Thursday, December 08, 2005

DANCING WITH THE STARS Announces Cast For Second Season

A New Galaxy Of Stars Take To The Dance Floor On The Second Season Of ABC´s Hit Variety Series, DANCING WITH THE STARS

An NFL legend, a Hollywood icon, a Platinum-selling rap singer and even an Academy Award-winning actress are among the performers who will strut their stuff when the second season of the sensational dance series, DANCING WITH THE STARS, premieres Thursday, January 5 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Hosted by Tom Bergeron, the new season boasts an expanded lineup with even more celebrities than before. Preparing to waltz, fox trot and cha cha cha their way into living rooms across America are:

TIA CARRERE Television and movie star known for her stunning beauty. She will be partnered with professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

GISELLE FERNANDEZ Emmy Award-winning journalist. She will be partnered with professional dancer Jonathan Roberts, who returns to the series from last season.

GEORGE HAMILTON Actor and international bon vivant. He will be partnered with professional dancer Edyta Sliwinska, who makes her second appearance in the series.

STACY KIEBLER WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) diva. She will be partnered with professional dancer Tony Dovolani.

DREW LACHEY Recording artist and former member of the pop group 98 Degrees. He will be partnered with professional dancer Cheryl Burke.

KENNY MAYNE One of ESPN´s most-recognized personalities, known for his dry wit and a former college quarterback. He will be partnered with professional dancer Andrea Hale.

TATUM O'NEAL Academy Award-winning actress. She will be partnered with professional dancer Nick Kosovich.

JERRY RICE Three-time Super Bowl champ and considered by many to be the greatest wide receiver to ever play in the NFL. He will be partnered with professional dancer Anna Trebunskaya.

LISA RINNA Actress, entrepreneur and host of SOAPnet´s SOAP TALK. She will be partnered with professional dancer Louis van Amstel, who returns to the series from last season.

ROMEO Teen rap star and performer since age eleven. He will be partnered with professional dancer Ashly Delgrosso, who also returns to the series from last season.

The pairs will perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by a panel of dance experts: Former dancers Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and dancer/choreographer Carrie Ann Inaba. The viewing public also gets to weigh in, by phoning in or voting online for their favorite performers.

The scores are combined and the outcome will be announced during a results show which will be televised the following evening, with one couple being eliminated each week. The DANCING WITH THE STARS RESULT SHOW show premieres Friday, January 6 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET).

DANCING WITH THE STARS was last summer´s most successful series, averaging 16.8 million viewers weekly. Dazzling costumes, popular music performed by a spectacular 15-piece orchestra and electrifying performances offer glitz, glamour and spectacular fun.

DANCING WITH THE STARS is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, STRICTLY COME DANCING.