‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 13 Celebrity-Professional Pairings Announced

The season 13 star-studded cast and their professional partners get ready to break in their dancing shoes on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” for the long awaited two-hour Season Premiere, Monday, September 19 at 8:00 pm ETon the ABC Television Network.

In alphabetical order, with their professional partners, the 12 stars making their dancing debut are:

* RON ARTEST, NBA champion, partners with last season’s Troupe member PETA MURGATROYD, who makes her “Dancing with the Stars” debut as a professional partner this season.

* DAVID ARQUETTE, actor and producer, joins two-time champion KYM JOHNSON, who returns for her 10th season.

* CHAZ BONO, author and activist, teams up with LACEY SCHWIMMER, who is back for her 5th season.

* ELISABETTA CANALIS, model and actress, partners with VAL CHMERKOVSKIY, who makes his “Dancing with the Stars” debut as a professional partner this season.

* KRISTEN CAVALLARI, TV star, teams with two-time champ MARK BALLAS, who returns for his 9th season.

* NANCY GRACE, TV host and journalist, joins last season’s Troupe member TRISTAN MCMANUS, who makes his “Dancing with the Stars” debut as a professional partner this season.

* ROBERT KARDASHIAN, reality star, partners with two-time champ CHERYL BURKE, who is back for her 12th season.

* CARSON KRESSLEY, television star and style guru, partners with ANNA TREBUNSKAYA, who returns for her 8th season.

* RICKI LAKE, talk show host and actress, joins three-time champ DEREK HOUGH, who returns for his 8th season.

* J.R. MARTINEZ, veteran and actor, teams with KARINA SMIRNOFF, who returns for her 9th season.

* CHYNNA PHILLIPS, singer, joins TONY DOVOLANI, who is back for his 12th season.

* HOPE SOLO, World Cup star, teams with MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY, who returns for his 11th season.

All 12 couples will dance for the first time on live national television on Monday, September 19 at 8:00 pm ET with couples either performing the Viennese Waltz or the Cha Cha. The couple with the lowest combined judges’ scores and public votes for their performance will be sent home the following night, Tuesday, September 20 at 9:00 pm ET, on the season premiere of “Dancing with the Stars the Results.”

Hosted by Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Brooke Burke (“Dancing with the Stars” Season Seven Champion), the celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

Viewers may cast their votes for their favorite teams via phone on Monday night during and up to 30 minutes after the “Dancing with the Stars” performance shows. AT&T customers may also text message their votes by texting the word “VOTE” and entering the number that corresponds to the team they want to support (message and data rates may apply). AT&T will also offer customers exclusive mobile video footage of weekly backstage highlights to keep fans connected to some of their favorite couples all season long. Viewers may also vote online at www.abc.com starting from the opening of each episode on the East Coast with voting closing at 8:00 a.m. PT/11:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday mornings.

 

‘Dancing with the Stars’ 13 Cast Announced, Q&A Interviews; Premieres Sept. 19

A dynamic lineup of stars – including a U.S. veteran, an NBA champion, a film and TV star, a TV host and journalist, a Grammy-nominated singer, a supermodel, a reality TV star, a showbiz legacy and activist, and a World Cup star — will take the stage for the two-hour season premiere of “Dancing with the Stars,” Monday, September 19 at 8:00 pm ET on the ABC Television Network.

All 12 couples will dance for the first time on live national television on Monday, September 19, either performing the Cha Cha Cha or The Viennese Waltz. Airing on Tuesday, September 20 at 8:00 pm ET, a live, one-hour special, “Dancing with the Stars: Meet the Cast,” will feature the most exciting moments from Monday night’s performances, with commentary from the judges and never-before-seen footage from the teams’ first weeks of training. Then, on the season premiere of “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show,” Tuesday, September 20 at 9:00 pm ET, the couple with the lowest combined judges’ scores and public votes for their performance will be sent home in the season’s first elimination.

