FOUR DANCING WITH THE STARS PROS WILL NOT BE ELIMINATED

Dancing With the Stars will return to delight fans in late March, but with four fewer professional dancers than last season. And rumors are flying that former American Idol judge Paula Abdul may slide into a new fourth DWTS judging chair.

Last year DWTS opened the season with a highly touted largest number of celebrity and professional pairings ever, but this year dancing couples will be sliced back from 16 to a dozen couples. The math computes that that four fewer couples means that four of the professional dancers will not be gliding across the shows stage this season.

The professional dancers are all anxiously waiting to see who wins and who loses in the executive decision of which dancers will be back and which will not.

Professionals signed for last season were, for the men, Derek Hough, Alec Mazo, Dmitry Chaplin, Louis Van Amstel, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Jonathan Roberts, Mark Ballas and Tony Dovdani -- and ladies, Anna Trebunskaya, Edyta Sliwinska, Anna Demidova, Chelsie Hightower, Karina Smirnoff, Cheryl Burke, Kym Johnson and Lacey Schwimmer.

The pro dancers expect to learn their fate on February 8th -- and, in keeping with tradition, in early March the names of celebrity dancers will be revealed to the public.

And amid the anxiety surrounding the fate of favorite pro dancers is the return of rumors, which also circulated last season, that Paula Abdul will join the show as a dancer or judge. It has been reported that Abdul has been offered a $1 million deal to accept a judging stint -- and last year Abdul met with show execs to discuss joining the show at that time.

However, it has also been reported that Abdul may be slated for a spot on Simon Cowell's new The X Factor show, which will begin next year, -- and there seems to be no chatter addressing whether a regular appearance on one show might affect a contract to appear on a second show. So folks are questioning where Paula will actually show up -- on DWTS, So You Think You Can Dance, The X Factor or possibly even on more than one of the shows.

So fans of DWTS have lots of questions on their minds -- which professional dancers will return, who will be the new celebrity hoofers and will Paula actually sit as a judge this season? The waiting and wondering turns a reality entertainment show into a "mystery" show as well, at least for the moment.

CONGRATULATIONS TO DANCING WITH THE STARS CHAMPION DONNY OSMOND AND HIS PARTNER KYM JOHNSON!

MYA, DONNY OR KELLY -- WHO WILL WIN THE TROPHY ON DANCING WITH THE STARS?

Who will take home the Dancing With The Stars mirrored trophy? All three finalists -- entertainer Donny Osmond, singer Mya and reality star Kelly Obourne -- made it crystal clear that they want to win and urged their fans to call in votes.

Guessing who will win this season seems a bit like flipping a coin. Mya and her partner Dmitry Chaplin have dominated all season. And they performed at the top of their game on Monday night -- until the all-important free-style round. Chaplin wanted to perform a Broadway number from Hairspray, but Mya thought that was playing it too safe. She wanted to dazzle the judges and fans with a riskier show-stopper routine. But in the end Mya relented, and it seemed that Chaplin let her down by choreographing a performance that was ordinary and in no way stood out as their Hallmark dance. Fortunately, though, prior to the freestyle, Mya had been on fire.

Also, in a number with all three couples competing at the same time, the judges chose Mya as the best dancer, Osmond second and Osbourne third.

While Donny Osmond, with partner Kym Johnson, never displayed Mya's high level of dance talent, he always danced well enough that his out-going personality propelled him into a fan favorite. And he gained the advantage in the final of having a stand-out, showpiece free-style routine. Where Chaplin had failed Mya, Johnson really came through for Osmond -- and they did a smart version of "Back in Business" that had showmanship and flair.

So while the most talented dancer is clearly Mya, the freestyle and most outgoing personality goes to Osmond.

The third couple, Kelly Osbourne and Louis Van Amstel, seemed to expect to finish third. They gave each number the old "college try" -- and Osbourne showed both determination and spunk. But it is expected that she simply lacks the fan base of Osmond and Mya -- and some mistakes in the freestyle seemed likely to seal the couple's fate for third place.

So, while the show's judges placed Mya first, the dance final left the ultimate fate of the contestants in the hands of the fans. Will the best dancer win? If so, expect Mya to collect the trophy. Or will popular Osmond, with the spectacular freestyle, win largely on his personality? It will be interesting to see what ultimately counts most -- because this is likely a battle between dancing talent and popularity.

