The stars are aligning for season 31 ofDancing with the Stars!
On Thursday, ABC and Disney+ announced the latest celebrity cast members who will compete on the upcoming season of the reality dance competition show onGood Morning America— and the list does not disappoint!
The cast includesThe Real Housewives of New JerseystarTeresa Giudicewith partner Pasha Pashkov, actor and comedianWayne Bradywith partner Witney Carson, actressSelma Blairwith partnerSasha Farber,Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son and fitness modelJoseph Baenawith partnerDaniella Karagach, andJersey ShorestarVinny Guadagninowith partner Koko Iwasaki.
Teresa Giudice, Wayne Brady and Selma Blair.getty (3)
TikTok starCharli D’Amelioand her momHeidi D’Ameliowill also compete on the series, thoughnews of their casting was announced on Wednesday. Charli will be partnered withMark Ballaswhile her mom is paired withArtem Chigvintsev. They will be the first mother-daughter pair ever to compete onDWTS.
Like in previous seasons,Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli,Derek HoughandCarrie Ann Inabawill return to their seats on the judging panel.
Heidi and Charli D’Amelio.Good Morning America/Twitter
TheGood Morning Americateam spoke with the new cast about their hopes for the upcoming season.Jersey Shore’sGuadagnino hopes to leave his fist-pumping days behind — or, at least, evolve his clubbing skills. “I don’t know how fist pumping and ballroom goes together, but I’m gonna make it work,” he said.
Cruel Intentionsstar Blair admitted she’s never danced in a partner dance. The actress — who wasdiagnosed with MSin 2018 — also opened up about her excitement for the show as she continues her health journey. “I am beyond thrilled,” she said. “Realizing the support of people, when you try, it’s changed my life. So, to be here with this group — people I’ve never even met — this is a thrill. This is so powerful to me.”
RHONJ’sGiudice said she’s also never taken part in a partner dance. She also revealed she’s taken advice from her youngest daughter Audriana, who is a dancer. “She’s like ‘Mommy, don’t be scared. Have fun, most important, have fun. Feel your partner’s energy, and dance like it’s your last time dancing,'” she shared.
CODAstar Durant, who is deaf, said he feels at home “on stage,” though dancing will be out of his comfort zone. “It new — the dancing part. I’ve been on broadway, I’ve done choreography, but, you’re not dancing with a partner. Like [Blair] just said, you have to dance match your partner, and I’m looking forward to it,” he signed.
In April,Varietyconfirmedthat the dancing competition willhead to Disney+, making it the first live series to stream on the service.
“Dancing with the Starshas entertained fans for 16 years on ABC, and we are excited to bring this beloved show exclusively to Disney+ as the platform’s first-ever live series,” Kareem Daniel, chairman, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, said at the time. “The show’s broad appeal, as well as the overwhelming popularity of its Disney-themed competition nights, make Disney+ the perfect home for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ while continuing to expand our demographic reach.”
“I’m super excited,” Ribeiro told PEOPLE ahead of the announcement. “For me to be asked now to co-host with Tyra, and be part of the great crew and dancers and friends … to be able to be on stage with them and to be part of that family again, is quite special for me.”
“My goal is to bring back a sense of the happy and the fun, and the family atmosphere, that this show has always felt like for me,” he added. “I want to become friends with all of the contestants this year, and allow myself to kind of be able to really just sit and talk with them. And after their dance, I want to get honest, and true feelings from them and make people laugh and make people smile again. I feel like sometimes it gets a little serious and while it needs to be that also, it also needs to be light and fun and cheery.”
“Last nights shoot for @dancingwiththestars was EPIC!!! Can’t believe we had the whole park to ourselves, can’t wait for everyone to see what we where filming! And yes that’s the Disney castle behind me how cool is that!! 🙌🏻,” longtime pro Sasha Farber wrote.
“Oh hey fam👋 Here’s some BTS from our @dancingwiththestars S31 promo shoot🤩 Who’s excited for the new season?!?! Any ideas on the cast? LMK🤩,” pro and reigning mirrorball champion Daniella Karagach wrote on Instagram.
“Who’s ready for season 31 of @dancingwiththestars !!!!,” Alan Bersten shared.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Season 31 ofDancing with the Starspremieres Sept. 19 on Disney+.
source: people.com
