Emmys: Olympians Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik talk about ‘DWTS’ and more
U.S. Olympians Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik talk to USA TODAY’s Ralphie Aversa at the Emmys about life after the Paris Games.
The stars are getting ready to hit the dance floor as the season premiere of Dancing With the Stars approaches.
Season 33 sparked controversy even before it aired because one of her competitors, convicted con artist and influencer Anna Delvey, was included. Other stars include athletes, reality TV stars and actors.
Here’s what you need to know about the new season of DWTS before the premiere:
When is the premiere of “Dancing With the Stars”?
Season 33 of DWTS starts on Tuesday, September 17, at 8 p.m.
How to watch Dancing With the Stars
Fans can watch DWTS on ABC and Disney+ and the next day on Hulu.
Who is competing in season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars”?
Here are everyone who is participating in the new season of DWTS with their partner that you may recognize:
Anna Delvey
Anna Delvey, aka Anna Sorokin, is the subject of the Netflix series “Inventing Anna.” She was convicted in 2019 of swindling $275,000 from banks, hotels and people to fund her lavish lifestyle, the Associated Press reported.
In season 33 of “DWTS” she will compete against the new professional dancer Ezra Sosa.
Brooks Nader
Brooks Nader is a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. She will dance with Gleb Savchenko.
Chandler Kinney
Chandler Kinney is an actress who has appeared in films such as the “Zombies” series and television series such as “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.”
Kinney will dance with Brandon Armstrong.
Daniel Amendola
Danny Amendola is a former NFL player and will dance with Witney Carson.
Dwight Howard
Former NBA player Dwight Howard will dance with Daniella Karagach.
Eric Roberts
Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts is known for films such as Runaway Train and The Dark Knight. You may also know him for his famous family members – he is the brother of Julia Roberts and the father of Emma Roberts.
Robert’s partner is Britt Stewart.
Ilona Maher
US Olympic rugby star and TikTok sensation Ilona Maher will compete against professional dancer Alan Bersten.
“It’s almost like this is a cool rite of passage,” Maher told USA TODAY. “So many of my Olympic idols, from Simone Biles to Suni Lee, have ‘danced.’ And it’s a new skill that’s taking me out of my comfort zone.”
The sportswoman admitted that ballroom dancing on a national stage is daunting. Just the thought of the long hours of training and performing in front of a live audience can be “overwhelming,” she said. Maher has no formal dance training and few of the skills required can be carried over from the rigors of rugby.
Jenn Tran
Jenn Tran, the star of the 21st season of “The Bachelorette,” is the partner of Sasha Farber.
Joey Graziadei
The star of the 28th season of “The Bachelor” will compete with Jenna Johnson.
Phaedra Parks
Phaedra Parks from “Real Housewives of Atlanta” will dance with Val Chmerkovskiy.
Reginald VelJohnson
Reginald VelJohnson is an actor known for his roles in ‘Family Matters’ and ‘Die Hard’. He will dance with Emma Slater.
Stephen Nedoroscik
Olympic medalist Stephen Nedoroscik, also known as the “pommel horse guy,” will compete against Rynee Arnold.
Tori Spelling
Tori Spelling, a former “90210” actress, will dance with Pasha Pashkov.
“It’s been a crazy journey because for 32 seasons they called and I said no,” Spelling said.
Her reason was always her overwhelming fear of dancing on national television, and it got even worse when she sat in the studio audience cheering on her former “90210” co-stars Ian Ziering (Season 4) and Jennie Garth (Season 5). “Those two experiences made me even more afraid, and just seeing how exhausting it all was,” Spelling said.
USA TODAY entertainment reporter Jay Stahl contributed to this article.
