Written by Lauren Sher
"Dancing With The Stars" returns for its 18th season and the new crop of celebrity competitors may be the fiercest yet.
Fresh off their gold-medal win at the Sochi Olympics, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, the dynamic ice dancing duo, headline the all-star lineup, along with "The Wonder Years" star Danica McKellar, comedian turned game show host Drew Carey, swimming legend Diana Nyad, and acting great Billy Dee Williams.
Former "Full House" actress Candace Cameron Bure, "Real Housewives" reality star NeNe Leakes, Australian pop singer Cody Simpson, and "Big Time Rush" actor-singer James Maslow are among the other celebs with their eyes set on the prized mirrorball trophy.
In two "Dancing" firsts, double-amputee snowboarding champ Amy Purdy, who lost both of her legs as a teenager and pushed to become a world-champion adaptive snowboarder, will be the first Paralympian to compete. Sean Avery is the first former hockey player in "Dancing" history.
In another surprise, pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, the bad boy of the ballroom and favorite, will return after sitting out last season to much fanfare to dance with Davis.
The hit ABC show is shaking things up, from the replacement of host Brooke Burke-Charvet with sports host Erin Andrews, to the announcement of an unprecedented format in which viewers can vote to switch celebrities and their pro partners mid-season.
The entire celebrity cast was announced live today on "Good Morning America" from Glendale, Calif., ahead of the March 17 premiere. Tom Bergeron and new co-host Erin Andrews unveiled the celebrities and their professional partners, including reigning season 17 pro champ Derek Hough who will dance with Purdy, and beloved veterans Cheryl Burke, Mark Ballas, Karina Smirnoff, Tony Dovolani, Val Chmerkovskiy and more.
Watch the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars," Monday, March 17, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
For more information on how to book Candace Cameron Bure for your next event, visit premierespeakers.com/candace_cameron.
Source: Good Morning America