The 12 celebrities heading to the dance floor this season, as announced tonight on ABC’s “Bachelor Pad” by “Dancing with the Stars” hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke in a live press conference sponsored by the September 16 film release, “I Don’t Know How She Does It,” are:

DAVID ARQUETTE — David Arquette is an actor, writer, director, producer and soon to be dancer. In 1997 Arquette was discovered at Sundance for his role in “Johns.” Since that time, he has acted in dozens of feature films, including the “Scream” films, “Hamlet 2,” “The Grey Zone,” “Dream with the Fishes,” “Never Die Alone” and “The Darwin Awards.” This year he reprised his role as Deputy “Dewey” Riley in the much anticipated fourth installment of the “Scream” films. He has also joined the cast of the Disney Television interactive series, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” where he lends his voice as Scully, a lookout pirate parrot who helps Jake and his crew of kid pirates. In January 2003, Arquette formed a production company, Coquette Productions, with Courteney Cox. Through their company, he wrote and produced his directorial debut, “The Tripper,” as well as “The Butler’s in Love,” which he executive-produced and directed. Also under the Coquette banner he produced the F/X drama “Dirt” and ABC’s “Cougar Town,” with Bill Lawrence, which Arquette executive produces along with Cox, who stars. Up next, he will direct the 3D psychological thriller “Glutton” for Remember Dreaming Productions, executive-producing through Coquette.

RON ARTEST — Born in Queensbridge, New York, Ron Artest is currently a member of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team and a father to four children. He was signed to a five-year contract by the L.A. Lakers as a free agent in 2009 and has been playing professional basketball in the NBA since 1999. He was selected to the 2005-06 NBA’s All-Defensive Team, was voted by the media as 2003-04 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and was the only man with 271 steals in his first two seasons in the NBA– breaking Michael Jordan’s record. Artest won his first World Championship ring in June 2010 after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals, and received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award – the NBA’s highest citizenship and community service honor – in April 2011. In his career, he has played for the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and now the Los Angeles Lakers. He has remained an active contributor in his hometown and in the home cities of the organizations for which he has played, as well as in regions globally that require urgent humanitarian aid. In August 2007, Artest formed the non-profit Xcel University to officially organize and streamline his charitable contributions and community endeavors under one umbrella. He joined a contingent of representatives from the NBA Players Association working with Feed the Children, as well as Project Contact Africa, and became a spokesman in PETA’s (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) A.B.C. (Animal Birth Control) campaign in 2007. In the fall of 2008, Artest launched The Artest Math Masters program at Felix Cook Jr. Elementary School in partnership with the Houston Independent School District, which rewarded students who maintained high grades in Mathematics during the 2008-2009 school year. In fall 2010, he decided to raffle off his 2010 NBA World Championship Ring, with the proceeds going to Xcel University. Funds raised through the ring raffle were earmarked for non-profits that provide mental health therapists and mental health services to those who wouldn’t be able to otherwise afford them. Artest has visited dozens of community centers, schools and libraries in low income areas of numerous cities throughout his career, speaking to kids about the virtues of education and a life devoid of violence and drugs, and on the importance of getting a college education. He sponsors summer basketball tournaments in the Queensbridge Projects in New York City, sends kids from Queensbridge to summer camps, and pays tuition for kids from Queensbridge who show academic promise to attend private schools. In June 2011, he filed a petition to legally change his name to Metta World Peace.

CHAZ BONO — Chaz Bono is an LGBT rights advocate, three time author, speaker and the only child of famed entertainers Sonny and Cher. His decision to come out as a Lesbian in 1995 prompted his public work in support of LGBT rights and social justice. Chaz has contributed as a writer-at-large to The Advocate and, in 1996, became the Human Rights Campaign’s National Coming Out Day spokesperson. He also served as Entertainment Media Director for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), and has spoken at dozens of universities and LGBT events. An acclaimed author, he has written three books, including Transition, which was released by Dutton on May 10th. Transition is his groundbreaking and candid account of a 40-year struggle to match his gender identity with his physical body. He has most recently shared his life and experiences in the three-time Emmy nominated documentary, “Becoming Chaz.” Premiering to standing ovations at this year’s Sundance, “Becoming Chaz” had its world television premiere on May 10, 2011 on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Chaz continues to create visibility, raise awareness and effect change for LGBT issues. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his fiancé, Jennifer Elia.

