'Dancing with the Stars' reveals the first 8 pro dancers to star on Season 23

Dancing with the Stars has revealed eight of the 13 professional partners who will be competing on Season 23 this fall.


The eight pros announced Tuesday on Good Morning America were veterans Val Chmerkovskiy, Witney Carson, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Lindsay Arnold, Allison Holker, Sasha Farber and Gleb Savchenko.

Holker is returning to Dancing with the Stars after giving birth to a baby boy in March, her first child with husband Stephen "tWitch" Boss.

The 13 celebrity contestants and remaining five pros will officially be announced August 30 on ABC's Good Morning America.

"It's going to be amazing. We're going to have an incredible cast as always," Chmerkovskiy said on GMA of the upcoming season. "But I'm also excited for the pros. We have a lot of different pros coming back. Some pros from back, back in the day, coming back maybe, so I'm excited."


In addition to Chmerkovskiy checking in, the morning show also aired a special preview clip of the Season 23 pro dancers performing a routine together. However, it's difficult to discern all of the dancers' identities.

"It's a new show," Chmerkovskiy added. "It's constantly evolving and we have a nice mix and balance of young kids that are inspired and very motivated to bring out the essence of this generation, but also we have some more classic, conservative dancers from the past as well."

Chmerkovskiy revealed he has yet to start rehearsing with his new celebrity partner, however, she'll have "big shoes to fill" after GMA meteorologist Ginger Zee. He called Zee a "tough act to follow."

Fan-favorite Peta Murgatroyd, a two-time mirrorball trophy champion, will not be in the mix next season considering she's expecting her first child with fiance Maksim Chmerkovskiy, an occasional DWTS guest judge and former pro.

Rumored celebrity participants currently include The Bachelorette star JoJo Fletcher, Olympic champion Simone Biles and Disney star Jake T. Austin.


Dancing with the Stars is set to premiere Monday, September 12 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski