Dancing with the Stars

Dancing with the Stars first aired June 1, 2005. This unique series pairs professional ballroom dancers with celebrities. Each couple competes live on television and in front of a studio audience. They are judged by a panel of experts and the television audience. Every week, a team is eliminated from the competition.

Around the World

Dancing with the Stars is the American version of an Australian show called Strictly Come Dancing. The show is popular all over the world. Though the names are different, the show airs in more than 30 countries, including:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chili
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Mexico
• Russia
• Spain
• Sweden

New Time Slot

Last season, Dancing with the Stars aired Monday nights. This year, the 90-minute performance show will air at 8 p.m. every Monday. The one-hour results shows will air at 9.p.m. Tuesdays. This move was strategically made so the show would not compete with American Idol.

2007 Cast

Heather Mills

The cast was announced February 21 on Good Morning America. Prior to the official announcement, leaks were rampant all over the Internet and entertainment news shows about who would be the Dancing with the Stars celebrity dancers. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, was originally going to dance but backed out since her unofficial announcement.

Joey Fatone

Joey Fatone finally agreed to dance after the persistent producers asked him three times. Joey is a former teen heart throb and N’Sync band member. He spent the last few years working on Broadway and hosting talent competitions. Though he is familiar with on-stage dancing, ballroom dancing is new to him.

Dance Partner: Kym Johnson

Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus is most recently known for playing the dad on Disney’s hit show Hannah Montana with his real life daughter, Miley Cyrus. However, his fame dates back to his country music career. He is best known for his hit song “Achy Breaky Heart” in 1992.

Dance partner: Karina Smirnoff

Ian Ziering

Ian Ziering is famous for his role as Steve Sanders on Beverly Hills, 90210. He has acted in more than 25 films during his career. His most recent film is Biker Mice From Mars.

Dance partner: Cheryl Burke

Laila Ali

Laila Ali

Dancing with the Stars isn’t just for actors and singers. Participant Laila Ali, the daughter of boxer Muhammad Ali and Veronica Porsche, is following in her father's footsteps and is a famous female boxer and personal trainer.

Dance partner: Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Heather Mills

Soon to be ex-Mrs. Paul McCartney, Heather Mills is the first cast member with a disability to compete. She has a prosthetic leg from the knee down. Mills said she is donating her winnings to charity.

Dance partner: Jonathan Roberts

Apolo Anton Ohno

Two-time Olympic Gold Medal-winning speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno will glide from the ice to the dance floor. At 24, he is the youngest cast member.

Dance partner: Julianne Hough

Leeza Gibbons

Former Entertainment Tonight and Extra anchorwoman Leeza Gibbons will get a taste of being on the other side of the camera. She now hosts her own syndicated radio show.

Dance partner: Tony Dovolani

Vincent Pastore

From The Sopranos to reality shows, Vincent Pastore seems to be doing it all. He has appeared on VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club 4, and is reported to have had a heart condition last year, but feels well enough to dance.

Dance partner: Edyta Sliwinska

Apolo Anton Ohno

Paulina Porizkova

Paulina Porizkova was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in 1990 and 1992. This Czech-born supermodel and actress is ready to dance and is noted for being a fan of the show.

Dance partner: Alec Mazo, Season 1 Champ

Clyde Drexler

One of America’s "50 Greatest Players in NBA History" joins the cast to fill one of the jock spots. Clyde Drexler was a member of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team.

Dance partner: Elena Grineko

Shandi Finnessey

Miss USA 2004 plans to bring a new personality to the cast. Shandi Finnessey hosts two gameshows on the Game Show Network called Lingo, with Chuck Woolery, and Playmania.

Dance partner: Brian Fortuna

Hosts

Returning as this season's hosts are Tom Bergeron, from America’s Funniest Home Videos, and Samantha Harris of E! Entertainment.

Judges

Three judges critique the dancers' performances:

• Len Goodman is a professional dancer and dance teacher. He has won numerous dance competitions.
• Bruno Tonioli is a dancer and choreographer. He has worked on numerous films, commercials, music videos and concerts. His resume includes working with Sir Elton John, Tina Turner and Michael Jackson.
• Carrie Ann Inaba is a professional choreographer in the television and film industries.

Season Three Winners

Last season, pro-football player Emmitt Smith took home the prize. He played for the Dallas Cowboys during the 1990s. Other celebrity dancers from season three include:

• Vivica A. Fox
• Mario Lopez
• Jerry Springer
• Tucker Carlson
• Shanna Moakler
• Joey Lawrence
• Harry Hamlin
• Willa Ford
• Monique Coleman
• Sara Evans (She dropped out for personal reasons during the competition.)

Professional Dancers

Each celebrity dancer is paired with a professional dancer to teach him or her the moves. Some of the returning dancers include:

• Maksim Chmerkovskiy is Russian-born and has danced since he was 4 years old.
• Tony Dovolani began dancing at the age of 3 in Kosova, Albania. He has won many trophies and championships worldwide.
• Cheryl Burke is a professional ballroom dancer.
• Karina Smirnoff is a five-time U.S. National Champion. She is known as one of the world's best Latin dancers.

Mark your calendar for March 19 for the Dancing with the Stars premiere. Fans are anxiously awaiting this season's show.