ELISABETTA CANALIS – Known for her gorgeous figure and striking expressions, Elisabetta Canalis became an instantly recognizable figure in the world of high fashion and advertising. She has worked with some of the greatest fashion icons, including Roberto Cavalli, and has graced such magazine covers as Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ and Cosmopolitan. Born in Sassari, Sardinia, Italy, Canalis’ father, Cesare and mother, Bruna enrolled Elisabetta in the elite school Liceo Azuni, where she studied throughout her high school years. After graduating, she moved to Milan to study foreign languages at the prestigious Universita Statale. It was there that she made the bold career decision to pursue acting rather than foreign languages, and her enthusiasm for her craft soon landed her a series regular role on the infamous Italian television drama, “Striscia la Notizia,” for three years. The exposure and critical acclaim she received presented Canalis the opportunity to work in American & Italian film and TV. She has since appeared in the comedies “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo” and “Virgin Territory.” In Italy she appeared in the films “La Seconda Volta Non Si Scorda Mai,” “La fidanzata di papa,” “A Natale mi Sposo,” as well as “Christmas in NY.” Television credits include the Italian series “Carabinieri” and the sitcom “Love Bugs.” Canalis has also demonstrated her impressive dramatic capabilities in America with a recurring role on TNT’s smash hit, “Leverage.” Her entertainment career continued to blossom after her big screen debut. Her drive for success and passion for music were united when she hosted the Italian version of “Total Request Live,” as well as Italy’s annual music festival, Festivalbar 2007. Recently she co-hosted the 61st edition of the Sanremo Music Festival, which is considered to be the most prestigious television event in Italy. Canalis is also known for her great philanthropic endeavors. Combining her deep love of animals and her passion for modeling, she participated in an upcoming anti-fur campaign with PETA. An avid equestrian for the past 10 years, she says that her opposition to animal cruelty began as a young girl. Her work with PETA solidifies her determination to end all forms of animal abuse and neglect. Canalis currently resides in Los Angeles, California and Milan, Italy but she loves coming back to Sardinia, the island where she was born and where part of her family lives.

KRISTIN CAVALLARI — Born in Denver, Colorado, Kristin Cavallari moved to California with her brother and father as a high school junior when the first season of “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County” began production for MTV. She was nominated for a Teen Choice Award in 2006 for Choice Reality Star. After completing two successful years on the hit show, Cavallari switched gears to focus on a career in acting. From 2006-2009 she starred in such films as “Van Wilder: Freshman Year,” “Green Flash,” “Spring Breakdown” and “Wild Cherry,” alongside Rumer Willis and Rob Schneider. Next she played a guest role on “CSI: NY,” and most recently on ABC’s “The Middle.” Other credits include “Veronica Mars,” the lead role in Teddy Geiger’s “For You I Will (Confidence)” music video and Gavin Degraw’s video for his single, “In Love with a Girl.” In May 2009, Cavallari confirmed that she would be joining the cast of MTV’s reality series “The Hills.” Currently serving as ambassador of children’s charity One Kid One World, Cavallari joins the fight to aid underprivileged children around the globe. In 2010 she traveled to El Salvador, where she spent time rebuilding schools in local communities. Continuing her humanitarian efforts, she made her way to Kenya in early 2011 for another project for One Kid One World. Most recently Cavallari combined her passion for fashion and love for charity by teaming up with Shoe Dazzle to design a spring shoe, with proceeds benefiting the charity. Her new spring shoe, named Bardot, will be available in summer of 2011.

NANCY GRACE — An outspoken, tireless advocate for victims’ rights and one of TV’s most respected legal analysts, Nancy Grace is the powerful force behind HLN’s top-rated “Nancy Grace.” A former prosecutor with an unparalleled record of success, Grace’s life changed forever in 1979 when her fiancé, Keith Griffin, was shot and killed. She abandoned plans to become an English professor and turned to criminal justice. Her first book, Objection!, became an instant New York Times bestseller, as did her two subsequent novels, The Eleventh Victim and Death on the D-List. A television movie adaptation of The Eleventh Victim is currently in development. Grace initially came to TV from the Atlanta Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, where she served for over a decade as a felony prosecutor of violent crimes. Known for her authentic sensibility and her firebrand take on the justice system, she was tapped to co-host Court TV’s “Cochran and Grace,” and later, the live daily trial coverage program, “Closing Arguments.” Grace, her husband and her twins reside in Atlanta and New York City.

