ABC’s announcement of the Season 18 Dancing With the Stars cast turned today’s Good Morning America into a Mardi Gras party. The atmosphere is light and the neophyte dancers are optimistic, “I’m a great wedding dancer, that’s when I dance,” said Candace Cameron Bure. And despite a health concern last fall, NeNe Leakes is ready to Rhumba, “I’m gonna go for it. I don’t have two left feet.” These 12 contestants are all vying for the MirrorBall Trophy and the title of Season 18 champion.
Right out of the gate, new co-host Erin Andrews shows great chemistry with Tom Burgeron. They seem to have similar senses of humor and were seen joking throughout this morning’s cast announcement.
After the contestants and partners were announced, dancer Derek Hough announced a twist-“The Switch Up.” This season, America will be given the power to vote and change celebrities and professional dance pairings, and no one is immune. Every contestant must swap partners at some point. Holy cow, that shake-up will cause major drama and I can’t wait to see what happens!
What do you think of this season’s Dancing With the Stars cast and who do you think will win? I can’t wait to see your predictions. I will be posting a weekly recap for DWTS, and I look forward to your opinions. Who looked fab, whose dance fell flat? Who should go home, and who should stay? Check back on ChannelGuide for all of the scoop on DWTS!
The contestants and their pro partners for DWTS Season 18:
Full House actress Candace Cameron Bure, partnered with Mark Ballas
Wonder Years actress Danica McKellar, partnered with Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Swimmer Diana Nyad, partnered with Henry Byalikov
Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes, partnered with Tony Dovolani
Pop star Cody Simpson, partnered with Witney Carson
The Price is Right host Drew Carey, partnered with Cheryl Burke
Olympic ice dancing gold medalist Meryl Davis, partnered with Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Double Amputee Paralympic snowboarder, Amy Purdy partnered with Derek Hough
Olympic ice dancing gold medalist Charlie White, partnered with Sharna Burgess
Former NHL player Sean Avery, partnered with Karina Smirnoff
Actor Billy Dee Williams, partnered with Emma Slater
Big Time Rush bandmember/actor James Maslow, partnered with Peta Murgatroyd
Dancing With the Stars premieres live on ABC on Monday, March 17, 8pmET.
photo © 2014 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. Credit: Todd Wawrychuk