The celebrity cast of “Dancing with the Stars” are slipping on their dancing shoes and getting ready for their first dance on the ballroom floor, as the
23rd season kicks off on Monday, September 12 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT), on ABC. This season’s lineup of celebrity dancers includes two Gold medal-winning U.S. Olympians, a multi Grammy award-winning musician, a star of one of the most iconic television programs ever, one of the greatest wide receivers of all time, and the former governor of Texas, to name just a few.
As announced this morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the celebrities with their professional partners heading to the ballroom this season (in
alphabetical order) are:
* Amber Rose with Maksim Chmerkovskiy
* Calvin Johnson Jr. with Lindsay Arnold
* Jake T. Austin with Jenna Johnson
* James Hinchcliffe with Sharna Burgess
* Jana Kramer with Gleb Savchenko
* Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds with Allison Holker
* Laurie Hernandez with Valentin Chmerkovskiy
* Marilu Henner with Derek Hough
* Maureen McCormick with Artem Chigvintsev
* Rick Perry with Emma Slater
* Ryan Lochte with Cheryl Burke
* Terra Jolé with Sasha Farber
* Vanilla Ice (Robert Van Winkle) with Witney Carson
AMBER ROSE – Amber Rose is a proud mother, activist, entrepreneur, spokesperson, talk show host, model, actor and published author from Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. MUVA, as she is affectionately known, has quickly become the unapologetic face of neo-feminism. Initially, accredited mostly to her striking
appearance and keen fashion sense, the former Ford Model’s rise to massive popularity is now largely attributed to her controversial yet impactful voice on
women’s issues. At the core of the Amber Rose brand is her non-profit, The Amber Rose Foundation, dedicated to women empowerment and equality.
Rose is currently the executive producer and host of “The Amber Rose Show” on VH1. Her other television credits include ABC’s “black-ish,” “Selfie” and
“Inside Amy Schumer.” On film she appeared in “School Dance” and starred in the movie “Sister Code.”
In 2012, Rose debuted her first single, “Fame,” followed by her second single, “Loaded.” She had previously appeared in several videos with the who’s who
in music, including Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown and Wiz Khalifa. She has been credited on albums with Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa and Drake, among
others.
CALVIN JOHNSON JR. – Calvin Johnson Jr. was born in Newnan, Georgia. He is known to many as one of the NFL’s best wide receiver of all times. Most people
in the football world know him as “Megatron.” He is also a philanthropist and a family oriented man. Johnson’s journey to where he is today is credited to
his parents, Calvin Johnson Sr. and Dr. Arica R. Johnson. They instilled in Calvin at an early age that putting God first, maintaining good grades in
school, being obedient, possessing good character and striving toward a purposeful mission in life are some of the necessary ingredients to life success.
Johnson never forgot what his parents taught him, because his actions continue to speak louder than words. During his years at Sandy Creek High School as a
scholar, stand-out, all-state speedy wide receiver athlete, Johnson became the nation top recruit and helped his team win the regional title in 2003. He
was named one of AJC’s Super 11 in 2003 as a junior for the best football players in the state of Georgia (34 receptions, 646 yards, and 10 touchdowns as a
junior and added 40 receptions for 736 yards and eight TDs as a senior). He also received many awards and trophies. One in particular was the highest award
given to a member of the senior class on graduation day, the Atlanta Journal Cup for excelling, showing leadership in community activities, arts, athletics
and academics. As a tribute to Johnson, Sandy Creek High School retired his number 81 jersey in 2010. After being recruited in 2003 by top Division I
schools, highly publicized signee Johnson decided to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology. In 2004, he was rated as one of the nation’s top 10 record
breaking performance wide receivers and top 100 players virtually by every recruiting analyst during his senior season.
Johnson was rookie of the year, player of the year, best wide receiver in the nation by IGN.com, a two-time all-American wide receiver, Paul Warfield
Trophy recipient, Biletnikoff Award winner, and 10th 2006 Heisman Vote for 76 receptions, 1,202 yards, 15.8 Avg, and 15 TDs.