ROB KARDASHIAN — Born in Los Angeles, California, Rob Kardashian is the fourth child and only son of the late attorney Robert Kardashian and Kris Jenner; he has five sisters, Kourtney, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, and Kendall and Kylie Jenner. Rob graduated from the prestigious Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California with a degree in Business Entrepreneurship. He stars in the No. 1 hit reality television show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” and also stars in the hit series for E!, “Khloe & Lamar.” True to the entrepreneurial attitude he developed during college, Rob is involved in several business ventures. He is co-manager of the pop music, female super-group BG5, alongside renowned manager Kenneth Crear. He also enjoys a successful modeling career as the face of the popular brand Ocean Pacific. Rob travels across the country making personal appearances for club venues and charity events. In his spare time, he maintains an active lifestyle. He runs and plays basketball with his NBA Laker Champion brother-in-law, Lamar Odom, loves to play golf, and is an avid skier. Rob currently lives in Los Angeles, California, with his sister, Khloe, and Lamar.

CARSON KRESSLEY — Emmy-winning television star, celebrity stylist, author and fashion designer Carson Kressley is currently starring in “Carson-Nation,” a one-hour reality show on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN, in which he travels to small towns throughout the U.S., transforming lives one person at a time. Previously, Kressley helmed Lifetime’s critically-acclaimed “How to Look Good Naked,” and earned a primetime Emmy for his role on Bravo’s breakout hit series, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” He hosted ABC’s “True Beauty” from executive producers Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher, the WB series “Crowned,” as well as “Your Own Show: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star” on OWN. He was a frequent style contributor on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Kressley co-starred in Universal’s “The Perfect Man” and opposite John Goodman in NBC’s “The Year Without a Santa Claus.” Host of the 2008 True Colors tour with Cyndi Lauper and the B52′s, which raised awareness and promoted equality for the LGBT community, Kressley is also a New York Times best-selling author with three books to his credit, including the children’s book You’re Different and That’s Super, a children’s book promoting diversity and tolerance. A strong supporter of many philanthropic causes, he has worked with The Trevor Project, The Human Rights Campaign, The Empire State Pride Agenda, LIGALY, GLSEN, AIDS WALK, and the Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation. Kressley is the founder of Manhattan’s Ali Forney Center’s “Styled For Success” program, which provides career wardrobes for formerly homeless youth, and was the founding donor of the first scholarship program for LGBT youth in his hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania. When he is not working, he can be found on one of his American Saddlebred show horses, with which he has achieved World Champion status.

RICKI LAKE — Poised to return to daytime television with the all-new “The Ricki Lake Show” in the fall of 2012, Ricki Lake is a pop culture icon who has built a career on her candid, “straight talk” sensibility and her authentic, relatable nature. She has maintained a worldwide fan base that is a true cross-section of age and ethnicity, and her approachable appeal has charmed international movie and television audiences for more than two decades. As Tracy Turnblad, the zaftig heroine of the original John Waters’ film “Hairspray,” Lake made an acting debut that positioned her as an “entertainer to watch” in Hollywood. Later, with a surprise turn as a talk show host, she met with unprecedented success and earned her place as a beloved media personality across the globe. Lake has recently completed work on a memoir due on shelves in the spring 2012. In addition, she executive-produced the critically acclaimed documentary, “The Business of Being Born,” which debuted at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival and examines natural childbirth in the United States. That project has generated a grassroots movement and led to the publication of her first book, Your Best Birth. On November 8, 2011, Lake and her filmmaking partner, Abby Epstein, will release a four-part follow-up DVD series, “More Business of Being Born,” offering invaluable information and featuring birth stories from some of Hollywood’s most notable celebrities. Lake starred in John Waters’ “Cry Baby,” opposite Johnny Depp, and “Serial Mom,” alongside Kathleen Turner. Other notable appearances include the contemporary classic “Working Girl,” the acclaimed drama “Last Exit to Brooklyn,” the romantic comedy “Mrs. Winterbourne,” opposite Shirley MacLaine and Brendan Fraser, and “Where the Day Takes You,” opposite Dermot Mulroney. She also starred in the CBS film “Babycakes” and the popular television series “China Beach” and “The King of Queens.”

J.R. MARTINEZ — J.R. Martinez is an Iraq War veteran, motivational speaker and actor on ABC’s “All My Children.” In April 2003, at 19 years of age, Martinez was serving as a humvee driver for the United States Army in Iraq when his left front tire hit a landmine. He suffered smoke inhalation and burns to more than 40 percent of his body. He was immediately evacuated and sent to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, TX, where he spent 34 months in recovery. Since his injury, Martinez has undergone 33 different surgeries, including skin grafts and cosmetic surgery. While in recovery, he started speaking to other burn patients within the hospital, sharing his experiences and listening to theirs. News of his story and efforts to help others quickly spread, first on a local level and then to national circuits, leading to appearances on “Oprah,” “60 Minutes,” CNN and more. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Martinez has traveled the country since 2004, spreading his message of resilience and optimism. Today he is a sought-after motivational speaker and has shared the stage with many notable individuals. In October 2008, he joined the cast of ABC’s Emmy® Award-winning daytime drama, “All My Children,” as combat veteran Brot Monroe. He continues to balance his motivational speaking engagements and charity work with his acting. He is also busy working on his memoir. Born in Shreveport, LA, Martinez moved to Hope, AZ, where he and his mother lived until he was 17. They moved to Dalton, GA, just prior to his senior year, the place he proudly calls his hometown.

CHYNNA PHILLIPS — Wife, mother, singer/songwriter, actress, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Chynna Phillips has been surrounded by Hollywood since she first entered this world. Born to musicians John and Michelle Phillips of famed 60′s group The Mamas and The Papas, Chynna began her acting career appearing in John Hughes’ 1982 teen-sensation, “Some Kind of Wonderful.” She followed up with roles in 1988′s “Caddyshack II,” 1989′s “Say Anything,” and played the character Roxanne Pulitzer in the 1989 TV biopic, “Roxanne: The Prize Pulitzer.” Next Phillips, along with childhood friends Carnie & Wendy Wilson, formed the trio Wilson Phillips. In 1990 the group released their self-titled debut album which would go on to sell ten million copies worldwide, go 5x multi-platinum, with three No. 1 singles. Billboard declared them the best selling female group of all time, breaking the record previously set by Motown’s The Supremes. Wilson Phillips was nominated for five Grammy Awards, an American Music Award and won a Billboard Music Award (for “Hold On” and “Release Me,” written by Phillips). Taking a break from the group, Phillips released a successful solo album entitled “Naked & Sacred,” while also filming and starring in the lead role of the television remake of famed Broadway musical “Bye Bye Birdie.” That same year she also married husband and fellow actor William Baldwin. She then took time off to focus on family, and had three children, while also reclaiming herself and becoming a Christian. In 2004 she reunited with Wilson Phillips and they released their 3rd album, “California,” which paid homage to west coast musicians from the 1960s and 1970s. In 2009 Phillips teamed up with singer/songwriter Vaughan Penn to form the Christian pop duo Chynna & Vaughan, and put out an album entitled “One Reason.” Shortly thereafter, Wilson Phillips also released their 1st Christmas album, “Wilson Phillips Christmas in Harmony.” Earlier this year, it was announced that Wilson Phillips would be reuniting again for an album of original music to celebrate their 20 years together as a musical group. The group was also featured in this year’s blockbuster comedy film, “Bridesmaids.” Phillips works with the charity Los Angelitos Orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico, which is devoted to helping the children who are displaced by the constant violence in the city and to creating a warm and loving environment for the kids.

HOPE SOLO — Hope Solo is widely considered the best goalkeeper in the world and has been the starter for the United States women’s national team since 2005. She scored 109 goals as a high school forward before moving to goal at the University of Washington near her hometown of Richland, Washington. At the 2011 World Cup, Solo recorded two shutouts in group play, and then, in what is considered one of the greatest soccer games in history, made a save in a penalty shootout against Brazil in the quarterfinal, helping the Americans advance to the semis. The U.S. reached the final, falling to Japan in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw. Solo was awarded the Adidas Golden Glove by FIFA as the tournament’s top goalkeeper. She was also the starting goalkeeper for the United States in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where the U.S. women’s team won the gold medal by defeating Brazil 1-0 in extra time, in no small measure due to Solo’s performance as she stopped an energetic Brazilian attack, making save after save. Solo started her Women’s Professional Soccer career playing for Saint Louis Athletica, and was named Goalkeeper of the Year in 2009. Since then she has played for the Atlanta Beat and currently plays for magicJack as the starting goalkeeper, and is a two-time WPS All Star. When not playing soccer, Solo enjoys reading, basketball, beach volleyball and other outdoor activities. She loves traveling the world and gives back through community service projects.

