Articles

Black stars on ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Category: Entertainment Published on Friday, 20 April 2012 10:10 Written by Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Urkel, the Empress of Soul and one of the Green Bay Packers are waltzing onto “Dancing With the Stars.”

“Family Matters” actor Jaleel White, singer Gladys Knight and National Football League player Donald Driver are among the 12 celebrity contestants on the next season of the ABC dancing competition. Other famous faces participating in the 14th edition include “The View” co-host Sherri Shepherd, singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw, “Little House on the Prairie” actress Melissa Gilbert and Disney Channel star Roshon Fegan.

GLADYS KNIGHT

The new cast, which also includes tennis player Martina Navratilova, “Melrose Place” actor Jack Wagner, telenovela star William Levy, operatic singer Katherine Jenkins and “Extra” co-host Maria Menounos, was announced Tuesday on “Good Morning America.” The contestants danced their first routines with their professional partners last month and the first couple were eliminated.

Last season, actor J.R. Martinez and professional partner Karina Smirnoff took home the mirrorball trophy with reality TV star Rob Kardashian and partner Cheryl Burke coming in second place in front of former talk show host Ricki Lake and partner Derek Hough. Other previous champions include “Dirty Dancing” actress Jennifer Grey, Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger and gymnast Shawn Johnson.