Dancing with the Stars
News (Page 4)

We're very sorry that La Toya Jackson's brother died.

But that doesn't mean we think it's okay for her to join the season nine cast of Dancing with the Stars.

According to a report in Us Weekly, "[La Toya is] in serious discussions to join the show," as sources claim there's an offer from ABC on the table.

Her rep says: "She's a big fan of the show, and being from a musical family, it would be a good fit."

No, it really wouldn't be. It would be an exploitive decision by ABC and a somewhat galling one by Jackson. She'd be milking the public's sympathy over Michael's death and trying to turn it into votes.

Perhaps La Toya would be better served by keeping a close eye on her brother's kids, instead of spending six hours a day learning the Paso Doble.

Changes are coming to Dancing with the Stars. So is Anna Demidova.

The part-time model was born in Moscow and has accumulated a number of titles throughout her successful career. They include International Grand Ball 10 Dance Champion; USA Dance National Standard Champion; and multiple-time U.S. Youth International Standard Champion.

She'll be aligned with a celebrity when the series premieres on September 22.

Meanwhile, executive producer Conrad Green has confirmed that the competition will, indeed, bump up its number of contestants to 16. He told Entertainment Tonight:

"This is going to be our biggest-ever cast. We are going to start big, and then about halfway through, we are going to do three double eliminations back-to-back. The middle of the season is going to be brutal when half of our cast goes in three weeks."

Regarding casting rumors - is Ashley Hamilton really among the competitors? - Green remained mum and mysterious.

"If people get in the press and say, 'I am on the show,' even if they are not, what can you do? I think our celebrity show is the one that most people want to be on because they realize it isn't degrading or demeaning in any way. You learn a new skill, and it is a wholesome family show."

It doesn't look like Paula Abdul is done with reality TV.

The wacky judge may have left American Idol last week, but new offers are pouring in.

Producer Nigel Lythoe may it clear that the singer is welcome any time on So You Think You Can Dance, while ABC's entertainment president, Steve McPherson, made the same sort of comment to reporters last week, regarding Dancing with the Stars.

"I was a little stunned by the [American Idol] decision," he said. "We would love to have her on Dancing either as a participant or a contestant... I definitely have reached out to her. I gave her a call first and foremost to say I was sorry about the situation and to say we'd love to see her on ABC."

We can't imagine Abdul becoming a participant on the competition, as she's clearly after millions in salary.

But might she judge this season's new contestants? They're rumored to include Ashley Hamilton, Lou Ferrigno and Dean McDermott.

Dancing With the Stars is getting desperate.

Last month, the rumor was that the show had signed Ashley Hamilton for the cast. Try not to get too excited about that.

Now, a couple of other Z-list names are making the rounds.

First, Life & Style reports that former actor and bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno is set to boogie. The Incredible Hulk star, who was actually personally training Michael Jackson before he died, told the magazine:

"I had a good meeting with the producers for Dancing With the Stars, it was really positive, and they loved the idea of having me on the show. I've never done that type of dancing before, so I know that I'll have to train hard. I'm a glutton for punishment, so I'll give it my best shot."

Meanwhile, Marc Malkin of E! News says that Tori Spelling's husband (that's really all he's known for) Dean McDermott is in talks with producers.

"He wants to do it," an insider said. "He'd be really good at it, too."

The official Dancing with the Stars cast will be announced on August 17.

Kurt Angle won the Gold Medal at the 1996 Olympics.

Since then, he's conquered the world of professional wrestling, winning the heavyweight title in the WWE and TNA Wrestling.

What's left for the athlete to accomplish? Dancing With the Stars, of course.

"Its pretty simple, Kurt enjoys dancing and believe it or not he has the talent to do it," his agent, Dave Hawk, told Great Britain's The Sun of the possibility of his client joining the show. "Just as Kurt has lightning speed, smooth, controlled and brilliant moves in pro-wrestling, this man can also dance."

Hawk continued:

"I had my first real glimpse of his dancing talent at my son's wedding about a year ago. I was really surprised as Kurt can really move. All I can say is if Kurt takes that drive, determination and attitude of wanting to be the best at wherever he does, I believe with his athletic ability and charisma, he will be a very strong contender on this program."

Already, Ashley Hamilton has been confirmed for this fall's season of Dancing with the Stars.

Karina Smirnoff is engaged to Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

But she has her sights set on another man.

Asked over the weekend who she'd love to see on Dancing with the Stars, the professional dancer cited a certain Matrix actor.

"I have always wanted to meet Keanu Reeves," Smirnoff told Us Weekly at the Paws for Style Fashion Show in NYC Monday.

Has she had any luck making her plea for him? Not exactly.

"I've said it for, like, eight seasons, and it doesn't seem that he's gotten the message. He hasn't responded, so I'm starting to give up."

Come on, Keanu. What the heck else do you have to do? We doubt studios are calling too often with movie offers.

Sources have revealed the first competitor on the new fall season of Dancing with the Stars...

... and it's Ashley Hamilton?!?

The little-known actor is the son of well-tanned George Hamilton, who competed on the series in 2006. Ashley appeared on the short-lived soap opera Sunset Beach, along with small films such as Beethoven's 2nd.

The younger Hamilton is really best known for his marriages: he's been hitched to Shannen Doherty and Angie Everhart.

ABC won't comment on this rumor, but will reveal the new cast of Dancing with the Stars on August 17.

Do we really need more C-list stars with Playboy posing pasts?

According to various sources, Dancing With the Stars is considering a change for season nine: producers are contemplating an increased number of contestants, as 16 stars might hit the floor, with two getting eliminated each week for 10 weeks.

The lineup should be announced some time in August. What do you think of this proposal?

Might Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris preside over more stars than usual this fall? We hope not.

Debi Mazar's character on Entourage has received dwindling screen time over the past few seasons.

But the actress, who plays Vincent Chase's foul-mouthed publicist, is likely to pop up on the small screen this fall in a different capacity.

Mazar’s rep confirmed to TV Guide Magazine that his client has been officially offered a slot on the next season of Dancing With the Stars. When Mazar returns from a vacation in Italy, she'll announce her decision.

Assuming she accepts, Mazar can count on the support of at least one co-star. Kevin Connolly said:

“I’d have somebody to root for. It makes sense. She’s popular and has an attitude about her. She’s feisty. You get her going and she’d be one to go after the judges.”

Sounds like Dancing with the Stars is about to get a lot more fashionable.

Reports indiciate that designer Vera Wang has signed on for next season.

Wang, who will be 60 when the show debuts on September 21, started as a Vogue editor and has become one of the most famous wedding dress designers on the planet.

E! News has done research and says that Wang trained as a professional figure skater growing up. Should bode well for her on the series.