Cast Announced for Dancing with the Stars Season 12

With the premiere just 3 weeks away, ABC has waited longer than usual to announce the cast for the upcoming season of its hit show, "Dancing with the Stars." Cast members were announced tonight during the airing of the network's show, "The Bachelor" although a partial list was leaked online earlier today. So dust off your remote controls and take a look at who will be gracing the ballroom on March 21 when the new season premieres at 8/7 Central.

Chris Jericho will have the advantage of two-time champ Cheryl Burke as his partner. Jericho has quite a resume, having worked as both a stage and television actor, rock musician, radio and television host and as a professional wrestler. He is used to training and long hours so he may have an edge over some of the other contestants.

Kirstie Alley pairs off with the fiery Maksim Chmerkovskiy. She is best known for her Emmy-winning role as Rebecca on the hit series "Cheers," as Mollie in the "Look Who's Talking" film series and for her struggles with her weight. Alley has no known dance training.

Romeo landed Chelsie Hightower as his professional partner. Having a music background as this rapper does isn't a lock on the competition. Despite his physique and basketball past, this young man will have his work cut out for him.

Kendra Wilkinson gets the affable Louis van Amstel for a dance partner. The former Hugh Hefner girlfriend starred in the E! reality series "The Girls Next Door" about Hefner and his three girlfriends living together in the Playboy Mansion. Holly Madison, one of the other girlfriends was a contestant in season 8 and was eliminated in week 3. Hopefully Kendra has a little more to offer.

Wendy Williams will be paired with veteran Tony Dovolani. The buxom 46-year old media personality is also a New York Times Bestselling author and has a daytime talk show.

Chelsea Kane a Disney star who made her screen debut in 2007 in "Bratz: The Movie" will receive excellent training provided by Mark Ballas. Ballas was paired with another Disney star, Sabrina Bryan in season 5. The pair had real chemistry on the dance floor until she was voted off in week 6 to the surprise of everyone. If Kane has half the rhythm Bryan did, it could be an interesting match.

Sugar Ray Leonard, the Light Welterweight Champion and Olympic Gold Medal boxer trades his boxing shoes for dance shoes. Leonard is 54 but has a competitive edge and Olympians have done well on DWTS.

Ralph Macchio is all grown up but most of us remember him from the original "Karate Kid" movies. The 49 year old television and movie actor has no known dance training.

Petra Nemcova is a model, television host, author and philanthropist. She is the founder of the Happy Hearts Fund, which works to "improve children's lives through educational and sustainable programs in natural disaster areas," according to her website.

Hines Ward, currently a wide receiver for the Pittsburg Steelers and MVP of Super Bowl XL, trades cleats for dance shoes. Training, determination and hard work are no strangers to Ward.

Mike Catherwood is a radio personality and co-host of the show "Loveline," a national call-in talk show. The 31-year-old has no known dance experience.

Source: Personal Viewing of the announcement