Las Vegas Weekly

August 17, 2009 · 9:51 AM

Donny Osmond, Chuck Liddell among DWTS Season 9 cast

By Don Chareunsy

Chuck Liddell at Tao Beach.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond, appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America this morning, revealed the Season 9 cast of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars, and the singer is following in sister Marie’s footsteps by competing on the show.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Donny Osmond in performance mode and wear.

Vegas DeLuxe readers know that Robin Leach first reported rumors of Donny appearing on DWTS back in January! Click HERE and HERE for two stories.

Photo: Al Powers

Joanna Krupa at Tao Beach.

Among the 16 celebrities, the show’s largest number of contestants to date, with Las Vegas ties alongside Donny are UFC fighter and former light heavyweight champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and singer Kelly Osbourne, a frequent visitor here. Swimsuit model Joanna Krupa also was recently in Las Vegas.

Photo: Tao

Siblings Aaron, Nick and Angel Carter at Tao.

The 16-strong celebrity roster is Donny, Chuck, Kelly, Joanna, singer and actress Mya, ex-NFL wide receiver Michael Irvin, actress Melissa Joan Hart, actress Debi Mazar, Olympic gold medalist swimmer Natalie Coughlin, singer Aaron Carter, GOP politician and former House majority leader Tom DeLay, model Kathy Ireland, actor Ashley Hamilton, Iron Chef America host and actor Mark Dacascos, singer Macy Gray and pro snowboarder Louie Vito.

Chuck and Republican politician Tom have to be the biggest surprises of the new cast, but perhaps Tom will have as surprising a run as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak last season. And here’s to a lot less injured dancers, as well!

Photo: ABC TV

Tom Bergeron, Samantha Harris, Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks.

In a change in the show’s format, there will be three double-elimination weeks in which two celebrities will be voted off in a combination of judges’ scores and audience voting. The judges are Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, although rumors have been circulating that Paul Abdul might have a role after her recent exit from American Idol. Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris serve as co-hosts.

Season 9 kicks off Sept. 21.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

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