Dancing with the Stars shocked a lot of audience members ahead of Season 29 by announcing that longtime hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were exiting the show, with the later news that Tyra Banks would be serving as the new host for the future, as well as taking on executive producer duties behind the scenes. Thankfully, fans don't have to worry about the show changing the way it goes about bringing in its celebrities. The new batch of stars and pros for the upcoming season has been revealed, and there are quite a few whoppers in the bunch. (Though no Dr. Fauci, so no worries there.)
It looks like the rumors were true, with Tiger King subject and animal activist Carole Baskin joining Dancing with the Stars for Season 29. She'll be joining the already announced pop star AJ McLean and a slew of other musicians, TV stars and athletes. Check out the full list below, which was first revealed on Good Morning America.
Monica Aldama - Netflix's CheerCarole Baskin - Netflix's Tiger KingKaitlyn Bristowe - ABC's The BacheloretteVernon Davis - NFL VetAnne Heche - NBC's Chicago P.D.Skai Jackson - Disney Channel's Bunk'dJustina Machado - Pop's One Day at a TimeJeannie Mai - The Real hostAJ McLean - Backstreet Boys memberJesse Metcalfe - Hallmark's Chesapeake StoriesNelly - Grammy-Winning RapperCharles Oakley - NBA VetNev Schulman - MTV's Catfish: The TV ShowChrishell Stause - Netflix's Selling SunsetJohnny Wier - Olympic Figure Skater
Even though Disney star Skai Jackson is part of the crew, one could almost wish that Dancing with the Stars would switch up their Disney Night to bring in a Netflix Night to bring out some Tiger King and Cheer-themed performances. (Or perhaps Stranger Things or Umbrella Academy?) Justina Machado might not enjoy that so much, seeing as how Netflix cancelled One Day at a Time ahead of its pickup at Pop, but still.
It should be interesting to see how well Kaitlyn Bristowe does throughout the season, considering fellow Bachelorette alum Hannah Brown won Season 28's Mirrorball trophy. And I mean, who doesn't want to watch Nelly getting down with some ballroom dancing?
And here's the full list of dancing pros that will be gracing the Dancing with the Stars stage for Season 29.
Brandon ArmstrongAlan BerstenSharna BurgessCheryl BurkeArtem ChigvintsevVal ChmerkovskiySasha FarberJenna JohnsonDaniella KaragachKeo MotsepePeta MurgatroydPasha PashkovGleb SavchenkoEmma SlaterBritt Stewart
Woohoo! Though Witney Carson was fine with sitting out this next season, this list of pros still features lots of faves. We have Artem Chigvintsev's highly awaited return, along with that of the now-blonde Sharna Burgess. Last year's pro winner Alan Bersten is back, and fans will get to see Dancing with the Stars' first black female pro dancer, Britt Stewart.
Fans can tune in to see all these celebs waltzing, jitterbugging and tapping to their hearts' content when Dancing with the Stars returns to ABC for Season 29 starting on Monday, September 14, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