“Dancing with the Stars” returns with a few huge new surprises, plus all the elements viewers have come to know and love. “Macy’s Stars of Dance,” which features some of the best choreographers and performers from different styles of dance and offers viewers performances that represent the peak of achievement in their genres, will return on “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show.” One of the “Macy’s Stars of Dance” performances will be the popular “Design-a-Dance,” where fans have the chance to select their favorite professional dancers, dance styles, songs and costumes at www.abc.com. New this season will be “AT&T’s Spotlight Performance,” which features and celebrates people whose lives have been changed forever by dance.

Below are key dates for Season 13 (dates and times subject to change):

* “Dancing with the Stars’” two-hour season premiere, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET)
* “Dancing with Stars: Meet the Cast” one-hour special, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET)
* “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show” one-hour season premiere, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET)
* “Dancing with the Stars’” season finale, NOVEMBER 2011 (date TBA).

Hosted by Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Brooke Burke (“Dancing with the Stars” Season Seven Champion), the celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

Viewers may cast their votes for their favorite teams via phone on Monday night during and up to 30 minutes after the “Dancing with the Stars” performance shows. AT&T customers may also text message their votes by texting the word “VOTE” and entering the number that corresponds to the team they want to support (message and data rates may apply). Viewers may also vote online at www.abc.com starting from the opening of each episode on the East Coast with voting closing at 8:00 a.m., PT/11:00 a.m., ET on Tuesday mornings.

Just in time for the big casting news, ABC.com is launching its new “Discuss” pages, www.abc.tv/DWTSDiscuss. In addition to featuring the show’s official Twitter and Facebook feeds, the pages are designed to make it easier to find, follow and dive into conversations that are happening around the show. Site producers will be actively pulling and highlighting conversations that are really resonating with fans, trending on Twitter or are simply fun or different. Throughout the season the ABC.com team will use the page to share exclusive content, host talent chats and, ultimately, highlight the uber fans that participate the most.

“Dancing with the Stars” is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, “Strictly Come Dancing.” This version is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Ashley Edens-Shaffer and Joe Sungkur are co-executive producers. Alex Rudzinski directs. “Dancing with the Stars” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

http://youtu.be/YEtFBPQNsr0

Black Eyed Peas, Go-Gos Perform on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season Finale; Sara Evans Returns to Dance Floor

After 10 weeks of electrifying performances, heartbreaking eliminations and shocking moments of the most intense competition in 12 seasons, Kirstie Alley, Chelsea Kane and Hines Ward will have one last chance to shine before the “Dancing with the Stars” champions are crowned. Next week, Season 12′s three finalists will try to impress the judges and viewers and emerge the victors on two final nights of dancing, Monday, May 23 at 8:00 pm ET/PT, concluding on the Season Finale, Tuesday, May 24 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on ABC.

In the final one-hour performance show on Monday, May 23, the couples will compete in two dances. The first number, the Judges’ Choice, is the style that the judges have determined to be the one each couple showed promise in and could now excel at based on hours of practice and performance. Then all three contenders will perform their fan favorite Freestyle dances.

The anticipation builds and competition continues for the two-hour Season Finale on Tuesday, May 24, as the three finalists perform their own favorite dance of the season and are ranked by the judges. In addition, each of this season’s 11 couples returns to the dance floor for a special performance. All of the excitement and frenzy will lead up to the moment we’ve been waiting for – who among the three finalists will reign as champions of “Dancing with the Stars” and take home the coveted mirror ball trophy?

Also on Tuesday’s spectacular Season Finale, one the best-selling, most popular and most innovative groups in over a decade, The Black Eyed Peas, will perform the exclusive television premiere of their new single, “Don’t Stop the Party,” live. The Black Eyed Peas have transformed themselves from a beloved backpack rap troop from the West Coast Underground into fully-fledged, massive global superstars whose music can be heard in any country around the world. Having created several albums, each more innovative and popular than the last, The Black Eyed Peas – will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap – are releasing their sixth full-length album, “The Beginning.” This follows on the heels of 2009′s “The E.N.D.,” their most popular and most creative album to date – and the one that reaffirmed their singular status as global music icons. “The E.N.D.” sold more than 11 million copies worldwide and entered the Billboard Top 200 Chart at No. 1, outperforming their previous CD, “Monkey Business.” It yielded five Top 10 singles (the first album to do so in 20 years), spent an entire year on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, and earned the group three new Grammy Awards, for a total of six Grammy Awards they’ve won. In all, they’ve sold 29 million records worldwide (plus over 30-million digital tracks), sold more than 3 million tickets and headlined over 300 different tour dates in 29 different countries. “The Beginning’s” first single, “The Time (Dirty Bit),” went straight to No. 1 on iTunes in 11 countries within the first 24 hours. Much of “The Beginning” was conceived during their most recent worldwide headlining tour, where they visited more than 20 countries and played to more than a million people.

