“Dancing with the Stars” announced its season 29 celebrities on September 2. So who are the contestants vying for the Mirror Ball Trophy when the season premieres on September 14? Scroll down to see the complete list.
You’ve always got to watch out for athletes, who have a long tradition of winning “DWTS.” Super Bowl champion Vernon Davis is hoping to become the fifth NFL star to take home the grand prize, following Emmitt Smith, Hines Ward, Donald Driver and Rashad Jennings. But coming from such a strong tradition of gridiron dancers can be a double-edged sword because it raises expectations from the very beginning.
Also with high expectations will be Johnny Weir, a figure skater who won three US Nationals titles, medaled once at the World Championships and competed at the Olympics twice. He would be the fourth figure skater to prevail on “DWTS,” following Kristi Yamaguchi, Meryl Davis and Adam Rippon. It’s no surprise skaters have done so well on the show since they’re already experienced with choreography and musical interpretation.
But there are some left-field choices in this year’s cast too, not the least of which is Carole Baskin, the animal rights activist depicted in the documentary series “Tiger King” as the suspected murderer of her first husband. That makes this nothing if not an eclectic cast. So who are you rooting for this season? Is there anyone you’re rooting against? Meet all 15 celebs entering the ballroom below.
-
Monica Aldama
Image Credit: Netflix She’s a cheerleading coach featured in the Netflix reality series “Cheer.”
-
Carole Baskin
Image Credit: Netflix She’s a controversial animal rights activist featured in the Netflix documentary series “Tiger King.”
-
Kaitlyn Bristowe
Image Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin She was featured in the 19th season of “The Bachelor” and then she was the star of the 11th season of “The Bachelorette.”
-
Vernon Davis
Image Credit: Terence Patrick/CBS The NFL star (pictured above left with James Corden) won Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos.
-
Anne Heche
Image Credit: Jeff Riedel/NBC The Emmy and Tony nominated actress is known for a wide range of films like “Donnie Brasco” “Wag the Dog” and “Six Days, Seven Nights,” plus TV shows including “Men in Trees” and “Hung.”
-
Skai Jackson
Image Credit: Disney Channel/Image Group LA The 18-year-old Disney Channel actress is this season’s youngest contestant. She appeared in the series “Jessie” and “Bunk’d.”
-
Justina Machado
Image Credit: Mike Yarish/Netflix She’s the star of the Pop TV comedy series “One Day at a Time,” for which she was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award. She previously won a SAG Award with the cast of “Six Feet Under.”
-
Jeannie Mai
Image Credit: ABC/Christopher Willard She’s a Daytime Emmy winner as a co-host of the talk show “The Real.” She’s also a correspondent on the extreme mini golf competition series “Holey Moley.”
-
AJ McLean
Image Credit: Buchan/Variety AJ McLean is a Grammy nominated singer known for being a member of the Backstreet Boys.
-
Jesse Metcalfe
Image Credit: Katie Jones/WWD The actor is known for his roles in “Desperate Housewives,” “Dallas” and recently the “Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries.”
-
Nelly
Image Credit: Steve Eichner/WWD The Grammy winning rapper is known for his hit songs including “Hot In Herre” and “Dilemma.”
-
Charles Oakley
Image Credit: Todd Matarazzo/WWD The legendary NBA player played professional basketball for 19 years, most of which were with the New York Knicks. The Knicks made the playoffs every year he was with them.
-
Nev Schulman
Image Credit: Paige Kindlick for Hollywood Life He is best known for the 2010 documentary “Catfish,” which was subsequently made into an MTV series that he hosted.
-
Chrishell Stause
Image Credit: MEGA TheMegaAgency.com The Daytime Emmy nominated actress is known for her roles in “All My Children” and “Days of Our Lives,” and she stars in the Netflix series “Selling Sunset.”
-
Johnny Weir
Image Credit: ABC/Lou Rocco The American figure skater was a three-time US nationals champion, two-time Olympian and one-time world mendalist. He has since become known as a skating commentator with Tara Lipinski.
