‘Dancing with the Stars’: The Season 10 cast is revealed!
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Light up the grand ballroom staircase and cue up those chimes: ABC’s official list of contestants for Season 10’s “Dancing With the Stars” has been released. Included in the roster of candidates competing for that coveted Mirrorball trophy are a moonwalker, a bachelor, a recently minted gold medalist, and a mother of eight.
And while there was no John Stamos or Jennifer Grey on the list as rumored, turns out “Baywatch” babe Pamela Anderson will, in fact, be putting on the sequins and fringe to prove that she’s got all the right moves. Also putting her best dance foot forward is original octomom Kate Gosselin, all but ensuring cute rehearsal footage with her kids.
Following in the samba steps of fellow “Beverly Hills, 90210” alums and former “DWTS” contestants Jennie Garth and Ian Ziering is Shannen Doherty. Pussycat Doll lead singer Nicole Scherzinger will try to spin burlesque into ballroom. Rounding out the women’s list are ESPN sports anchor Erin Andrews and actress and comedian Niecy Nash, best known as Deputy Raineesha Williams on “Reno 911!”
On the men’s side, Olympic figure skater Evan Lysacek, fresh from his gold-medal-winning stint in Vancouver, Canada, will take his spot on the dance floor alongside hunky British actor Aiden Turner from “All My Children.” In a bit of ABC reality show cross promotion, the “Bachelor” himself, Jake Pavelka, will bid for ballroom greatness, and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco will trade in his tight football pants for tight dance pants.
All in all, it’s a pretty young bunch, save astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who has the distinction of being the second person to walk on the moon and, at 80, the distinction of being the second-oldest contestant in “DWTS” history (Season 7’s Cloris Leachman still has him beat). And while Aldrin’s surely got his moonwalk down pat, will the octogenarian be able to shake his hips to a samba beat alongside all these young whippersnappers?
At first glance, methinks Lysacek’s athletic prowess and Winter Games success make him an immediate front-runner in this competition as well. And what’s the wrath of a Len Goodman when you’ve already faced down a nitpicking panel of Olympic judges? On the women’s side, doncha think Nicole Scherzinger’s experience performing as a Pussycat Doll makes her a natural fit for the Rectagon stage?
Season 10 of “Dancing With the Stars” premieres March 22 on ABC. In the meantime, check out this photo gallery of the latest contestants.
What do you think, “DWTS” fans? Who has what it takes to win reality TV’s shiniest trophy?
-- Allyssa Lee