For the first time in a “DWTS” Season Finale, Macy’s Stars of Dance presents the Macy’s Design-a-Dance fan favorite Jive song pick, “We Got the Beat,” to be performed live in the ballroom by the Go-Go’s. The winning “DWTS” pro dancers and concept will also be revealed Tuesday night. This will be the band’s first television performance together in over five years and kicks off a spectacular summer of events celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Go-Go’s debut, history-making album, “Beauty and the Beat.” The Go-Go’s recently announced the addition of a tour kick-off performance to be held in Las Vegas, NV at The Beach at Mandalay Bay on May 27, 2011. When “Beauty and the Beat” was released and flew up the charts 30 years ago, it became a perennial soundtrack for summer and reached the top of the Billboard charts, the first for an all-female band who wrote and performed their own music. Also just released, “The Go-Go’s: Beauty and the Beat 30th Anniversary Edition” by Capitol/I.R.S. commemorative edition, available in 2CD, digital and hot pink vinyl format, which features the remastered original album plus exclusive, previously unreleased live show recordings from 1981.

Country music star/”DWTS” Season 3 alum Sara Evans returns to the ballroom floor after having to withdraw from the competition. Having made a huge comeback, Sara’s new RCA Nashville album, “Stronger,” was released March 8 and scored back-to-back weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. First week sales earned the album a No. 6 debut on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. The album’s first hit single, “A Little Bit Stronger,” recently reached the No. 1 position on the country radio charts and stayed there for two consecutive weeks. “A Little Bit Stronger” was also recently RIAA-certified as a Gold Digital Single, reflecting digital sales in excess of 500,000 downloads. Beginning June 18, Evans will join Rascal Flatts on their summer “Flatts Fest” tour.

Hosted by Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Brooke Burke (“Dancing with the Stars” Season Seven Champion), the celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

James Blunt, Nicki Minaj Perform on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ ‘Ballroom Greats’ Week

“Dancing with the Stars” celebrates “Ballroom Greats” week, Monday, May 2 at 8:00 pm ET/PT, on The ABC Television Network. Serving as guest judge, alongside Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, is Donnie Burns MBE, the most decorated Latin dancer of all time and head of the World Dance Council. Each couple, who will dance a style they have yet to perform, will have received a “master class” from one of ballroom’s best, either former Latin World Champion Shirley Ballas or Luca Baricchi, former Ballroom World Champ.

Monday is also the first time that the couples perform two dances, the second, the Team Cha Cha Competition. Captains Hines Ward and Chelsea Kane lead their teams, Kirstie Alley & Kendra Wilkinson and Ralph Macchio & Romeo, respectively, each to be scored as a group by the judges.

On Tuesday, May 3 at 8:00 pm ET/PT, the evening begins with “Dancing with the Stars: The Encore,” which will show highlights from the previous night’s performances. Then on “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show” at 9:00 pm ET/PT, another couple will be eliminated from the competition, and musical guests James Blunt and Nicki Minaj perform. James Blunt will sing “I’ll Be Your Man” and, in honor of “Ballroom Greats” week, Amateur U.S. Latin champions Val Chmerkovskiy and his partner, Daria Chesnokova, will dance. Nicki Minaj performs “Moment 4 Life” — Lacey Schwimmer, Chelsie Hightower, Kiki Nyemchek and Sonny Pederson dance.

This week’s “Macy’s Stars of Dance” is a special tribute to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, in celebration of his birthday. The multitalented Wayne Brady stars in the number and is choreographed by creative directors Kevin and Marcel Wilson.

In the first “Spotlight Segment” of the season, the spotlight shines on 17-year-old ballerina Patricia Zhou. Patricia currently studies at the prestigious Kirov Academy of Ballet and has just been accepted at the Royal Ballet. In the weeks to come, “Spotlight Segments” will feature people whose lives have been changed by dance.

