'Dancing With the Stars' 2014: Season 19 Celebrity Cast Revealed
Which celebrities are hitting the dance floor this season? Get the scoop.
— -- Season 19 of ABC's “Dancing With the Stars” is back on Sept. 15 and thirteen celebrity contenders are ready to strut their stuff in the ballroom.
"Fresh Prince of Bel Air" actor Alfonso Ribeiro, Olympian Lolo Jones, “Duck Dynasty’s” Sadie Robertson, actress Lea Thompson of “Back to the Future” fame, and “Mean Girls” actor Jonathan Bennett are among the stars leading off the new line-up.
Co-hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews announced the celebrity cast live today on “Good Morning America” in Times Square.
"We will absolutely give the fans what they would love to see, which is the Carlton dance," Ribeiro said this morning on "GMA" about incorporating the dance moves he made famous on "Fresh Prince" into his routines. "I’ve got to do the Carlton, I’ve got to do the 'Jump On It' and I got to do a little Michael Jackson. I gotta give the audience a reason to keep me on."
NASCAR great Michael Waltrip and Ultimate Fighting Champion Randy Couture will compete in the battle for the mirrorball trophy. Legendary comedian Tommy Chong, celebrated talk show host Tavis Smiley, as well as famed fashion designer Betsey Johnson and “General Hospital” heartthrob Antonio Sabato, Jr. also have their eyes on the prize.
Two fresh faces join the cast, including “Pretty Little Liars” actress Janel Parrish and YouTube beauty guru Bethany Mota.
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The celebrities’ professional partners were also unveiled live on “GMA.” Five-time champion Derek Hough will show Mota the ropes this season, and two-time mirrorball champ Cheryl Burke will dance with the former Calvin Klein underwear hunk, Sabato Jr.
The addition of Julianne Hough, named as the fourth judge last month, will add some pizazz this season. Hough, 26, won two mirror ball trophies as a pro during her “DWTS” run, and will have a permanent spot at the judges’ table next to veterans Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli.
Which celebrity are you most excited to see hit the dance floor this season? Tell us what you think in the comments and watch the season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars," Monday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
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Meet the Season 19 Pairs!
Lookout for the “Carlton Dance”! Ribeiro, best known for his role as the memorable Carlton Banks on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” will dance with pro Witney Carson. Ribeiro’s hilarious dance moves on the hit TV series gained a cult following among '90s kids.
Sadie Robertson and Mark Ballas
The 17-year-old appears in A&E’s reality show, “Duck Dynasty,” alongside family patriarch Phil Robertson and the rest of camouflage-wearing clan. The daughter of Duck Commander CEO Willie Robertson will trade duck calls for dancing shoes and sequins, pairing up with pro Mark Ballas this season.
“The [family] thought it was hilarious. We don’t really have that much dancing experience in our family, but it’s going to be really funny to see them there at the shows,” Robertson said on “GMA,” adding that she might be able practice with Uncle Si.
Waltrip is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s crown jewel event. He’s one of only ten multi-time winners, and went on to become a NASCAR broadcaster. Now, he will compete on "DWTS" with Emma Slater.Lolo Jones and Keo Motsepe
The season would not be complete without an Olympian! Track and Field star, Lolo Jones, follows in the footsteps of Sochi Olympic ice dancing duo, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, Shawn Johnson, Apollo Anton Ono, and more. She’s paired up with newbie pro Keo Motsepe.“It’s a lot of pressure. I’m definitely going to be calling [Meryl Davis] for tips,” Jones said today.Jonathan Bennett and Allison Holker
Best known as Aaron Samuels in “Mean Girls,” actor Jonathan Bennett will bring his “fetch” dance moves to the ballroom with new pro partner Allison Holker. The American professional dancer, 26, joins the "DWTS" cast this season.Lea Thompson and Artem Chigvintsev
The actress, best known for her role as the various incarnations of Lorraine McFly in the “Back to the Future” franchise, will partner up with new pro Artem Chigvintsev.
“I started out in New York and Pennsylvania and Minnesota as a ballet dancer, but that was 32 years ago so we’ll see,” Thompson explained of her dancing roots.
Antonio Sabato, Jr. and Cheryl Burke
The “General Hospital” heartthrob and iconic Calvin Klein underwear model, Antonio Sabato Jr., takes to the dance floor with two-time mirrorball champ Cheryl Burke.Randy Couture and Karina Smirnoff
The six-time World Ultimate Fighting Champion and Hall of Famer, known by his moniker, “Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture,” will battle for the mirrorball trophy with pro Karina Smirnoff. “I think the dance floor is definitely going to be tougher [than the wrestling ring],” Couture said. “I’m enjoying the training and finding some muscles I didn’t know I had.”Janel Parrish and Val Chmerkovskiy
The “Pretty Little Liars” star, who played “Mona” on the hit ABC Family TV series, will tango with Val Chmerkovskiy.Tommy Chong and Peta Murgatroyd
The Grammy award-winning comedian, part of the legendary comedy team Cheech & Chong, makes up a new “Dancing” duo now, with pro Peta Murgatroyd.Bethany Mota and Derek Hough
The YouTube beauty guru and social media trendsetter is paired up with pro dancer Derek Hough, the only five-time champion in the history of "DWTS."“She’s doing great,” Hough said of Mota. “She’s got some sass.”
Betsey Johnson and Tony Dovolani
The celebrated designer, known for her over the top designs, has rocked the fashion world since the 1960s, and will bring her colorful personality and pizazz to the dance floor this season with pro veteran Tony Dovolani.Tavis Smiley and Sharna Burgess
The celebrated talk show host and best-selling author will tango with pro Sharna Burgess.
“I’m about to turn 50 in a few weeks so I figured I’d do one last foolish thing before I turned 50,” Smiley joked on “GMA.”
Watch the season 19 premiere on Monday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Full coverage of the "Dancing With the Stars" Season 19 Cast Announcement on ABC.