Meet The 'Dancing With The Stars' 2022 Cast, Contestant Refresher Before Season 31 Premiere
Another year has come and gone, and fans are all set to watch the return of "Dancing With the Stars" when it debuts on its new home, Disney+, in one short week.
The series is returning for its 31st season, the first of at least two that will air live on the streaming service and marking the first time the long-running show has not aired on ABC. It will once again be a landmark season as it will be the first live show to air on the streaming service, and will also see the return of a format featuring two hosts, with Alfonso Ribeiro appearing alongside Tyra Banks, who became solo host in Season 29 when she took over for Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews.
In addition, the show will also be welcoming back two pros who fans had not seen for several seasons. Mark Ballas, who last competed during Season 25 with Lindsey Stirling, and Louis Van Amstel, who last appeared in Season 21 with Paula Deen, are making their returns. However, several other pros who have been well-loved in recent seasons will be sitting this one out. Sharna Burgess, who welcomed her first child earlier this year, won't be participating, and Lindsay Arnold has also opted to sit the season out, citing spending time with her family. Jenna Johnson will also be taking the season off as she is expecting her first child with fellow pro Val Chmerkovskiy.
So who are the 16 teams who have signed on for this landmark season? Here's everything you need to know about the teams making up this year's cast.
1. Joseph Baena and Daniella Karagach:
Baena, 24, is a fitness model and actor who is best known as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mildred Baena, and was conceived while his father was still married to Maria Shriver; Karagach, 29, is competing for the third time and is the current reigning champ, after winning Season 30 with Iman Shumpert.
2. Selma Blair and Sasha Farber:
Blair, 50, is an actress known for her roles in movies like "Legally Blonde" and "Cruel Intentions," who revealed she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018; Farber, 38, is competing on the show for the 10th time.
3. Wayne Brady and Witney Carson:
Brady, 50, is a comedian and actor who is well-known for also hosting "Let's Make A Deal" on CBS; Carson, 28, won the show with new co-host Alfonso Ribeiro in Season 19, and is returning for her 13th run.
4. Sam Champion and Cheryl Burke, #TeamThunderfromDownUnder:
Champion, 61, is a meteorologist and anchor known for his work on both WABC-TV New York and "Good Morning America;" Burke, 38, was the first pro to ever win back-to-back Mirrorballs in Seasons 2 and 3 and is dancing for the 26th time on the show.
5. Charli D'Amelio and Mark Ballas:
D'Amelio, 18, is best known as one of the most popular TikTok influencers of all time; Ballas, who is returning after taking five seasons off, has previously won the Mirrorball twice.
6. Heidi D'Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev:
Heidi, 50, is Charli D'Amelio's mother, and will be the first mom to compete against her daughter on the show; Chigvintsev, 40, won the Mirrorball with Kaitlyn Bristowe in Season 29.
7. Jessie James Decker and Alan Bersten:
Decker, 34, is a country singer; Bersten, 28, won the Mirrorball in Season 28 with Hannah Brown.
8. Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater:
Donovan, 43, is an actor who is known for roles on shows like "90210," as well as hallmark movies; Slater, 33, is competing for the 14th time and won the Mirrorball in Season 24 with Rashad Jennings.
9. Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart:
Durant, 32, is best known for his starring role in the Oscar-winning film "CODA;" Stewart, 31, is competing for the third time on the show.
10. Teresa Giudice and Pasha Pashkov:
Giudice, 50, is best known for "Real Housewives of New Jersey;" Pashkov, 36, is competing on the show for the fourth time.
11. Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki:
Guadagnino, 34, is best known for "Jersey Shore" and other reality series; Iwasaki, 25, is a first-time pro dancer on the show.
12. Cheryl Ladd and Louis Van Amstel:
Ladd, 71, is best known for her role on "Charlie's Angels;" Van Amstel, 50, is making his return to the ballroom after a 10-season absence.
13. Jason Lewis and Peta Murgatroyd:
Lewis, 51, is best known for his role as "Smith" on "Sex and the City;" Murgatroyd, 36, is a previous two-time champion who won in Seasons 14 and 22 with Donald Driver and Nyle DiMarco.
14. Shangela and Gleb Savchenko:
Shangela, 40, is a drag queen known for runs on "RuPaul's Drag Race;" Savchenko, 38, is returning for his 10th try at the Mirrorball. The pair are making history as the first male/male pairing, though Shangela is competing in drag throughout the show.
15. Jordin Sparks and Brandon Armstrong:
Sparks, 32, is a singer and actress who rose to fame after winning Season 6 of "American Idol;" Armstrong is returning for his fourth season.
16. Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy:
Windey, 31, is best known as one of the co-leads of Season 19 of "The Bachelorette;" Chmerkovskiy is a two-time Mirrorball champ returning for the 19th time.
"Dancing With the Stars" Season 31 premieres Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. EDT on Disney+.
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