LOS ANGELES — Prosecutor-turned-television host Nancy
Grace and Los Angeles Laker Ron Artest are among the celebrities who
will take to the ballroom floor in ABC’s hit reality series, “Dancing
with the Stars.”
Joining them in competition for
the mirrorball trophy are Chaz Bono, currently nominated for three Emmys
for the documentary “Becoming Chaz,” which chronicled Bono’s sex
change; former talk show host Ricki Lake; U.S. Women’s Soccer star Hope
Solo, model (and former girlfriend of George Clooney) Elizabetta
Canalis, singer Chyna Phillips, actor David Arquette, “All My Children”
star J.R. Martinez, OWN personality Carson Kressley, and reality stars
Rob Kardashian and Kristen Cavallari.
The official
cast announcement was made during Monday’s episode of “Bachelor Pad” on
the network. The new crew’s dancing partners will be announced during
Wednesday’s telecast of “Good Morning America.”
The
contestants have a lot to live up to: Season 12 of ABC’s dance contest,
which featured contestants such as Kirstie Alley and winner Hines Ward,
averaged 22.5 million total viewers, up 4 percent compared with the
11th season, according to the Nielsen Co. — putting the show No. 2
behind “American Idol.”
The new season launches Monday, Sept. 19 with a two-hour premiere.
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