The New Stars of ABC's Dancing with the Stars

Last fall, television audiences couldn't get enough of Mario, Emmitt and Joey as they slid across the dance floor of ABC's top rated reality series, Dancing with the Stars. On March 19th, season four debuts and with it, an entirely new cast of stars and a few new pros as well.

The question that many fans are asking: Will this season be able to top last season's explosive dances and competition? Here's a list of the newest stars to take on the pros this season. No doubt, you will be shocked at some of the newest celebrity contestants.

Laila Ali (Partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy) - This female boxer is the daughter of none other than famed heavyweight Muhammad Ali. Currently undefeated champion of the female boxing world, will her moves in the ring translate to the dance floor? Last season, her partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, was paired with pop songstress, Willa Ford, and though the pair was a favorite of the judges, they soon found themselves eliminated mid-competition. Laila's fierceness in the ring should serve her and Maksim well when the rehearsals become longer and the heat begins to rise.

Billy Ray Cyrus (Partner, Karina Smirnoff) - Last season, Smirnoff was paired with semi-finalist, Mario Lopez. Mario, a natural on the dance floor, wowed both judges and audiences, making it to the final round. However, Cyrus, most famous for the song everyone loves to hate, "Achy Breaky Heart," may prove to be a challenge for Smirnoff. Question is: can Cyrus keep up with the demanding and talented Smirnoff?

Clyde Drexler (Partner, Elena Grinenko) - This season, Dancing with the Stars features not one sports figure, but three. Drexler, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medalist, will join an ever increasing list of sports figures who have tried their hand at ballroom dancing via reality television. As has been proven in the past, sports fans present a united front when voting as was seen with NFL Wide Receiver, Jerry Rice. Rice, despite lackluster dancing abilities and low scores from the series judges, came close to taking the trophy in season two.

Joey Fatone (Partner, Kym Johnson) - Joey Fatone, former Nsync member and Broadway performer, may have the most experience when it comes to choreographed dancing. Johnson, a leggy blonde who frequently takes center stage in the pros ensemble performances on the series, was paired with underdog Jerry Springer last season. Fatone, with his familiarity of rigorous rehearsals and stage performances, may just be the one most likely to take home the title this season.

Shandi Finnessey (Partner, Brian Fortuna) - Finnessey, a former Miss. USA - is this season's resident beauty queen. Last season, Shanna Moakler, another former Miss USA, was eliminated early in round two. Finnessey's partner, Brian Fortuna, will be joining the series for the first time this season.

Leeza Gibbons (Partner, Tony Dovolani) - Talk show host Leeza Gibbons will be paired with Tony Dovolani this season. Last season, Dovolani's partner, Sara Evans, pulled out of the series before elimination after filing for divorce from her husband. Hopefully, Dovolani will have a bit more luck with Gibbons and be able to finish out the competition this season.

Heather Mills (Partner, Jonathan Roberts) - Perhaps there's no bigger surprise when it comes to the contestants of this season than Heather Mills. Former model and ex-wife of Paul McCartney, Mills had to have her left leg amputated below the knee following being hit by a police motorcycle in 1993. This disadvantage is already being brought to the forefront of ABC's promotional campaign in which her partner, Jonathan Roberts, is seen holding and examining her prosthetic leg.

Apolo Anton Ohno (Partner, Julianne Hough) - The third sports figure in this season's line-up, Ohno is a five-time Olympic gold medalist. Known for his speed skating, the question is: will Ohno be able to bring his skilled footwork to the dance floor? This is Hough's first Dancing with the Star's appearance.

Paulina Porizkova (Partner, Alec Mazo) - A former supermodel, Paulina will be partnered with season one champion, Alec Mazo. Mazo turned soap actress Kelly Monaco into a dancing superstar. Whether or not Mazo can work the same magic with Porizkova will ultimately depend on her determination to work with the show's strenuous rehearsal schedule.

John Ratzenberger (Partner, Edyta Sliwinska) - Ratzenberger, formerly "Cliff" on the popular 80s sitcom, Cheers, is actually a last minute replacement for Vincent Pastore of The Sopranos. Sliwinska was partnered with Joey Lawrence last season, who landed in the final three. Will Ratzenberger be this season's Springer?

Ian Ziering (Partner, Cheryl Burke) - Ziering is best known as a member of the 90210 pack, playing Steve Sanders, boyfriend of Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth). Ziering's partner, Cheryl Burke, is a two-time consecutive Dancing with the Stars champion. Many fans expected Burke to be paired with the perceived underdog of the show (which, in this case, would most likely have been Ratzenberger) following her consecutive wins. However, Burke seems to stand a good chance of taking home the title once again if Ziering holds up his end of the deal.

Two of the series' pros will not be returning this season. Louis Van Amstel has pulled out of this season and doesn't seem to be in any hurry to state his return for subsequent seasons. Last season, Amstel was paired with female favorite, Monique Coleman.

Also not returning this season will be Harry Hamlin's partner from last season, Ashly DelGrosso. However, DelGrosso may be returning in upcoming seasons as her reasons for opting out of this season were due to her pregnancy.

Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli will also be returning to judge this season.

Last season's Dancing with the Stars was so explosive with amazing dancing, scandals and rumored behind-the-scenes romances that it will surely be a difficult season to top. Can Billy Ray Cyrus possibly be the next Mario Lopez? Many fans have their doubts, but the only way to truly find out is by tuning in on March 19th. May the best dancers win.