Now that 2017 has been around for two solid months, we all know what that means: a new season of Dancing with the Stars is just over the horizon. Thankfully, ABC kicked off March in the best way by revealing the full cast of stars and pro dancers that will be at the heart of Season 24, which kicks off later this month. Dancing with the Stars always has an eclectic assortment of athletes, reality stars and former spotlight-huggers, but this might be its best cast yet, with Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan leading the pack.
Nancy Kerrigan knows a thing or two about bringing style and finesse to competitions like this, and her partner Artem Chigvintsev has to feel good about their chances in Season 24. But they'll be facing a slew of other competitors that could easily step in and take the gold, and there's even another Olympian involved. Simone Biles, who became an international superstar during last year's Summer Games, will be partnered with Sasha Farber for the new season. Let's look at the full list below and then talk more about the rest.
Bonner Bolton with Sharna BurgessCharo with Keo MotsepeChris Kattan with Witney CarsonDavid Ross with Lindsay ArnoldErika Jayne with Gleb SavchenkoHeather Morris with Maksim ChmerkovskiyMr. T with Kym HerjavecNancy Kerrigan with Artem ChigvintsevNick Viall with Peta MurgatroydNormani Kordei with Valentin ChmerkovskiyRashad Jennings with Emma SlaterSimone Biles with Sasha Farber
Three more athletes are part of the pack as well, so we'll likely see smart conditioning at play. Retired World Series champ David Ross, who was part of last year's historic Chicago Cubs squad, will dance with Lindsay Arnold, while NFL safety Rashad Jennings is paired with Emma Slater. And then there's Bonner Bolton, a professional bull rider who shocked the world last year when he was paralyzed and, after being given a one percent chance to walk again, recovered fully after a spinal fusion. He's now a fashion model of the cowboy persuasion, and Dancing with the Stars certainly won't stop the 29 year old from taking over conversations.
And while five athletes came to compete, we've also got five actors making a splash in Season 24. Current Bachelor Nick Viall locked up his first follow-up gig, dancing with Peta Murgatroyd, and we'll also see former Love Boat familiar Charo, as well as Glee's Heather Morris and Saturday Night Live vet Chris Kattan. (Someone needs to make Will Ferrell show up one week for some Night at the Roxbury action.) Another familiar face we'll be seeing this season is the fool-pitying entertainer Mr. T., who will bring 64 years of badassery to the Dancing with the Stars floor. It might not be Olympic gold, but it's gold, baby.
To round things out, we have a couple of musicians in the group. (Some of the others above have been known for a song or two, but not in the same vein as these two.) Erika Jayne, who actually joined the reality TV world by joining The Real Housewives of Beverly Hill in 2015, is far more famous for a decade's worth of dance-pop hits, including the memorable "How Many Fucks." Finally, we have Normani Kordei, a member of one of the world's most popular girl groups, Fifth Harmony, who will go from winning tons of teen-friendly awards to primetime TV with Dancing with the Stars.
What do you guys think? Will this group top years past, or do we need Ryan Lochte back for more controversies? Let us know and don't forget to tune into Dancing with the Stars Season 24 when it premieres on ABC on Monday, March 20, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Head to our midseason premiere schedule to see what new shows you can do the foxtrot to in the coming months.
