ABC has revealed the identities of the 12 celebrities who will be waltzing their way into primetime when Dancing with the Stars' sixth season premieres with a 90-minute performance episode on Monday, March 17 at 8PM ET/PT.
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The sixth-season celebrity cast announcement was made by a trio of former Dancing with the Stars second-season contestants -- tenth-place finisher Kenny Mayne, fourth-place finisher Lisa Rinna, and runner-up Jerry Rice -- during last night's live Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Anne finale broadcast on ABC.
The 12 celebrity two-steppers who will compete for Dancing with the Stars' sixth-season mirror ball trophy are actor and R&B singer Mario Barrett; radio personality and former The Man Show co-host Adam Carolla; telenovela actor and ABC-billed "Latin American heartthrob" Christian de la Fuente; American Pie actress Shannon Elizabeth; Penn & Teller: Bullshit! magician Penn Jillette; Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin; actress and Elvis ex-wife Priscilla Presley; nine-time Grand Slam winning professional tennis player Monica Seles; popular 1980s actor Steve Guttenberg; NFL star Jason Taylor; Tony Award-winning actress Marissa Jaret Winokur; and Olympic gold medalist figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.
"Oh my God! Talk about diversity," Dancing with the Stars judge and Dance War coach gushed Bruno Tonioli following the cast announcement.
"Well that makes it more interesting," agreed fellow Dancing judge and Dance War coach Carrie Ann Inaba. "Because you never know what's going to happen. It's unpredictable that way."
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"But did you notice all the men have huge feet?" Tonioii asked Inaba.
"Yes I did," answered Inaba.
"I hope they can use it well, I'll tell you that," replied Tonioli.
"It's a family show," said Dance War host and Dancing with the Stars second-season champ Drew Lachey.
The celebrities' professional partners will be revealed Tuesday -- however they won't include Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Chmerkovskiy reportedly "just needs a break" and is skipping Dancing with the Stars' Spring 2008 installment.
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Following Dancing with the Stars' March 17 premiere in its regular Mondays at 8PM ET/PT time period, ABC will then air Dancing with the Stars' first sixth-season results show broadcast on March 25 in its regular Tuesdays at 9PM ET/PT time slot.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio