Mel C, Brian Austin Green, Matt James and More Join ‘DWTS’
Dancing With The Stars returns this month for its 30th season, and the entire celebrity cast was revealed today (September 8). Check out who’s going to be competing back in the ballroom below.
Mel C
Mel C, born Melanie Jayne Chisholm, famously known as Sporty Spice of the Spice Girls. She and Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell released hits such as “Wannabe,” “Say You’ll Be There” and “Spice Up Your Life.”
Martin Kove
Actor Martin Kove starred as John Kreese in the beloved ’80s Karate Kid franchise. He reprised his character on the Netflix series Cobra Kai, with season 4 set to release this December with a fifth season also on the way.
Brian Austin Green
Brian Austin Green, known best for his role as David Silver on Beverly Hills, 90210 joins the DWTS cast. Green was married to actress Megan Fox for 10 years until they split last year; they share three sons together.
Olivia Jade Giannulli
21-year-old Olivia Jade Giannulli has become famously known for the 2019 college admissions “Varsity Blues” scandal. Daughter of Full House actress Lori Loughlin and fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, who pled guilty to conspiracy charges after they were accused of paying half a million dollars to get their daughters Olivia Jade and Isabella into the University of Southern California as crew recruits (neither daughter had ever rowed competitively).
JoJo Siwa
Dancer and singer JoJo Siwa, known for her appearance on reality TV show Dance Moms, joins the ballroom as the first competitor paired with a partner of the same sex. The 18-year-old came out as LGBTQ in January and later said she identifies as pansexual.
She said at ABC’s Television Critics Association panel last month of the chance to dance with a pro of the same sex, “I think it’s really special that not only now do I get to share with the world you get to love who you want to love, but also you get to dance with who you want to dance with.” Siwa said she agreed “without hesitation” because she wants “to make it OK for the people who come after” her.
Matt James
Matt James, 29, made history when he became the first Black Bachelor lead in the franchise last year. He professed his love to Rachael Kirkconnell, but when racist social media posts from Kirkconnell were later uncovered, she issued multiple public apologies, including one during the “After the Final Rose” special. The two split for a time following the controversy but have since reconnected and are currently together.
Suni Lee
Suni Lee, 18, is an American gymnast who just won three medals at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, bringing home a gold medal in the all-around competition, a bronze medal for the uneven bars and a silver medal in the team competition. She is the first Hmong-American gymnast to compete for Team USA.
Christine Chiu
Christine Chiu is a philanthropist and one of the stars of Netflix’s Bling Empire, a reality show focused on wealthy Asians and Asian Americans in Los Angeles.
Iman Shumpert
Iman Shumpert is a professional basketball player who first played for the New York Knicks and most recently played for the Brooklyn Nets. He won the NBA championship as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. The 31-year-old shares two daughters with wife Teyana Taylor.
Kenya Moore
Kenya Moore is an actress who’s appeared in various music videos, shows and movies, but is most recognizable as a star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta since 2012.
Mike “The Miz” Mizanin
Mike “The Miz” Mizanin is a professional wrestler for the past 15 years, but you might recognize him from his past appearances on MTV’s The Real World and The Challenge.
Amanda Kloots
Amanda Kloots, co-host of The Talk, is a former Broadway dancer and Radio City Rockette who is also now a celebrity trainer.
Melora Hardin
Melora Hardin is an actress known for the ’80s TV series of Dirty Dancing; she also played Jan Levinson on The Office and has a role on Transparent.
Jimmie Allen
Country singer Jimmie Allen (born James Edward Allen) is known for songs like “Best Shot” and “Make Me Want To,” both off his 2018 debut album, Mercury Lane.
Cody Rigsby
Cody Rigsby is a New York City-based Peloton instructor, the company’s cycling director and aformer professional dancer. He’s gained popularity through his hysterical and honest commentary during high intensity classes. His fans are affectionately dubbed the “#BooCrew.”
Dancing With the Stars returns for season 30 on Monday, September 20 on ABC. The judging panel for this season includes Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and former pro Derek Hough. Tyra Banks returns as host and executive producer, having joined the show last season as the first Black female host — and solo host — in franchise history.