ELIMINATIONS ARE AGONY -- THIS WEEK MICHAEL IRVIN AND MARK DACASCOS WERE VOTED OFF 'DANCING WITH THE STARS'

Without eliminations, Dancing With The Stars would not be a dancing competition reality show. But that doesn't mean that eliminations are anything except agonizing for fans, especially after weeks of following the dancers and phoning in votes to help favorites in their quest for the DWTS trophy!

Football great Michael Irvin impressed not only with his dance moves with partner Anna Demidova, but also with his competitive spirit and ever-present sense of humor. No doubt, he will forever be remembered as the DWTS celebrity dancer who wanted to win so badly that he actually placed a coin between his cheers -- yes, those cheeks -- to help maintain his correct posture.

But this week Irvin received the lowest score -- which meant that he was eliminated from DSTW.

After his elimination, Irvin admitted that after the first week, he actually thought that he would be gone. "At this point, when you look at the five people who are left, these are great dancers," he said. "I'm very happy for the seven weeks. We had a good time." And Irvin thanked all of his fans for their votes.



In a dance-off between actor Aaron Carter and Mark Dacascos, of "Iron Chef" fame, Dacascos and his partner were chosen by the judges to leave the competition.

Dacascos had been at a disadvantage this week because his assigned partner Lacey Schwimmer was out sick with the flu -- and at the last minute he had to learn a new routine to perform with professional Anna Trebunskaya.

So to many of Dacascos' fans, it seemed a bit unfair that he should be eliminated since he was a victim of circumstance -- having to mesh with a new partner and learn a new and intricate routine in almost no time at all.

"Forty-eight hours prior to Monday night's show, I didn't have a dance routine," Dacascos explained. But he said that he had enjoyed his time on the Dancing With The Stars show, working with everyone -- and also thanked his fans.

JOANNA KRUPA AND AARON CARTER EACH STEPPED IT UP ON DANCING WITH THE STARS

During every Dancing With The Stars season, there comes a point when some celebrity dancers begin to look almost as good as the pros -- and to expect to stay around, the competitors need to take their hoofing game to the highest level.

It seems that this point is "now" for the current season.

Actor Aaron Carter and his partner Karina Smirnoff performed an energetic jive that their speedy footwork almost created a blur. Judge Bruno Tonioli exclaimed that they had gone "to the galaxy and beyond!" Judges Len Goodman and Carrie Ann Inaba agreed -- and together the trio gave the dancers a leaderboard topping score of 29 points.

But also stepping up their game were Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough who performed a very romantic rumba that also had judges singing praise and awarding 27 points.

After team competition -- Team Tango was awarded the highest points, 28, by the judges. Celebrities on the team were Kelly Osborne, Donny Osmond and Joanna Krupa. The points from this group dance shot Krupa and Hough to the top of the leaderboard.

Finishing behind Team Tango was Team Paso Doble -- Mya, Mark Dacascos, Michael Irvin and Aaron Carter.

Finishing with the least points of the evening was Iron Chef star Mark Dacascos.

As the Dancing With the Stars weeks roll by, viewers become more acquainted with the celebrity and professional dancers so that saying good-bye tends to get tough. This week it was former UFC champion Chuck Liddell and his partner Anna Trebunskaya who got KO'd from the dance show.

During the elimination show host Tom Bergeron initially announced that singer Mya and Dmitry Chaplin, along with actress Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Ballas were safe -- but actor Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff, who had received a score of 18 from the show's judges the previous night, were in danger of being sent home.

Later Bergeron added to the list of safe couples -- Kelly Osbourne and Louis Van Amstel; swimmer Natalie Coughlin and Alec Mazo, Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough, along with "Iron Chef" star Mark Dacasos and Lacey Schwimmer, football great Michael Irvin and Anna Demidova and Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson.

So after guest star Shakira performed "Did It Again" and "Hips Don't Lie," it was time to reveal the celebrity dancer who would be gracing the DWTS stage for the final time.

With the in-danger field narrowed to Chuck and Anna, Aaron and Karina and showboarder Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower, Bergerson called Vito and Hightower safe.

So after voting from fans at home, the two lowest scoring couples were Chuck and Anna, along with Aaron and Karina -- with Chuck and Anna announced as the couple who had reached the end of their DWTS line.

Liddell, though, said that he enjoyed his time on the show -- and learned that dancing is "hard to do." Trebunskaya said that she will miss her "gentle giant," but that he had done well and made her feel proud.

Now the field is narrowed from 16 couples to only 10 couples -- and next week the dancers will perform in tribute to singer Michael Jackson.

ACTRESS DEBI MAZAR ELIMINATED FROM 'DANCING WITH THE STARS'

What was supposed to be a one-couple Dancing With The Stars elimination in the end saw two of the competing pairs taking their final bows on the DWTS stage.

During the previous night's competition of Latin-style dances, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay proved that he has guts and courage when he completed his entire routine despite suffering from stress fractures in both feet.

DeLay said that while the adrenaline was flowing, he was able to "dance" through the pain, but that later his feet told him that it was time to leave. Even icing them could not alleviate the hurt. So upon the advice of his doctor, the show's producers and his feet -- along with the fact that he did not want to cause his incredibly talented dance partner, Cheryl Burke, to falter, he announced that was leaving.

"If you can't practice," said DeLay, "you make a fool of yourself out there. And I don't want to do that to Cheryl."

Intertwined with songs performed by Queen Latifah, host Tom Bergeron revealed the couples who were safe and those who were not.

After announcing that DeLay and Burke were safe, he said that Michael Irvin and Anna Demidova were in jeopardy, but that Chuck Liddell and Anna Trebunsaya were also safe.

In Bergeron's next announcement, singer Mya and Dmitry Chaplin and swimmer Natalie Coughlin and Alec Mazo were called safe, but model Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough were disclosed to be in danger of elimination.

In the third set, actor Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff were placed on the "in jeopardy" list after Bergeron sent entertainer Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson to safety, along with snowboarder Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower and 'Iron Chef' star Mark Dacascos and Lacey Schwimmer.

And finally, actress Debi Mazar and Maksim Chmerkovskiy were placed "in danger" after Kelly Osbourne and Louis Van Amstel and Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Ballas were sent to safety.

As all four "in danger" couples lined on the stage, the judges' comments on each celebrity's performance were read -- and Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough, along with Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff were deemed safe.

So -- drum roll, please -- it was down to former Cowboys star Michael Irvin and Debi Mazar as the celebrities in danger of being sent home.

Mazar, who was no stranger to the "bottom two," smiled, but looked incredibly nervous -- while Irvin explained that he did not want to leave, but looked as if he could handle the outcome whichever way it went for him.

Mazar's samba the prior evening had failed to impress the judges. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba called her performance "a little too safe." And judge Bruno Tpnioli thought that it was "disconnected," although judge Len Goodman said, "What you did, you did well." She and her partner had garnered scores of 6, 5, and 6 for a total of 17 points -- 3 points higher than that of Irvin and his partner.

When Mazar's name was called, she instinctively said, "Oh, no." Clearly, Mazar wanted more time to improve in her dancing -- but she graciously continued to smile and said that she was grateful to have learned the dance steps and had the opportunity to form friendships, especially with her partner Maks. "I definitely have a few more steps," Mazar said, "and I've had a great time."

So Mazar joined the list of previously voted-off celebrities: actor Ashley Hamilton -- son of previous contestant, George Hamilton; model Kathy Ireland and singer Macy Gray. And, of course, Tom DeLay will no longer perform, although he did enthusiastically welcome Bergeron's offer to come back to perform the Texas two-step on the Dancing With The Stars finale.

TOM DeLAY LEAVING 'DANCING WITH THE STARS' COMPETITION

Former Housee Majority Leader Tom DeLay is withdrawing from the dance competition on the popular television program, Dancing With The Stars.

DeLay performed with his partner, Cheryl Burke, last night despite suffering stress fractures in both feet.

But DeLay explained that after completing the dance, he was paying a price for trying to stay in the contest even though his doctors and DWTS producers had opined that he should quit.

"They're starting to tell me that I should not have done this," DeLay said -- speaking of his feet. "I ice them. I have a bone stimulator machine that I put on them."

But DeLay said that he enjoyed being a part of Dancing With The Stars -- and has met wonderful friends, particularly Burke.

MYA AND DMITRY CHAPLIN TOP THE 'DANCING WITH THE STARS' LEADER BOARD

Another week on Dancing With the Stars found Len back on the DWTS judging panel -- and the celebrities preforming close to the level of previous weeks.

The only real surprise of the evening was the previously near-perfect Aaron Carter and partner Karina Smirnoff. While Carter's dancing was on a par with most DWTS competitors, he had set the bar high for himself and was expected to be flawless. But the rumba proved not to be quite Carter's cup of tea. His dance moves were admirable, but unnatural and exaggerated. Judge Bruno Tonioli opined that the performance lacked "fluidity." Carrie Ann Inaba thought that it was exaggerated, but otherwise a "good job." And Len Goodman felt that it lacked "musicality." The pair garnered 8, 6, 7 scores for a total of 21, placing them fourth and tied with entertainer Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson who also found the rumba more of a challenge than their previous dance styles.



Topping the leader board were singer Mya and her partner Dmitry Chaplin. The rumba gave this couple no problems as they performed a sexy routine that brought a thunderous applause from fans. Carrie Ann loved the "fluidity" of their performance. Len was a bit grumpy in his assessment, but Bruno quickly chimed in, saying, that the performance had undoubtedly put a lot of Americans "in the mood for love." Their efforts brought two perfect scores of 10 -- and a 7 from Len, totaling 27.

Second place was captured by swimmer Natalie Coughlin and partner Alec Mazo. While during rehearsal the young Natalie was challenged to look into her partner's eyes and perform a sexy routine, once they hit the competition dance floor she knew exactly what to do -- and she did it. Slow and sexy -- perhaps the pair's best performance thus far. Carrie called the dance "dramatic," and Len praised the "leg action." Bruno turned theatrical in terming it "stratospheric!" Scores were 9, 8, and 9 -- for a total of 26, just one point behind Mya and Dmitry.

Finishing third were model Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough. In an unusual opening, Hough grabbed a rope and made his swinging entrance Tarzan-style. Carrie Ann said that Joanna was "fearless" in performing the samba -- and "super sexy." Len agreed -- adding that "it had quality stamped all over it." And Bruno echoed their sentiments. The 7, 8, and 8 scores delivered a 23 total.

The lowest ranked couple of the evening was football great Michael Irvin and partner Anna Demidova -- dancing a samba. Carrie Ann thought that Irvin was "dancing too small" -- and Len and Bruno considered the performance "disappointing." Their scores were 5, 4, 5, for a low 14 points.

And finishing only one point higher was the couple -- former Sen. Tom DeLay and Cheryl Burke. While their dance may not have captivated the audience, DeLay won the respect of DWTS fans -- completing the entire routine despite suffering stress fractures in both feet! DeLay had been advised by his doctors and the show's producers to leave the competition -- but he said that he likes challenges and was determined to dance. DeLay captured high praise for his courage -- along with scores of 6, 4, and 5 -- for 15 points.

Other scores for the evening:
Mark Dacascos and Lacey Schwimmer -- 18
Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Ballas -- 19
Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower -- 20
Debi Mazar and Maksim Chmerkovskiy -- 17
Chuck Liddell and Anna Trebunskaya -- 17
Kelly Osborne and Louis Van Amstel -- 20

DANCING WITH THE STARS' KATHY IRELAND IS SENT HOME

Model Kathy Ireland may not have been the best dancer on Dancing With the Stars, but it is doubtful that any voter-eliminated star has ever left with greater dignity and grace. If DWTS fans were not impressed with her quickstep, they certainly must have been impressed with her personal style.

Ireland smiled continuously throughout the announcement that she had garnered the lowest score -- as well and while Tom Bergeron explained that everyone had enjoyed having her on the show. When Ireland was asked whether, since she was leaving on the second week of eliminations, was asked whether she felt any regrets at giving DWTS a whirl, Ireland sweetly explained that she had truly enjoyed meeting everyone and learning to dance. She was sweet, genuine and totally believable.

Before Ireland was announced as heading home, Bergeron announced that along with Ireland and her partner, the other lowest ranking couple was politician Tom DeLay and his partner Cheryl Burke.

Points handed out by the judges this week were:

Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff: 27; Mya and Dmitry Chaplin: 27; Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson: 25; Natalie Coughlin and Alec Mazo: 21; Mark Decascos and Lacey Schwimmer: 21; and Debi Mazar and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 21.