British singer/songwriter and 5x Grammy(r) nominee James Blunt recently released his third album, “Some Kind of Trouble.” The album, which includes the international smash “Stay the Night” and the new single “I’ll Be Your Man,” has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide, bringing Blunt’s total global album sales to a staggering 19 million. Blunt is without question among the most gifted and successful singer/songwriters of his generation. He first captured the world’s attention with his 2x RIAA platinum-certified debut, “Back to Bedlam,” which featured the history-making No. 1 classic, “You’re Beautiful.” “All the Lost Souls” followed two years later, debuting atop the album charts in 10 countries and earning unanimous critical acclaim for such hits as “1973″ and “Same Mistake.”

Minaj debuted her studio album, “Pink Friday,” in 2010, breaking into the Billboard 200. One month after its release, the Recording Industry Association of America certified the album platinum. Minaj is the first artist to have seven songs in the Billboard Hot 100 at one time. “Your Love” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. She is the first artist to top the chart unaccompanied since 2002, and is the first female artist to be included on MTV’s Annual Hot MC List. Minaj is a finalist for four Billboard Music Awards, including Top New Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Album and Top R&B Song. “The 2011 Billboard Music Awards” air May 22 on ABC.

By Tuesday evening’s end, one couple will be eliminated from the competition, as determined by a combination of the judges’ scores and viewers’ votes for Monday’s performance. Who among the seven remaining teams will leave the ballroom floor?

* KIRSTIE ALLEY, television and movie star, and MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY
* CHELSEA KANE, Disney star, and two-time champ MARK BALLAS
* RALPH MACCHIO, movie star, and KARINA SMIRNOFF
* ROMEO, rapper and actor, teamed up with CHELSIE HIGHTOWER
* HINES WARD, Super Bowl MVP, and Season 9 champion KYM JOHNSON
* KENDRA WILKINSON, reality star, with LOUIS VAN AMSTEL

Hosted by Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke, the celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

 

‘American Idol’s’ Pia Toscano, NKOTBSB, ‘Rock of Ages’ Join Hanson Next Week on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Hanson perform their new song, “Give a Little,” during the one-hour special, “Dancing with the Stars: The Road to the Finals,” Tuesday, April 26 at 8:00 pm ET/PT. Within the live hour, the remaining couples will look ahead, through live interviews and video, to what it will take for each of them to reach the finals. Past “DWTS” celebrities and the judges will also provide their commentary on each couple.

Also performing in the “Road to the Finals” special is the cast of the five-time Tony Award®- nominated musical “Rock of Ages.” Starring Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis and Rebecca Faulkenberry, the cast will sing a special medley of the show’s hits created specifically for “Dancing with the Stars.”

Then, on “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show: Episode 1206A” at 9:00 pm ET/PT, another couple will be eliminated from the competition, and special musical guests pop icons NKOTBSB (New Kids On the Block/Back Street Boys) will perform their smash hit, “Don’t Turn Out the Lights” — accompanied on the ballroom floor by “DWTS” pros Lacey Schwimmer & Tony Dovolani and members of our “DWTS” Troupe — and a two-song medley of their megahits “Step by Step” and “I Want It That Way,” accompanied by Anna Trebunskaya & Peta Murgatroyd. Plus, singer Pia Toscano (“American Idol”) will sing “I’ll Stand by You,” accompanied by pros Mark Ballas & Karina Smirnoff.

Also this week, a wedding-themed “Macy’s Stars of Dance” number will celebrate the highly-anticipated Royal Wedding with a romantic performance illustrating a fairytale love story throughout the ages. The number will be choreographed by and star one of the hot new names in choreography, Chris Scott, co-artistic director and choreographer of the acclaimed web series, “League of Extraordinary Dancers” (The LXD).

By Tuesday evening’s end, one couple will be eliminated from the competition, as determined by a combination of the judges’ scores and viewers’ votes for Monday’s performance. Who among the seven remaining teams will leave the ballroom floor?

* KIRSTIE ALLEY, television and movie star, and MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY
* CHRIS JERICHO, WWE star, with two-time champ CHERYL BURKE
* CHELSEA KANE, Disney star, and two-time champ MARK BALLAS
* RALPH MACCHIO, movie star, and KARINA SMIRNOFF
* ROMEO, rapper and actor, teamed up with CHELSIE HIGHTOWER
* HINES WARD, Super Bowl MVP, and Season 9 champion KYM JOHNSON
* KENDRA WILKINSON, reality star, with LOUIS VAN AMSTEL

Hosted by Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Brooke Burke (“Dancing with the Stars” Season Seven Champion), the celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.