‘Dancing with the Stars’ 19: Derek Hough, Mark Ballas more confirmed returning
“Dancing with the Stars” does like to change things up from time to time, and this includes with their roster of new and returning pro dancers. It also includes changing the way in which they announce them.
Typically, the pros are announced after the stars are, but in an interesting twist this year, ABC has already unveiled their professionals old and new. They include mostly familiar faces, but also some people you are going to have to get to know very quickly.
- Mark Ballas – A longtime pro and former champ (best known with Kristi Yamaguchi and Bristol Palin)
- Derek Hough – A longtime pro and former champ (best known with Amber Riley, Jennifer Grey, and Amy Purdy)
- Cheryl Burke – Longtime pro and former champ (best known with Emmitt Smith and Drew Lachey)
- Karina Smirnoff – Longtime pro and former champ (best known with J.R. Martinez and Mario Lopez)
- Tony Dovolani – Longtime pro and former champ (best known with Melissa Rycroft and, regrettably, Kate Gosselin)
- Peta Murgatroyd – Pro for a reasonably long time and former champ (best known with Donald Driver and Sean Lowe)
- Val Chmerkovskiy – Brother of Maks (who is gone from the show) and reasonably longtime pro (best known with Kelly Monaco)
- Witney Carson – Relatively new pro and “So You think You Can Dance” alum (best known with Cody Simpson)
- Emma Slater – Relatively new pro (best known with Bill Engvall)
- Artem Chigvintsev – A former “Strictly Come Dancing” champion with a hard-to-pronounce name.
- Keoikantse Motsepe – “Burn the Floor” star, new to the show, and with an even harder-to-pronounce name. First black pro in the show’s history.
- Allison Holker – Former choreographer for the show and “SYTYCD” alum. First time pro.
What do you think about the lineup this year, and is there anyone you are going to especially miss? Share below, and dance over here to find out how to get more TV updates on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter.
Photo: ABC