Dancing with the Stars is entering season 18 and ABC has just released an announcement with the all new fall 2014 celebrity cast. The line-up this coming season is diverse, and includes Olympic Gold Medalists, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, Housewife of Atlanta Nene Leakes, Comedian Drew Carey, and the actress who played the beloved Wonder Years character Winnie Cooper, Danica McKellar.
Here is the full list of this season of Dancing with the Stars's 12 new contestants and their assigned professional partners:
Sean Avery (former pro hockey player, Vogue Magazine intern, Fashionisto, Fiancé of model Hilary Rhoda) and Karina Smirnoff
Candace Cameron Bure (actress who played "DJ Tanner" on iconic family sitcom Full House, New York Times bestselling author, and inspirational speaker) and Mark Ballas
Drew Carey (comedian and actor best known for "The Drew Carey Show" and host of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?") and Cheryl Burke
Meryl Davis (Olympic ice dancer, 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist) and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Charlie White (Olympic ice dancer, 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist) and Sharna Burgess
Nene Leakes ( "Real Housewives of Atlanta" reality TV star and actress) and Tony Dovolani
James Maslow ("iCarly" actor and "Big Time Rush" musician) and Peta Murgatroyd
Danica McKellar (actress best known as Winnie Cooper on "The Wonder Years") and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Diana Nyad (swimmer and author) and Henry Byalikov
Amy Purdy (Paralympic snowboarder) and Derek Hough
Cody Simpson (musician) and Witney Carson
Billy Dee Williams (actor) and Emma Slater
There are a few new changes in this season of Dancing with the Stars. Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews will replace Brooke Burke as the hosts of DWTS season 18. Additionally, this season will contain a game-changing twist, named "The Switch Up" which will intensify the popular dance competition. Viewers will be have the opportunity to vote to change celebrities and professional dance pairings. This new rule will affect all couples; each contestant is required to leave behind his or her assigned partner for a new one at some point during season 18. This is the first season in which dance partnerships been split up during the course of competition.
Who's your early favorite to win Season 18?
Season 18 of "Dancing with the Stars" premieres Monday, March 17 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC.