As Dancing With the Stars season 21 news continues to break, your head may be spinning like a mirrorball trying to keep up. To connect the dots on your dance card, we’ve compiled this up-t0-the-minute recap.
The Pros:
The first news out of the DWTS camp was the lineup of pros—including some surprise returning faces: Karina Smirnoff will return after taking a season off, as will last year’s winning pro Val Chmerkovskiy, Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Artem Chigvintsev, Allison Holker, Sharna Burgess, Peta Murgatroyd and Witney Carson.
The Judges:
With the announcement of Len Goodman’s absence this season, many fans expressed their concern for the future of the judges’ table. “Len will not be returning as a judge this season on Dancing with the Stars due to his schedule as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing in the U.K. and the birth of his new grandson,” executive producer Rob Wade told People. “He still might be involved in the season at some capacity, but we will have to wait and see.” Wade also promised “great guest judges for some shows” to join Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Julianne Hough.
The Stars:
Bindi Irwin, the 17-year-old daughter of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, was the first cast member announced, followed by American Pharaoh jockey Victor Espinoza, Backstreet Boy Nick Carter and Vine sensation Hayes Grier. Rumor has it Paula Deen and Chaka Khan will also join the cast for season 21, but ABC has not confirmed their appearances.
Season 21 of Dancing With the Stars will premiere on Sept. 14 on ABC. The full cast (along with their pro pairings) will be announced on Good Morning America Sept. 2.
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