JAKE T. AUSTIN – Whether appearing on TV/film or lending his voice to animated characters, 21-year-old Jake T. Austin is a multitalented actor who has
showcased his talent across the board in the entertainment industry. From 2007 to 2012, Austin starred on Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning series
“Wizards of Waverly Place,” as Max Russo, the youngest wizard of three. The hit show returned to Disney Channel for a one-hour TV reunion special, “The
Wizards Return: Alex vs Alex.”
Austin previously starred in Freeform’s “The Fosters,” portraying the role of Jesus Foster. His television guest-starring roles include “Law & Order:
SVU” and “Drop Dead Diva.” On the big screen, he was last seen in Garry Marshall’s “New Year’s Eve,” starring opposite Abigail Breslin and Sarah Jessica
Parker; “Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn,” starring opposite Joel Courtney as Huck; “Hotel For Dogs,” opposite Emma Roberts; the indie drama “Grantham
& Rose,” and his first ever live-action feature film, “The Perfect Game.”
Expanding on his talent in front of the camera, Austin has lent his voice to several movies and television shows. Most widely recognized for his starring
role as the voice of Diego in Nickelodeon’s “Go, Diego, Go!” Austin’s voice can also be heard in films, including “Rio” and “Rio 2,” “Khumba,” “Everyone’s
Hero” and “The Ant Bully.”
JAMES HINCHCLIFFE – James Hinchcliffe is arguably one of the most popular drivers in the Verizon IndyCar Series. Currently in his sixth racing season and
second for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, the affable Canadian has four Indy car wins, 10 podiums and one pole position to date.
He was voted IndyCar’s Favorite Driver in 2012 by the fans and was 2011 Verizon IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year.
In 2015, the 29-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries from a practice crash for the Indianapolis 500, which ended his season after only five races.
After a long road to recovery and rehabilitation, James returned to racing this year in even better shape than before. He earned his first IndyCar pole at
the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500, the venue that almost destroyed his career.
JANA KRAMER – Jana Kramer is an award-winning country artist. Her platinum debut single, “Why Ya Wanna,” soared to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs
chart in 2012, making her the most played new artist of that year, and her self-titled debut album hit No. 5. In 2013, the Academy of Country Music honored
her with its Top New Female Artist Award, and Blake Shelton picked her to open on his “Ten Times Crazier” tour.
In 2015, Jana released her highly anticipated sophomore album “thirty one,” in which she co-wrote over half of the tracks. The album debuted at No. 3 on
the country albums chart and No. 10 on the Billboard Top 200 all-genre chart. Her gold-certified Top 3 single, “I Got the Boy,” was named one of the 25
Best Country Songs of 2015 by The New York Times, one of the Best Songs of 2015 by Rolling Stone, and one of the Top 40 Country Songs of 2015 by Spin
Magazine. Jana was honored as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country and co-headlined their first-ever female-powered tour.
In 2016, Jana received nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year from the Academy of Country Music Awards, Breakthrough Female of the Year and Female
Vocalist of the Year from the American Country Countdown Awards, and Female Video of the Year from the CMT Music Awards for “I Got the Boy.”
KENNY “BABYFACE” EDMONDS – Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, the 11-time Grammy Award winner, channeled the magic of his storied career with “Return of the Tender
Lover,” his first solo album in seven years, which is a nod to his RIAA triple-platinum album “Tender Lover.” That 1989 definitive breakthrough spun off
four R&B/pop crossover hits, including the R&B No. 1’s “It’s No Crime” and “Tender Lover” plus “Whip Appeal” and “My Kinda Girl.”
Music has always come first for Babyface. It’s the backbone of an award-winning, multi-faceted pop/urban career that includes the consecutive
multi-platinum landmark albums “Tender Lover,” “For the Cool in You” (including such signature hits as “Never Keeping Secrets” and “When Can I See You”)
and “The Day” (“Every Time I Close My Eyes”). As co-founder with L.A. Reid of LaFace Records in 1989, Babyface nurtured the careers of such megastars as
TLC, OutKast, Usher and Toni Braxton.
