Last night during “The Bachelor” — aka, The CDC’s second favorite reality show (VH1’s various “of Love” shows jointly hold the top spot) — 11 new celebrities were announced as the faces and feet of “Dancing with the Stars” season 12.
They are: Kirstie Alley, Hines Ward, Chris Jericho, Ralph Macchio, Wendy Williams, LA radio host “Psycho” Mike Catherwood, Romeo, Sugar Ray Leonard, Kendra Wilkinson, Petra Nemcova (not pictured) and Disney star Chelsea Kane.
These near dozen dancers hit almost all of “DWTS'” unofficial requirements roster. There’s the one-time megastar who’ll use the show as a catapult back into the limelight and a weight-loss system, multiple former athletes, an 80’s heartthrob, a brassy female comedian, a “who?” inclusion, a rapper/singer, a pair of silicone implants, a model and a Disney star.
The one glaring omission I’m endlessly thrilled about is the lack of someone with an extensive dance background, since the last three seasons have all featured ringers — Mya in season nine, Nicole Scherzinger in season ten and both Brandy & Jennifer Grey in season eleven.
Now, I am fully aware that the skillset required to execute ballroom routines is a very specialized one, but I think we need to all admit that all these women had a leg up on the competition given the endless amount of time they’d previously spent in dance studios.
Still don’t believe me? Then take a look at the numbers. None of those women placed outside the Top 4, while two went on to win the whole competition.
That’s why I’m pleased to see that all eleven of these contestants are on equal footing this year. Or at least appear to be … that Chelsea girl could be a sleeper.
Who am I rooting for? That’s easy — Kirstie Alley for the ladies and Ralph Macchio for the guys. I’m a child of the 80’s, what d’ya want from me?
“Dancing with the Stars” premieres March 21 at 8pm on ABC
Photo: ABC