prom dress line, Live Original, (she even walked in Hill's show for New York Fashion Week in 2013) and developing her own Live Original line of school supplies for DaySpring. Sadie's new book, "Live Original: How the Duck Commander Teen Keeps It Real and Stays True to Her Values," is available now at retailers nationwide. Robertson partners with Mark Ballas. Follow @sadierob, @MarkBallas

Antonio Sabato Jr. - Sabato Jr. once overlooked Time Square from a 90-foot billboard dressed only in his Calvin Klein underwear. The iconic fashion designer hired the actor to be the company's first celebrity model since Mark Wahlberg. Famed photographer Herb Ritts shot the campaign. Sabato is widely known for his fan-favorite role as Jagger Cates on ABC's "General Hospital" and for playing Jack Parezi on "Melrose Place." He was also featured in People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" issue. Sabato Jr. partners with Cheryl Burke. Follow @antoniosabatojr, @CherylBurke

Tavis Smiley - Smiley is currently the host of the late-night television talk show "Tavis Smiley" on PBS, as well as "The Tavis Smiley Showfrom Public Radio International. He has authored or co-authored 16 books, including "What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America" and "The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto," both of which were New York Times BestsellersHis latest book, "Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year," will be published this month. It examines the widespread assaults on Dr. King's character, ideology and political tactics in the year leading up to his assassination. Smiley is the founder of the nonprofit Tavis Smiley Foundation, which recently announced a $3 million, four-year campaign called "ENDING POVERTY: America's Silent Spaces" to alleviate endemic poverty in America. Smiley partners with recently announced pro dancer Sharna Burgess. Follow @tavissmiley, @SharnaBurgess

Lea Thompson - Thompson is perhaps best known for her role as the various incarnations of Lorraine McFly in "Back to the Future I, II, and III" (Kid's Choice Film Actress Award) and as the star of "Caroline in the City" (People's Choice Award). Thompson has starred in more than 30 films, 25 television movies, four television series, more than 20 ballets, and starred on Broadway in "Cabaret." She can currently be seen on ABC Family's Peabody Award-winning hit show "Switched at Birth," where she acts and directs. Lea's movie credits include: "All the Right Moves," "Some Kind of Wonderful," "Howard The Duck"(star and vocals) and Clint Eastwood's "J. Edgar." Thompson partners with international Mirrorball Trophy holder Artem Chigvintsev. Follow @LeaKThompson, @artemchigvintse

Michael Waltrip - Waltrip is a winning professional racecar driver, founder and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, a widely recognized network racing commentator, and author of a best-selling biography. He is a two-time winner of NASCAR's crown jewel event, the Daytona 500, and is one of only two drivers in history to hold victories in NASCAR's three top tier divisions over four consecutive decades. Waltrip still competes on a limited basis, posting two top 10 finishes in just four events in 2013. In recent years, Waltrip has driven in international events, competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Daytona, as well as events in Spa, Belgium, Sebring and Dubai. In 2011, Waltrip published the best-selling "In the Blink of an Eye," celebrating the 10th anniversary of his historic 2001 Daytona 500 victory, which happened on the same day his mentor, boss, friend and owner, Dale Earnhardt, perished on the final lap. Waltrip partners with Emma Slater. Follow @mw55, @EmmaSlaterDance

For the first two weeks, viewers may cast their votes for their favorite couples 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 15 hours, beginning from the start of the episode on the East Coast at 8 p.m., and closing at 11 a.m. the next day. From week three until the finale, viewers may cast their votes for their favorite couples 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.

For the final week, on Monday, Nov. 24, online voting will open for 15 hours, beginning from the start of the episode on the East Coast at 8 p.m., and closing at 11 a.m. the next day.

 

"Dancing with the Stars": Six-time world champion and MMA and UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, left, partners with Karina Smirnoff. Actress Lea Thompson partners with international Mirrorball Trophy holder Artem Chigvintsev. (ABC photos by Craig Sjodin)

"DWTS" is hosted by Emmy-winner host Tom Bergeron ("America's Funniest Home Videos") and Erin Andrews. On the hit, multi-award-winning series, celebrities perform choreographed dance routines that are judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and ballroom dancer and Emmy-nominated choreographer Julianne Hough.

Follow "DWTS" on:

Facebook at www.facebook.com/dancingwiththestars

Twitter @DancingABC, #DWTS

Instagram @DancingABC

Vine @DancingABC

@ABC_Publicity

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