Newest 'Dancing' celebs announced
Monday, August 17, 2009 | 11:32 AM
NEW YORK -- Former Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay will join 15 celebrities from the worlds of entertainment and sports in kicking up their heels on the new season of "Dancing With the Stars.
Other hopefuls include entertainer Donny Osmond; singers Mya, Macy Gray and Aaron Carter; actors Melissa Joan Hart, Debi Mazar and Ashley Hamilton (son of George); models Joanna Krupa and Kathy Ireland; reality stars Kelly Osbourne and Mark Dacascos ("the Chairman" on Food Network's "Iron Chef America"); mixed martial artist Chuck Liddell; professional snowboarder Louie Vito; Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin; former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin and the 62-year-old former congressman from Texas.
The contestants were announced on Monday's "Good Morning America" by "Dancing" host Tom Bergeron. He also unveiled a new competitive twist.
"In the middle of our season, over three weeks, we're going to have double eliminations," said Bergeron. "We'll lose about half of our cast within that period. It will be a ballroom bloodbath."
Samantha Harris returns as co-host, with the panel of judges including ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer-choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.
The ninth season of the hit ABC show premieres Sept. 21.
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Mark Dacascos
Famously known as "The Chairman" and host of Food Network's "Iron Chef America," Dacascos is also a trained martial artist as well as actor. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mark's passion for martial arts began at an early age under the tutelage of his parents who are both former national champions and teachers. After being discovered in San Francisco's Chinatown, Mark began to establish a film and television career playing not only martial artists but a wide range of characters before joining "Iron Chef America" in 2005. He has appeared in several feature films including the internationally acclaimed French epic, "Brotherhood of the Wolf," the cult classic "Only the Strong," "Cradle to the Grave," opposite Jet Li, "Only the Brave," "Nomad" and "The Lost Medallion," which is scheduled to be released later this year.
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Chuck Liddell
Chuck Liddell is the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and the icon of Mixed Martial Arts -- the fastest growing sport in America. In 1998, he won his first UFC Mixed Martial Arts fight. Soon after, Liddell rose through the ranks to become the light-heavyweight champion of the world. In July of 2009, Liddell was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. He is tied for the most wins by a UFC fighter with 16, and also holds the most knockout wins with 10. In 2008, Chuck penned his autobiography, "Iceman: My Fighting Life," which quickly became a New York Times bestseller. Chuck earned a BA in Business/Accounting from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he also wrestled.
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