Paralleling those achievements is Babyface’s extensive songwriting and production credits from the ‘90s forward. He has produced and written/co-written
hits for everyone from Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton and Michael Jackson to Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, P!nk and Beyoncé, among countless others. That hit
list boasts such smashes as Madonna’s “Take a Bow,” Clapton’s “Change the World” and Boyz II Men’s “I’ll Make Love to You.” His most recent productions
include collaborations with Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Ledisi, Colbie Caillat, Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande.
LAURIE HERNANDEZ – Laurie Hernandez burst onto the Senior Elite gymnastics scene in 2016, just in time for the Rio Olympic Games where she won Silver in
the individual balance beam and secured Gold in the team All-Around. Her goal had always been to make an Olympic Team, and her dream came true!
Hernandez started gymnastics at the age of six when she asked her mother to enroll her in the sport, because she had so much energy and always wanted to
experience the feeling of flying. She enrolled in Monmouth Gymnastics, where she met her coach, Maggie Haney, and they have been together ever since.
Hernandez is known for her dazzling floor exercise routine, where she has been nicknamed the “human emoji” for her outgoing facial expressions and for her
grace and artistry on the balance beam.
MARILU HENNER – With the energy of a teenager, the wisdom of a sage, and the memory of a superhero, Marilu Henner has deservedly earned the nickname
“Perpetual Motion.” Along with starring in over thirty films, six Broadway shows, and two hit classic sitcoms, “Taxi” and “Evening Shade,” this five-time
Golden Globe nominee is also a New York Times bestselling author of ten books on health, parenting, memory, and lifestyle improvement. Her books include
the recent bestseller “Changing Normal: How I Helped My Husband Beat Cancer,” “Total Memory Makeover,” “Total Health Makeover,” “Healthy Life Kitchen,” “I
Refuse to Raise a Brat” and “By All Means Keep On Moving,” and have changed the lives of millions in her quest to make the world a healthier place.
Marilu Henner can currently be seen in the Hallmark series “Aurora Teagarden,” as well as the Hallmark Channel film “Love on a Limb” and can be seen in the
upcoming the theatrical features “In-Lawfully Yours” and “Imperfections,” which will premiere at the Chicago Film Festival in October 2016. Marilu has
hosted and executive produced two talk shows, “Marilu” and “Shape Up Your Life.” And as a two-time competitor on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” and
“Celebrity Apprentice All-Stars,” Marilu played for her favorite charities, including The Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and the
Alzheimer’s Association. In fact, at PCRM’s 25th Anniversary Gala, she was awarded their Voice of Compassion Award.
Her acting career continues to thrive, as Marilu recently appeared in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “The Crazy Ones,” “The Glades,” and the finale of “Two and a
Half Men.” In 2012, she appeared in the feature film “Vamps” and in two holiday movies, “Hitched for the Holidays” on the Hallmark Channel and “High School
Holiday Reunion” on Lifetime.
MAUREEN MCCORMICK – Maureen McCormick is widely known for her portrayal of eldest daughter, Marcia Brady, on the seminal ABC television sitcom “The Brady
Bunch,” on which she starred from 1969 to 1974. She later reprised the role in many of the numerous “Brady Bunch” spin-offs and films, including “The Brady
Kids,” “The Brady Bunch Hour,” “The Brady Brides“ as well as “A Very Brady Christmas.” But America’s favorite girl next door is way more than the three
words she became famous for, encapsulated by “Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!”
McCormcik has also had a successful career in film, as a stage actress, recording artist and author. She co-starred in the iconic feature “The Idolmaker,”
toured in the starring role as Wendy Darling in “Peter Pan” and Betty Rizzo in “Grease,” and released four popular studio albums. She portrayed country
singer Barbara Mandrell in the television biopic “Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story.” In 2009, McCormick added New York Times bestselling author
to her resume with her much anticipated memoir, “Here’s The Story.” Over the past decade she’s guest-starred on select primetime hit series while raising
her daughter and enjoying family life.