Michael Irvin and Anna Demidova: 20; Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough: 20; Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Balas: 19; Chuck Liddell and Anna Trebunskaya: 19; Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel: 19; Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower: 19; Tom DeLay and Cheryl Burke: 18; and Kathy Ireland and Tony Dovolani: 18.

Actor Aaron Carter and his partner, Karina Smirnoff, performed a lively quickstep to the "Muppet Show" theme -- and completely impressed the show's judges and audience with their quite perfect performance. The judges rewarded the pair with three "9" scores. And the couple appeared to have the lead entirely to themselves -- until singer Mya and partner Dmitry Chaplin also impressed with a totally professional appearing jive. Their score equalled that of Carter and Smirnoff.

In third place was Donny Osmond, the second oldest competitor, who also performed a jive so lively that he could easily have been mistaken for a teenager. Osmond and partner Kym Johnson finished just one point behind the leaders.

ASHLEY HAMILTON AND MACY GRAY VOTED OFF DANCING WITH THE STARS

All the stars glittering on the Dancing With The Stars stage gave fans a thrilling first week of the dance competition show. But as always happens with DWTS, the there were stars who had their glitter dimmed as they received the fewest votes and were sent home.

On this first week of dancing, two stars were eliminated -- actor Ashley Hamilton and singer Macy Gray. Both did a good job with their initial routines, but just not good enough to garner enough votes to have a second shot at impressing fans at home.

Macy Gray performed a Vienese waltz with professional dancer Jonathan Roberts. And Ashley Hamilton, who's dad George was once also a contestant on the show, performed a fox trot with partner, professional dancer Edyta Sliwinska.

Even though Gray and Hamilton failed to last beyond the first week, both said that they enjoyed every minute of the experience and have no regrets about entering the dance competition.

Gray opined that she enjoyed meeting new friends on the show, saying, "That was one of the best things. I met some really great people that I hope to hang out with in the future. It was a fun one week."

Hamilton knew that he entered the contest at a disadvantage because he was not fully recovered from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Sliwinska, who had been his father's dance partner on DWTS, said, "Ashley had no idea how to dance. He came with no experience, but he worked way harder than his dad. And he did an amazing, amazing job."

A highlight of DWTS, too, was a tribute to the late Patrick Swayze, described as a "friend of the show." Swayze won the hearts of fans with his ballroom dance routines in the film, Dirty Dancing.

DESPITE THEIR BREAK-UP, MAKSIM AND KARINA WILL PERFORM TOGETHER AT THE EMMYS

Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkowskiy, professional dancers on the hit television show Dancing With the Stars, will perform at the 61th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 20 -- despite calling off their engagement, announced CBS and the Television Academy on Thursday.

Just one day prior to the airing of the first episode of the new season of DWTS, the couple will perform in a segment honoring dance in reality television at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. The commitment was believed to have been made prior to their separation, according to reports.

On the upcoming Dancing With the Stars season, Smirnoff will be dancing with singer Aaron Carter, and Chmerkovskiy has been paired with actress Debi Mazar.

MARK BALLAS AND MELISSA JOAN HART PREP FOR UPCOMING DANCING WITH THE STARS

Dancing With The Stars professional dancer Mark Ballas has revealed a secret -- he used to love to watch his new partner for this season when she was in Clarissa Explains It All. Melissa Joan Hart played the part of Clarissa Darling before achieving even greater fame on the hit comedy, Sabrina The Teenage Witch.

"I would tell my mom not to talk to me when it was on," confided Ballas to digitalspy.

Ballas has achieved his own fame as a professional dancer on Dancing With The Stars -- and last year won the dance competition trophy with Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson.

Hart is "doing pretty well so far," confided Ballas. "She has a tendency to kind of want to do all the hard stuff now. We've got to build up to it."

For her part, Hart has admitted to realitytv that she is nervous -- that she hopes that she will not throw up from a case of nerves. She also said, "People keep saying, 'Don't do it unless you're going to win.' It all depends on what I'm able to pull off and what the other competition is like. I think Donny (Osmond) is the most popular of the group, for sure. And I think he's going to get the popular vote. I just hope he can't dance very well."

TOM DELAY AND CHERYL BURKE -- PARTNERS ON DANCING WITH THE STARS

Dancing With The Stars competitor (and former Congressman) Tom DeLay pointed his Twitter followers to the show's website for a peek at rehearsals.

DeLay wrote on Twitter, "I'm back from LA. The photo shoot was so much fun. It was like going to Disneyland. You know politics is showbiz too."

CLICK HERE FOR A PEEK AT DANCING WITH THE STARS REHEARSAL PHOTOS

DONNY AND MARIE OSMOND -- AND DONNY'S DWTS PARTNER KYM JOHNSON HAVING FUN

"The show is adding the country two-step and the Charleston," Kym tells Donny and Marie. Watch as the trio joke and have fun!

CLICK HERE TO SEE DONNY AND MARIE, ALONG WITH KYM JOHNSON.

DWTS LOUIS VAN AMSTEL SPEAKS OUT ABOUT HIS PAIRING WITH KELLY OSBOURNE AND THE UPCOMING DWTS SEASON

Dancing With The Stars' professional dancer Louis Van Amstel, who is an original member of the DWTS cast and back for his fifth season, recently opined on his new dance partner Kelly Osbourne and the upcoming season.

Returning to the beginning, Van Amstel that in the first season in 2005, there were only six couples -- and he danced with Trista Sutter.




But in this upcoming season, the number of celebrity dancers has escalated to 16, the largest cast ever. From the beginning to now Van Amstel said that DWTS has been a whole lot of fun -- and he has had the pleasure of gliding across the dance floor with such stars as Lisa Rinna, Monique Coleman and Priscilla Presley.

Van Amstel and his new partner Kelly Osbourne have already started rehearsals. "The format of the show has not changed," said Van Amstel. "You get a celebrity with little or no training." And then laughed and joked to abclocal. "I have my work cut out for me this season. We have so much fun. She's a little naughty, so am I. We're a good team."



Van Amstel also revealed that the show will be spicing things up a bit. "They've added dances none of us has ever done," he said. "There's double elimination in the middle, some weeks where people at home do not vote at all."

Another change this season is that limits have been placed on rehearsal time. "I think it's actually a good thing, too many injuries," explained Van Amstel. "I'm about health. You need to make sure you warm up, cool down, do other activity than just dance."

The first episode of Dancing With the Stars will air on Monday, Sept 21.

TOM DeLAY, MELISSA JOAN HART AND NATALIE COUGHLIN SPEAK ABOUT REHEARSAL FOR DANCING WITH THE STARS

Former Congressman Tom DeLay, who will be dancing on the upcoming Dancing With the Stars, has revealed that he and his partner Cheryl Burke are rehearsing and and doing well.

Delay posted a few messages on Twitter: "Headed to the studio for my first rehearsal and to meet my partner. Hoping it's not Nancy Pelosi :)" And, "I've got the best dance partner in the bunch. I'm very excited." Also, "After two dance sessions I can tell you Cheryl Burke is the most patient person I have ever met." And finally, "In LA for rehearsals and title shoots. Also learning two dances. Cheryl says I am progressing very well."

Also competing this season will be Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin who, after a bit of dancing rehearsal with her partner Alec Mazo, confided, "It's frustrating, but fun." She confided, "I don't do much on land. I'm out of my element." And she explained that swimming and dancing often use entirely different muscles -- so she will need to develop muscles that she has never used when swimming.

"I just hope I don't throw up or cry from nerves," actress Melissa Joan Hart confided to usmagazine about her upcoming stint on Dancing With the Stars.

The Dancing With the Stars gig will not be Hart's first time stepping on a dance floor. She and her musician husband, Mark Wilkerson, choreographed a routine for their wedding that she described as "flashy, fancy and super fun."

Hart, who is paired with DWTS professional Mark Ballas, told usmagazine that she has been assessing the competition. "I think Donny [Osmond] is the most popular of the group, for sure," she said. "And I think he's going to get the popular vote. I just hope he can't dance very well. He can't drive very well -- I beat him in a race a couple years ago, so we'll see if I can duplicate that."

Hart also said, "I think Mya is going to be a big contender, definitely. She looks like she's got the moves and obviously she knows music so she's got rhythm. Aaron Carter, same thing."

But it is former Dallas Cowboys' Michael Irvin that Hart vealed most worries her husband. "My husband's really worried about Michael Irvin -- wide receivers take ballet," she explained. "And the Olympians, they're the ones that have the endurance and they've already got the muscle, the strength, form and coaching. They're used to that rigorous schedule."

