ABC announces ninth 'Dancing with the Star' cast

Donny Osmond

Credit: Peter Kramer/AP

ABC has announced the cast for the ninth season of "Dancing with the Stars," an oddball group that includes two Grammy winners, an NFL Hall of Famer, an Osmond, an Osbourne and former House Majority Leader Tom Delay.

The new "Dancing with the Stars" season will premiere on ABC on Monday, Sept. 21 and Tuesday, Sept. 22, with two-hour episodes. The season's first elimination episode will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Without further ado, the "Dancing with the Stars" contestants announced during Monday (Aug. 17) morning's "Good Morning America" are:

*** Aaron Carter -- Younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, Aaron Carter has gone triple-platinum as a solo recording artist. He's been seen on TV shows including "7th Heaven" and "Lizzie McGuire," while his family was the focus of the E! realist series "House of Carters."

*** Natalie Coughlin -- At the 2008 Olympics, versatile swimmer Natalie Coughlin became the first American female athlete to win six medals at a single Olympiad, giving her a total of 11 Olympic medals. 

*** Mark Dacascos -- Although Mark Dacascos' movie credits include "Brotherhood of the Wolf," "Only the Strong" and "Cradle to the Grave," he's perhaps best known as The Chairman on Food Network's "Iron Chef America."

*** Tom Delay -- Nicknamed "The Hammer" -- so ABC publicity notes tell us -- Tom Delay was first elected to Congress in 1984, serving as Majority Whip and later Majority Leader. In 2005, DeLay was indicted on criminal charges that he had conspired to violate campaign finance laws, a controversy that eventually led him not to seek reelection, though he has never faced a jury on the charges.

*** Macy Gray -- Gravel-voiced chanteuse Macy Gray has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and been nominated for five Grammys. She's also appeared in films including "Spider-Man" and "Training Day." Plus, now you can have "I Try" stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

*** Ashley Hamilton -- Ashley Hamilton is credited in his bio as an actor, songwriter and comedian, but mostly he's George Hamilton's son.

*** Melissa Joan Hart -- Depending on your point of reference, Melissa Joan Hart is either best known for "Clarissa Exlains It All" or "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." You may have also seen her in any number of Lifetime and ABC Family movies.

*** Kathy Ireland -- In addition to being a former supermodel and one of the most popular Sports Illustrated swimsuit models of all-time, Kathy Ireland is the CEO of kathy ireland Worldwide, which ABC press notes describe as a $.14 billion dollar design editor. We'll always think of her as the star of the football epic "Necessary Roughness."

*** Michael Irvin -- One of the NFL's legendary wide receivers and member of the Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl-winning dynasty of the '90s, Michael Irvin was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2007. His acting credits include the feature "The Longest Yard," plus USA's "Burn Notice."

*** Joanna Krupa -- ABC is convinced Joanna Krupa is a star. Earlier this summer, she appeared opposite Terrell Owens on "The Superstars." In reality, she's a model and occasional actress.

*** Chuck Liddell -- A former Ultimate Fighting Championship light-heavyweight belt-holder, The Iceman has been competing in UFC since 1998. If you aren't a UFC fan, you may remember him from a guest appearance on "Entourage," back when "Entourage" was occasionally still funny.

*** Debi Mazar -- Speaking of "Entourage," Debi Mazar plays publicist Shauna on the unkillable HBO hit. Mazar's other acting credits include "Goodfellas," "The Insider," "Empire Records" and "Bullets Over Broadway."

*** Mya -- A Grammy winner and "Chicago" co-star, Mya seems to need a record label, which must be why ABC is boasting that "her fourth and fifth studio albums, 'Liberation' and 'Sugar & Spice,' respectively, have been released in Japan."

*** Kelly Osbourne -- Daughter of Sharon and Ozzy and star of "The Osbournes," Kelly Osbourne has released several albums and done theater and radio work in England. Avid ABC viewers will remember her from her brief stint on the network's "Life As We Know It."

*** Donny Osmond - Since sister Marie Osmond had a long "Dancing with the Stars" run, Donny Osmond has a lot to live up to. Currently performing at the Flamingo in Las Vegas with Marie, Donny Osmond's career has included TV, Broadway, movies, best-selling books and even, ABC tells us, a time as a champion race car driver.

*** Louie Vito - According to ABC, Louie Vito is a professional snowboarder. Without ABC's instruction, we confess we might not have known who he was. Instead, now we know he specializes in both Pipe and Slopestyle disciplines and that he's favored to make the 2010 Olympic team.

Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

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A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.