Maureen is very active in the Best Buddies Foundation that she holds near and dear to her heart. She has previously sponsored kids through Children
International, which helps give kids a chance for a better future, and has participated in numerous charity fundraising events throughout the years.
RICK PERRY – Rick Perry is a veteran of the United States Air Force, a former farmer and the former governor of Texas. He has devoted his adult life to
creating prosperity and opportunity for families. As the 47th and longest-serving governor of the Lone Star State, he championed conservative principles
that helped Texas become America’s economic engine.
Perry grew up the son of tenant farmers in the tiny West Texas town of Paint Creek. The younger of Ray and Amelia Perry’s two children, he was active in
scouting and earned distinction as an Eagle Scout. He was one of the first in his family to go to college, earning a degree in Animal Science from Texas
A&M University, where he was also a member of the Corps of Cadets and a Yell Leader.
Between 1972 and 1977, Perry served in the U.S. Air Force flying C-130 tactical airlift aircraft in Europe and the Middle East. He is a lifetime member of
both the NRA and American Legion Post #75. Prior to being elected Lieutenant Governor in 1998, he served two terms as Texas Commissioner of Agriculture and
three terms in the Texas House of Representatives.
RYAN LOCHTE – Ryan Lochte has become a transcendent figure in the Olympic world. He is a four-time Olympian (Athens, Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro) and a
12-time Olympic medalist (including six Gold, three Silver, and three Bronze). His seven individual Olympic medals are second all-time in Men’s Swimming,
and he is the current world record holder in the 200 individual medley. Ryan has been named both American and World Swimmer of the Year twice in his career
(2010 & 2011) and has a total of 70 medals in major international competition, including 45 first place finishes.
As a Florida Gator, Ryan was a two-time NCAA Swimmer of the Year, 24-time NCAA All-American, and seven-time NCAA Champion. Lochte’s accomplishments in the
pool along with his committed fan base (1 million+ Twitter and Instagram followers and over 658k Facebook fans) have helped him gain pop culture status
outside the pool.
TERRA JOLÉ – Terra Jolé (pronounced Jo – lay) is an American actress, producer, singer, and TV personality. Since 2014, she has gained recognition both
nationally and internationally as the star and executive producer of Lifetime’s hit TV Shows “Little Women: LA” and “Terra’s Little Family.” Terra also
serves as executive producer on the popular spin-offs, “Little Women: ATL” and “Little Women: NY,” and she is currently a member of the Producers Guild of
America.
In 2014, following on-stage performances with Miley Cyrus, Cyndi Lauper and T-Pain, Terra wrote and released her own original music singles, “Booty Bee”
and “Imma Let You Know.” This year, Terra released “Penny’s Playlist,” a full album of children’s songs dedicated to her daughter, which was recorded in a
groundbreaking contemporary musical style. As part of this unique project, Terra has also launched MiniMama.com, a website that features original content
for both mothers and kids alike.
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Terra now resides in Los Angeles, California, where she is married to fellow “Little Women: LA” and “Terra’s Little Family”
star, actor and musician Joe Gnoffo. In March 2015, they welcomed a daughter named Penelope Charlevoix Gnoffo and in August 2016 they welcomed their son,
Grayson Vincent D’artagnan Gnoffo.
VANILLA ICE – The iconic Robert Van Winkle – aka Vanilla Ice – exploded on the Rap/Pop music scene in 1990/91, selling 10 million albums in four months and
hitting number one on the Billboard charts with the number one single “Ice Ice Baby” and number one album positions. His worldwide album sales are over 20
million, and individual songs total over 160 million, and are still selling.
Vanilla Ice is working on season seven of “The Vanilla Ice Project,” airing early
2017. He performed pantomime live on stage as Captain Hook in “Peter Pan” in the U.K., as well as doing a 20-city “Dancing on Ice” skating tour.
Vanilla Ice has had great success in real estate and has launched Vanilla Ice Real Estate.com with mentoring courses in Real Estate investments, as well as
upcoming live seminars around the U.S. His current TV show, “The Vanilla Ice Project,” on DIY won The Factual Award for the Best Home TV Show.