Dancing With the Stars 2011 Cast Tinged with Controversy

The Dancing With the Stars 2011 cast features some controversy figures.

The celebrities for the dancing show include Chaz Bono, Ron Artest, Elisabetta Canalis, Hope Solo, David Arquette, Rob Kardashian, Kristin Cavallari, Nancy Grace, Chynna Phillips, J.R. Martinez, and Carson Kressley.

The Controversial

Chaz Bono - Bono was born the only child of celebrities Sonny Bono and Cher. He was born female in 1969, came out as a lesbian in 1995, underwent gender changing surgery to become a man in 2008, and changed his name and gender in 2010.

Long an advocated for the lesbian and transgender community, Bono is now arguably the most visible transgender person in the world.

Ron Artest - Artest is an NBA basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers. Although he's been relatively clean lately, he had a history of bad behavior in the NBA.

On November 19, 2004, his hard-foul on Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace sparked an infamous brawl during which he crossed over to the audience stands and after which he was suspended for 86 games.

After the 2004 incident, he had several smaller confrontations against opponent players.

In 2008, he said I'm still ghetto. That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture.

Nancy Grace - Grace is a legal commentator on her show Nancy Grace. She has been criticized for her prodding interview with kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart and her premature condemnation of Duke Lacrosse players who were ultimately deemed not guilty, among other things.

Law professor Jonathan Turley of George Washington said Grace has managed to demean the professions of journalism and law with her hype, rabid persona, and sensational analysis.

The Darlings

Hope Solo - Solo plays for the magicJack U.S. soccer team and is the goalkeeper of the US Women's Soccer team, which came in second at the Women's World Cup in 2011. Solo is a fan-favorite.

She has a fan Web site and has over 700,000 likes on her Facebook page.

J.R. Martinez - Martinez, a former solider deployed in Iraq, suffered severe burns after his Humvee hit a landmine. He now serves as a motivational speaker and has appeared on some of the biggest U.S. media platforms, including The Oprah Winfrey Show and 60 Minutes.

The Lukewarm

Elisabetta Canalis - Italian actress, former girlfriend of George Clooney

David Arquette - Longtime actor, known for playing Dewey Riley in the Scream series and his brief pro wrestling career

Rob Kardashian - Model and younger brother of socialite Kim Kardashian

Chynna Phillips - Longtime singer and actress, member of vocal group Wilson Phillips

Carson Kressley - Fashion expert on Queer Eye, an occasional actor

Kristin Cavallari - Starred in Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, former fiancé of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler