Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Preview 

ABC recently announced the new cast for Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars. There seems to be a lot of athletes on the list including not one but two Gold medalists from the recent Rio Olympics. There are also some familiar faces returning to the ballroom: pro dancers Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Cheryl Burke and Derek Hough! Plus, Derek’s sister Julianne Hough is back as a judge. All of this is good news.

Okay, time to break down the couples:

Amber Rose and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Amber is known for being outspoken. Maksim is also known for being outspoken. This partnership can go two ways. They will either love each other and be besties, or they’ll hate each other and it will be a disaster. But I am thinking it will be the first of the two because we have to be positive about this. And Maksim is about to be a father for the first time so he might have gotten softer in how he handles things (that’s a big “might”). As far as Amber being a solid dancer, I think there is a very good chance that will happen.

Calvin Johnson Jr. and Lindsay Arnold

I don’t really know Calvin. But he is a former football player and most athletes do well on the show. Lindsay’s performed really well the last two seasons with her partners, so that’s a plus. Let’s call this team-up a wait-and-see-kind of situation.

Jake T. Austin and Jenna Johnson

Jake is the teen dream for the season. He’s known for a show on the Disney Channel called Wizards of Waverly Place that also starred this girl named Selena Gomez (you might know her). He was also the voice of Diego from Go! Diego Go! (Ask kids or teens) Jenna has been a part of the DWTS Troupe and this is her first season as a pro.

James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess
Again, I don’t know who James is but, as it turns out, he’s a popular race car driver. We have seen a few speedsters make it into the Mirror Ball competition. Most notably, Hélio Castroneves who won the Season 5 trophy. Sharna has proved to be an excellent teacher as well as outstanding choreographer. Isn’t it time for Sharna to snag the Mirror Ball? I hope that James steps up his game!

Jana Kramer and Gleb Savchenko
Jana Kramer is an award winning country music star so we know right off the bat she will have musicality going for her. But will that transfer to her dancing? Country fans are very loyal and I see Jana at least being around after the first week. Last time Gleb was a pro, his partner was Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, Lisa Vanderpump. I have a feeling this experience will be a bit different for Gleb.

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Allison Holker

Babyface is a Grammy-award winning R&B singer, songwriter, musician and producer. He has a talent for music but, like Jana Kramer, will it transfer into his dancing? Allison Holker is back this season after taking last season off to have a baby. She is another pro that has been in the finals but has not yet won that Mirror Ball trophy. Will Babyface help her achieve this goal?

Laurie Hernandez and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Just off the Rio Olympics where she won two medals, Laurie Hernandez is coming into DWTS with a lot of momentum. She’s probably the only one that I have a strong feeling will last until the end. Val, of course, has won one Mirror Ball trophy. He’s also been in the finals a couple of times. He’s a great teacher and choreographer so this could be the team to beat.

Marilu Henner and Derek Hough

First of all, Derek wasn’t supposed to be back this season and I know that I’m not the only one who is super excited that he will be on the dance floor. Marilu is a lucky, lucky lady. I know she has been on Broadway and has rhythm. The other thing she has is a perfect memory so learning the steps might come natural to her. Meanwhile, Derek has won this thing six times! No pressure but he knows how to work with all of his partners’ strengths and make them the best they can be. I think these two are a couple to watch.

Maureen McCormick and Artem Chigvintsev

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha…I know everyone is using that! I’m actually very excited that about this lady since I have been watching reruns of the Brady Brunch since I was a baby. Maureen’s TV mom was once a part of the cast, so will Maureen step it up and do better then Florence Henderson aka Mrs. Brady? Artem is a good teacher and, more than that, he deserves someone that wants to be there! I’m very excited to see how they do.

Gov. Rick Perry and Emma Slater

Putting aside politics, because that’s not what we are about, Rick is not the only government official to appear on DWTS. Unfortunately, those gentlemen have not had the best record but that doesn’t mean that Gov. Perry will do badly. Emma has pulled off miracles in the past and she knows how to make non-dancers better. She will have a lot of work to do but if anyone can make a politician a dancer, it’s her.

Ryan Lochte and Cheryl Burke
Ryan, Ryan, Ryan…he’s been in the news a lot lately. I hope people give him a chance. As I wrote earlier, athletes tend to do well because of all their training. I don’t know how it will transfer from swimming, but we will watch and see. Cheryl is back after being gone for three seasons. The two-time DWTS winner knows how to teach and choreograph like nobody’s business.

Terra Jolé and Sasha Farber

Terra is the one of the stars of Little Women: LA and Terra’s Little Family. This is the first time a little person will be competing as part of Dancing with the Stars. We have seen people with disabilities go past their own expectations. Look at what happened last season with Nyle! He was deaf and won with his partner, Peta Murgatroyd. Sasha has been great with his partners and I’m sure he will continue this tradition. Sasha and Terra seem to be a good pairing. I think she will be fantastic!

Vanilla Ice and Witney Carson
Ice, Ice, Baby! Vanilla Ice, Ice, Baby. Well of course that was the first thing I thought of when I heard Rob Van Winkle was putting on his dancing shoes. A rapper and home renovation specialist, Ice has shown some moves in the past. Witney has done pretty well as a pro and as long as Ice listens to her, I think they will be okay.

What are your thoughts on the new cast this season? Who do you want to win?

We will find out when Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars premieres on Monday Sept. 12 on ABC.