‘DWTS’ Cast: Ricki Lake, Ron Artest, Kristin Cavallari, David Arquette & Nancy Grace

Names include people of accomplishment, and people who have been on TV a lot

Ricki Lake, Ron Artest, Kristin Cavallari, David Arquette and Nancy Grace are among the competitors on the next season of "Dancing with the Stars."

Once again combining people of real accomplishments with people who are more famous for their relatives — or just for being on TV — ABC also named Chynna Phillips, Carson Kressley, motivational speaker and "All My Children" star J.R. Martinez, soccer player Hope Solo, Rob Kardashian, George Clooney's ex, Elisabetta Canalis, and Chaz Bono.

Also read: Meet J.R. Martinez

With his addition to the cast, Bono, the only child of Sonny Bono and Cher, immediately became perhaps the most prominent trangendered person on network TV. Bono legally changed his gender and name last year after transitioning from a female identity.

Martinez isn't yet a household name, but has perhaps the most genuine accomplishments in the cast. An Army infantryman, he suffered burns to more than 40 percent of his body when his Humvee hit a land mine in Iraq. While in recovery, he realized he was able to help other wounded soldiers, and soon became an in-demand motivational speaker. In 2009 he joined the cast of "All My Children" as combat veteran Brot Monroe.

All but Kressley had been identified before the official announcement by someone tweeting under the handle DWTSGossip. The tweets said actor Ryan O'Neal would also join the cast, but he was not named.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward won the 12th season of the show in May.

Comments