Meet the new ‘Dancing’ cast

August 31, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

By Yvonne Villarreal

Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES

It’s that time of year again: ABC has unveiled its next batch of “celebs” who will quick-step their way through the 13th season on “Dancing with the Stars.”

And the contestants have a lot to live up to: Season 12 of ABC’s dance contest, which featured contestants such as Kirstie Alley and winner Hines Ward, averaged 22.5 million total viewers — up 4 percent compared with the 11th season, according to the Nielsen Co. — putting the show No. 2 behind “American Idol.”

The new season premieres Monday, Sept. 19.

Here’s a look at the new cast:

Nancy Grace: She’s better known these days as the HLN host who coined the term “tot mom” — and found a way to insert it into every other sentence — in her crusade against Casey Anthony. Now the former prosecutor-turned-TV personality will be judged on her leg extensions and posture. Perhaps this is the beginning of “Fox Trot mom”?

Ricki Lake: Tracy Turnblad is back! Long before she introduced us to women who thought they were “all that” on her syndicated talk show, Lake proved she could wiggle her hips and tap her toes way back when in “Hairspray.” Let’s hope she doesn’t resurrect the beehive hairstyle (or this dance).

Hope Solo: The U.S. women’s soccer star’s stalwart leg muscles are likely to come in handy when the 30-year-old goalie joins the cast. But can she score a mirrorball trophy?

Ron Artest: The Los Angeles Laker forward is putting on his incredibly big dancing shoes to demonstrate his fancy footwork on the reality series. But if his publicist is right, maybe his fancy footwork has its limits.

Elizabetta Canalis: Notice to future ex-girlfriends of George Clooney and stars of “Deuce Bigelow European Gigolo”: This is your future.

Chyna Phillips: The “Bridesmaids” golden touch even extends to one hit wonders. One-third of ’90s pop trio Wilson Phillips — which had a climatic scene in the Kristen Wiig flick — the 43-year-old singer is trying to “Hold On” to a comeback.

David Arquette: He acts. He produces. He designs clothes. He sometimes wrestles. He talks to Howard Stern about his sex life. Now Arquette is going to tango and jive? Let’s hope he doesn’t disclose intimate dancing positions to Stern.

Rob Kardashian: When you’re the only boy in the Kardashian clan, extreme measures need to be taken to prove that you actually exist. For Rob, that means being open to plunging necklines and sequined-lined pants as he follows in sister Kim’s footsteps as a contestant on the show. The dancing gene didn’t make it in Kim’s DNA — as Prince will tell ya — but maybe Rob got lucky.

Chaz Bono: The 42-year-old, who was born Chasity Bono, recently underwent a sex change and is about to see if her rhythm survived the operation.

Kristin Cavallari: More veteran in the reality circuit than all the contestants combined — having appeared on MTV’s “Laguna Beach” and its spin-off “The Hills” — Cavallari now has a gig that will make her red carpet presence slightly more valid. Wonder if she’ll get the vote of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

J.R. Martinez: He plays Brot Monroe in ABC’s “All My Children.” The retired soldier, who suffered severe burns to his body while serving in Iraq, will now see if his resilience can endure glittery outfits and judge Bruno Tonioli’s outbursts.

Carson Kressley: Formerly of Bravo’s “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” Kressely now hosts “Carson’s Nation” on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Given the less-than-stellar performance of the network since its launch, it’s probably a good thing he’s finding other ways to make money.