‘DWTS’ reveals new cast as Maks confirms he’s out
D.L. Hughley, Jacoby Jones,
“Dancing with the Stars” took a bit of a stumble last fall with its “All-Stars” season. Ratings for the November finale fell 27 percent from the fall 2011 season closer, and ABC even admitted that the gimmick may have driven viewers away.
For its 16th season, the show is going back to its roots. Eleven new contestants, whose names were revealed Tuesday on “Good Morning America,” will take to the dance floor when the new round of “DWTS” premieres March 18.
So who will be hoofing it up next month?
Wynonna Judd: The country music star said on “GMA” that “DWTS” has tried to recruit her for the last six years.
D.L. Hughley: The comic and former CNN host is a member of “The Original Kings of Comedy.”
Jacoby Jones: You might recall that the Baltimore Ravens receiver returned the opening kickoff of the second half of Super Bowl 47 for a 108-yard touchdown, tying an NFL record that he set last October.
Lisa Vanderpump: The London-born restaurateur is already a reality star thanks to Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and the spinoff, “Vanderpump Rules.”
Andy Dick: The comedian and actor is looking to bounce back.
Victor Ortiz: Considered one of the top welterweight boxers in the world, Ortiz is a former WBC welterweight champion. He lost that title to former “DWTS” contestant Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2012.
Zendaya Coleman: The 16-year-old star of Disney Channel’s “Shake It Up” looks to follow in the footsteps of co-star Roshon Fegan, who finished sixth in the 14th season of “DWTS.”
Aly Raisman: The gold-medal gymnast looks to match the success of Shawn Johnson, who won the eighth season of “DWTS” and finished second in “All-Stars.”
Ingo Rademacher: The German-born actor has played Jasper “Jax” Jacks on ABC’s “General Hospital” since 1996.
Kellie Pickler: The former roller-skating waitress is the first “American Idol” contestant to compete on “DWTS.” The country crooner finished sixth on the fifth season of “Idol.”
Dorothy Hamill: The figure skating legend won Olympic gold in 1976 and continues to be a mentor to younger skaters.
The show also revealed some changes to its dance pro lineup, as popular pros Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Anna Trebunskaya and Chelsie Hightower won’t be competing this season. Among the new pros unveiled was former “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant Lindsay Arnold.
Maks hinted that he wasn’t going to return to “DWTS” last fall, and he issued a statement on Tuesday confirming his departure and thanking the show and his fans.
“I just want to set the record straight to all of my amazing fans that I will unfortunately not be returning for this season of ‘Dancing with the Stars,’” he said. “I’ve been a Pro dancer on the show for about seven years now and am eager to explore other opportunities ... I’m going to take this time to dive into producing and acting, while fulfilling my sponsorship obligations.”
CNN’s Carolyn Sung contributed to this report.
James Dinan | CNN
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A man in his early 20s suffered life-threatening wounds to his upper back this morning in a shooting in the Leimert Park, police said.
The shooting in the 3800 block of Third Avenue, near 39th Street, was reported around 12:20 a.m., said Lt. H. Fanfassian, watch commander of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Southwest Station.
The victim, who was hospitalized “in extremely serious condition,” did not provide police details of the shooting or a suspect description, Fanfassian said.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Los Angeles County probation officers asked for help today in finding a parolee who threatened to kill school children.
Frank Edward Edmonds, 40, who authorities consider “extremely violent and an imminent public threat,” may be in Compton, South Los Angeles or Inglewood, his last known address.
Two “Saturday Night Live” sets, an Instagram snapshot and 66 projector images later, we now have a better picture of what’s to come on Kanye West’s anticipated new album.
As promised, the rapper — not to be confused with a celebrity — didn’t take part in any of the skits for “SNL’s” season finale/swan song for cast member Bill Hader. But he didn’t need to — over the course of two songs, West still left a lasting impression.
CENTURY CITY, Calif. — Jason Collins, the first active player in a major male team sport to announce he is gay, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and U.S. women’s soccer national team goalkeeper Hope Solo were honored Sunday at the 28th annual Sports Spectacular at the Century Plaza.
Collins, who completed the NBA season with the Washington Wizards, received the Inspirational Athlete of the Year Award, presented to the athlete who has persevered, defied the odds and inspired us all, organizers said.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Authorities today identified a man who was fatally shot by Inglewood police after he allegedly smashed the windows of eight squad cars with a sword in a police station parking lot.
The shooting occurred Saturday night, after the man damaged the vehicles using a sword that was thicker and heavier than a machete, police said. The dead man was identified as Charles Curl, 46, of Los Angeles, coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter said.