And who is Hart most eager to meet at the Dancing With The Stars' studio? Her response -- snowboarder Louis Vito.

"I've snowboarded for 17 years and I'm hoping that when this is all over he'll show me some moves on a half-pipe," she told usmagazine. "But he's able to do things with his body -- jump in the air and twist around and whatnot, so who knows what he's going to be able to pull off on the dance floor."

DWTS KYM JOHNSON TALKS ABOUT HER NEW DANCE PARTNER, DONNY OSMOND

Dancing With the Stars' Kym Johnson, who has been paired with entertainer Donny Osmond for the upcoming DWTS season, is keeping fans up to date with the couples' rehearsal progress by blogging on ok.

She told fans, "As you all know, I have Donny Osmond as my partner this season and when I found out, I had him I was so excited. I’m a fan of his; I think he’s so great and he’s such a nice person. It’s going to be really, really fun season for me. We’ve had a few rehearsals so far in Utah and it’s going really well."



Johnson reminded fans that Osmond has been in the entertainment industry since he was five-years-old -- and said that he is ready to work really hard.

"With ballroom dancing," she expressed, "it’s very different from any other form of dancing — so he’s got to muster technique and work on his posture. He wants to bring out the technical side of ballroom, but he also wants to do a good job of entertaining the audience, which is what I want to do as well."

Johnson said that she and Osmond are having fun -- that he makes her laugh.

"The first day, I met his five sons and his wife, who all came to support him in rehearsal," Johnson revealed. "It’s going to be a big family affair and I’m sure they’re going to be there every week. Donny’s sister Marie Osmond has given him the advice to be prepared to work really hard. He has his stage show with Marie in Vegas as well so he’s incredibly busy doing that and rehearsing for DWTS. He’s in really good shape, slim and toned. And he’s got the right attitude, dedicated to working hard and putting on a show."

Johnson also opined that she thinks that Osmond has the potential to be in the finals. "This time's the lucky one, maybe?!" she hoped. "This time I might get that mirror ball trophy!"

ACTOR ASHLEY HAMILTON WILL DANCE WITH HIS DAD'S FORMER DANCE PARTNER, EDYTA SLIWINSKA

On Monday morning Dancing With the Stars revealed their list of celebrity and professional dancer pairings for Season 9. Now the question is whether they are perfect matches or matches that will not work at all.

Rehearsals are already underway for the first DWTS episode to air on September 21.
No doubt, as the couples begin to spend time gliding across the dance floor or practicing a funky jive, they will begin to figure out and reveal whether they are happy with the new matches.

But actor Ashley Hamilton has already revealed that his partner was a surprise -- professional Edyta Sliwinska. It was actually Sliwinska who instructed his dad, actor George Hamilton, when he was a contestant on the show.



“My partner is a bigger celebrity than I am,” exclaimed Ashley Hamilton, clearly pleased with his pairing.

Singer Mya is likely happy with her new partner, Dmitry Chaplin – meaning that her concern is not her dancing other-half. But she has voiced a different concern – about a fractured foot that she suffered last year. “I had an injury last year, a foot fracture” Mya said in an interview with CY. “I think I need to take the proper precautions in rehearsal and not overdo it and be very smart with what kind of shoes I wear.”

DANCING WITH THE STARS ANNOUNCES CELEBRITY AND PRO PAIRINGS ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA

Dancing With the Stars unveiled their celebrity and professional dancer pairings on the Good Morning America show this morning. The list confirmed our previously leaked matches, and are as follows:

Snowboarder Louis Vito and Chelsie Hightower

Singer Macy Gray with Jonathan Roberts

Actress Melissa Joan Hart with Mark Ballas

Model Kathy Ireland with Tony Dovolani

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Cheryl Burke

Singer Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff

Entertainer Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson

The Osbournes star Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel

Actor Ashley Hamilton and Edyta Sliwinska

Retired Dallas Cowboys star Michael Irvin and new professional dancer Anna Demidova

Olympic gold medalist swimmer Natalie Coughlin and Alex Mazo

Singer Mya and Dmitry Chaplin

Actress Debi Mazar and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Actress Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough

Food network host Mark DaCascos and Lacy Schwimmer

Mixed martial arts fighter Chuck Liddell and Anna Trebunskaya