RUMORS OF SEASON 9 'DANCING WITH THE STARS CELEBRITIES'

With Dancing With the Star's opening segment less than two months away, show fans are anxiously awaiting the list of "celebrities" who will be paired with professional dancers for competition this year.

In fact, typically this is just about the time that the dance show unveils the names of the dancing celebrities.

But in the midst of the wait, there has been plenty of buzz about who might have been invited and who might not have garnered an invite.

Dancing With The Stars' pros Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy have supposedly said that they extended an invitation to possibly out-of-work Paula Abdul, recently announced as leaving American Idol. But it was unclear whether the offer was to come and watch in the audience, join as a professional dancer or participate as a celebrity. She seems hardly right for the celebrity dancer role given her extensive dancing and choreography history. But, regardless, there was no mention as to whether she would even be coming anywhere close to the show this year.

Also from American Idol, finalist Adam Lambert's name has been mentioned. But given his heavy touring and recording schedule, it is hard to imagine that he has a moment to spare for dancing.

There has been speculation that Katie Holmes might appear -- having weeks ago donned dancing shoes for a Judy Garland tribute on So You Think You Can Dance. But she seems an unlikely candidate because of a hectic schedule and busy family life. Still, perhaps if SYTYCD was a barrel of fun, she must just surprise and say yes.

Incredible Hulk star Lou Ferrigno has termed a sure thing, but evereone knows that a sure thing never is until it officially is.

And word has been afloat that wedding gown designer and former figure skater Vera Wang is among the list of most likely candidates. She reportedly acknowledged being invited -- and some say accepted.

Next, actor Dean McDermott told etonline that indeed Dancing With the Stars have "expressed an interest in me, and I haven't heard back from them yet so I don't know. We had talks." He also told People, "I'd love to be on Dancing With the Stars." So he seems another strong possibility. And could this be a "couples" year? McDermott added that his wife Tori Spelling gets asked "every year." Will this be the year when she says yes?

Winding down our list, The View co-host Sherri Shepherd mentioned that she, too, was approached -- and was considering the possibility.

Other names tossed into the rumor hat include Olympic gold medalist and pro wrestler Kurt Angle, along with Entourage's Debi Mazar.

Soon the names will come, but in the meantime it is fan's latest guessing game!