Season 19’s 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, September 15 (8–10:01 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. One couple will be eliminated on the Dancing with the Stars results show the following day, Tuesday, September 16 (8–9 p.m. ET).
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 (in alphabetical order) heading to the dance floor this season with their professional partners are:
Jonathan Bennett—Though his striking good looks may have made Jonathan 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.
Tommy Chong—Grammy®-winning comedian Tommy Chong is legendary for his invaluable contribution to comedy and American counterculture as part of the legendary comedy team Cheech & Chong.
Randy Couture—As a six-time World Champion and Hall of Famer in the fastest growing sport in the world, Randy Couture is a true icon in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Betsey Johnson—Known for her over-the-top celebration of the exuberant and the embellished, Betsey has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique and original designs since the 1960s.
Lolo Jones—Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Lolo Jones is one of the greatest track athletes of her generation and one of the greatest American hurdlers of all time. In addition to appearances at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics for hurdles, Lolo 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.
Bethany Mota—In only five years, YouTube sensation, fashion designer and beauty expert Bethany Mota has become one of the most recognizable names on social media. Today, Bethany’s YouTube channel has more than seven million subscribers, and her videos have been viewed almost 500 million times.
Janel Parrish—Born in Hawaiʻi, Janel Parrish plays Mona in the top-rated ABC Family TV series Pretty Little Liars.
Alfonso Ribiero—Alfonso’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.
Sadie Robertson—Sadie 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. She’s also a high school athlete and motivational speaker.
Antonio Sabato Jr.—Antonio 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. He’s also a fitness and auto-racing enthusiast and an accomplished author of No Excuses: Workout for Life.
Tavis Smiley—Tavis Smiley is currently the host of the late-night television talk show Tavis Smiley on PBS, as well as The Tavis Smiley Show from Public Radio International.
Lea Thompson—Lea Thompson is perhaps best known for her role as the various incarnations of Lorraine McFly in Back to the Future I, II and III and as the star of Caroline in the City.
Michael Waltrip—Michael 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.
