'Dancing with the Stars' 2011 -- Season 12 Cast Revealed

Big news for "Dancing With The Stars" fanatics: ABC revealed the 11-celebrity 2011 lineup for Season 12 during the broadcast of "The Bachelor" on Monday, Feb. 28. Kirstie Alley, Chris Jericho, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Kendra Wilkinson spearhead the latest group of actors, sports personalities, models, and entertainers of various sorts that make up the average lineup on the popular dance competition reality show. And, like all the previous seasons before it, the current cast of "DWTS" also has a few names that do not have that ring of familiarity.

The Season 12 cast is one person smaller than in Season 11, but the roster looks to be another strong contender for ratings. The ever-popular Kirstie Alley, late of Weight Watchers fame (and infamy) and most likely remembered most for her role on the hit 1980's sitcom "Cheers" and her many movie roles ("Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn" and "Look Who's Talking"), might be this year's most awarded star. Alley has amassed a Golden Globe and two Emmys over her acting career. She has also forayed into the reality show genre as well.

As for reality show stars, not many get as big as Kendra Wilkinson, the former (current?) Playboy model who became famous for her work on E! Television's "Girls Next Door" and her own spin-off "Kendra." She has become a household name due to her show, a high profile wedding to pro footballer Hank Baskett, and a couple of sex tape scandals.

But it doesn't get more real than talk show hosting. The 2011 cast has two such hosts with Wendy Williams, the popular television talk show host, and Mike Catherwood, radio talk show personality most famous for his work on "Loveline."

The usual sports personalities in the lineup are represented this season by retired world champion boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and the Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward.

Every season has its singers. Season 12's is Romeo. Known for his rap music, he is also an actor and a sports drink and clothing line entrepreneur. Romeo withdrew from "Dancing With The Stars" during Season 2 due to an injury. He's the first contestant to ever withdraw and return to compete again.

Every cast (for the most part) has a rock star. Season 12 comes close. There is no doubt that WWE wrestler Chris Jericho has attained rock star status by his imposing presence in the wrestling ring. Still, Jericho also fronts his own heavy metal band, Fozzy.

And what would a season of "DWTS" be without a supermodel? 2011's beautiful people rep is Petra Nemcova, 2004's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model. Nemcova made international headlines in 2004 when she and her boyfriend were swept up in the massive Sumatran earthquake and tsunami that killed over 230,000 people in numerous countries. Her boyfriend, Simon Atlee, drowned in the tsunami. Nemcova suffered a broken pelvis, which could have an effect on her dancing in the competition.

Two other actors join Kirstie Alley and Romeo in the ranks of "DWTS" this season as well. Ralph Macchio, who starred in '80s hit movies like "The Karate Kid" and "The Outsiders," will appear alongside up-and-coming Disney Channel actress Chelsea Kane, most famous for her role as Stella Malone on "Jonas L.A."

The 11 celebrity contestants will face off for the first time with their professional dance partners on March 21 on ABC. The first elimination will occur on March 29. Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke return as hosts for Season 12, although two of the professional dancers will not (Derek Hough and Damian Whitewood). The judges panel will be filled by returning panelists Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman.

Professional partners for the celebrities will be announced March 2.

Dancing With The Stars 2011 Cast

Kirstie Alley
Chris Jericho
Romeo
Chelsea Kane
Wendy Williams
Kendra Wilkinson
Sugar Ray Leonard
Mike Catherwood
Hines Ward
Ralph Macchio
Petra Nemcova

******

Source:

"'Dancing With the Stars' Season 12 New Cast Revealed," ABCNews.go.com