Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars marks the first time prior contestants will return for another chance at winning the coveted mirror ball trophy for a very special All-Star season. From former champions to fan favorites, including a celebrity voted in by fans, the stars will return and be paired with some of the world’s most decorated professional ballroom dancers for the most unforgettable season yet. Week to week, these Dancing with the Stars alumni will once again compete to impress the judges and the viewers at home in order to be crowned the mirror ball champions.
In a show first, fans will determine who the final All-Star cast member will be. The three celebrities vying to fill the 13th spot on the cast are Sabrina Bryan, Carson Kressley and Kyle Massey. Fans can vote for their favorite “Viewers’ Choice: All-Star” at www.ABC.com/DancingwiththeStars, presented by Diet Pepsi, starting today, Friday, July 27, at 10:30 a.m., PT through Friday, August 24, at 12:00 p.m., PT, to determine which of the three celebrities will be named the final All-Star contestant. Once voting has closed, the final cast member will be announced live on Good Morning America, on Monday, August 27.
The All-Star cast and their professional partners will take to the stage for the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars, Monday, September 24 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET), followed by the premiere of Dancing with the Stars the Results Show on Tuesday, September 25 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
As announced today, the 12 out of 13 All-Star celebrities returning to the dance floor this season are:
KIRSTIE ALLEY – Kirstie Alley has emerged as one of the great actresses of her generation, proving time and again that she is capable of great depth and range, as well as possessing comedic timing second to none. Alley’s work in television has earned her seven Golden Globe and eight Emmy nominations, winning one Golden Globe, two Emmys and three People’s Choice Awards.
PAMELA ANDERSON – A multi-talented model, actress, entrepreneur, writer, philanthropist, activist, spokesperson, designer and mother, Pamela Anderson is one of the most diversely talented stars in history. Anderson follows her passions, whether it’s Learning French in fast cars… (A play she has written and will produce) or lending herself, with complete faith, as a death-defying magician’s assistant in Las Vegas.
HELIO CASTRONEVES – One of the most popular personalities in all of sports, Helio Castroneves – Team Penske’s elder statesman - has accomplished much in his illustrious career, yet he remains passionate in his desire to achieve much more. Castroneves returns for his 13th season with Team Penske in 2012, driving the No. 3 Shell-V-Power Pennzoil-Ultra and AAA/Automobile Club of Southern California Indy car.
JOEY FATONE – Former *NSYNC star Joey Fatone is embarking on a series of projects for Fremantle Media Enterprises—from hosting “Price is Right Live” in Las Vegas and Atlantic City to “Let’s Make a Deal” for Caesar Entertainment—and currently is the voice of the widely successful re-launch of Family Feud with Steve Harvey.
SHAWN JOHNSON – At 20 years old, gymnast Shawn Johnson has accomplished a lifetime of achievements, including an individual gold medal in the balance beam and three silver medals in the individual all-around, floor exercise and team categories at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
DREW LACHEY – Drew Lachey, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, is best known for his multi-platinum pop group 98 Degrees, which he joined with his brother Nick in 1995. Lachey is the Season Two winner of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, beating out 10 other dance couples in 2006.
GILLES MARINI — Gilles Marini first captivated audiences as Dante, the steamy neighbor living next door to Kim Cattrall’s Samantha in the Sex and the City feature film, a role which made him instantly recognizable in the United States and abroad, followed by finishing in 2nd place on Season Eight of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.
KELLY MONACO – Kelly Monaco originated the highly anticipated role of Samantha McCall on ABC’s General Hospital in October 2003. In the category of Outstanding Lead Actress, Monaco was an Emmy nominee for this role in 2006. Her television credits include co-hosting the 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards as they were broadcast for the first time from Hollywood.
APOLO ANTON OHNO – Best known for making history at the 2010 Winter Olympics by becoming the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian with eight career Olympic medals, Apolo Ohno has been the top short-track speed skater in the U.S. Among his tremendous accolades, Ohno is a three-time Olympian, one of only four Americans to win three medals in a single Winter Olympics, and is a 12-time U.S. National Champion.
BRISTOL PALIN – Bristol Palin, 21 years old, was born and raised in Wasilla, Alaska. Bristol is the second child and oldest daughter of former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd.
MELISSA RYCROFT – One week after the most talked about season finale of ABC’s The Bachelor, Bachelor star Melissa Rycroft stepped onto the dance floor in heroic fashion on Dancing with the Stars. With just two days to prepare for her nationally televised ballroom dancing debut, Rycroft displayed character and strength overcoming nerves, anxiety and the pressure to perform in front of a live audience.
EMMITT SMITH – A respected entrepreneur, sought-after speaker, bestselling author and dancing’s “king of effortless cool,” Emmitt Smith first rose to prominence via an illustrious football career, most notably winning three Super Bowl championships as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.
As announced, the three celebrity alumnus competing to be the “Viewer’s Choice: All-Star” are:
SABRINA BRYAN — Sabrina Bryan was a member of the multi-platinum recording act The Cheetah Girls, as well as a star of the hugely successful Disney Channel movie of the same name.
CARSON KRESSLEY – Emmy-winning television star, celebrity stylist, author and fashion designer Carson Kressley is out to make over the world. Kressley was a season 13 “fan-favorite” on ABC’s Dancing with The Stars and recently headlined as the host of Dancing with the Stars: Live in Las Vegas.
KYLE MASSEY - Although only 20 years old, Kyle Massey is already an industry veteran. A near champion on Season 11 of “Dancing with the Stars,” he finished second with his partner, Lacey Schwimmer. Massey is most known for his acting role as Cory Baxter on the Disney Channel’s No. 1 hit sitcom, “Cory in the House.”
The three contestants competing to be the “Viewers’ Choice: All-Star” will kick-off their campaign with their first television interview live in-studio on “Good Morning America,” Monday, July 30.
