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“Dancing With the Stars” always is about couples, but even more so this season.
Several entrants have personal ties as the eighth season of the ABC contest waltzes in Monday. Among new contenders is singer Chuck Wicks, teamed with his girlfriend, “Dancing” pro Julianne Hough. Engaged dancers Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy also will be back.
Rodeo champ Ty Murray and musician Jewel, who wed in August, also were touted as dancing lovebirds this season, but on Thursday, Us Weekly reported that Playboy Playmate Holly Madison would be stepping in for Jewel, who is bowing out from tendinitis brought on by intense rehearsals.
Other new competitors: former Go-Go’s singer Belinda Carlisle, actor-comedian David Alan Grier, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, rapper Lil’ Kim, actor Gilles Marini (“Sex and the City: The Movie”), MTV personality Steve-O, actress Denise Richards, NFL legend Lawrence Taylor and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
ABC announced Thursday that “Access Hollywood” co-host Nancy O’Dell also was injured and would not be competing. She’ll appear Monday on the debut, where her replacement will be announced.
The weekly performance shows on Mondays again will be followed by a “Results Show” on Tuesdays starting March 17.
Murray and, purportedly, Madison will have “Dancing With the Stars” first-timers as partners, Dmitry Chaplin with her and Chelsie Hightower with him.
Richards (who also is continuing her E! reality show, “Denise Richards: It’s Complicated”) isn’t worried about the inevitable attention that will go to the real-life couples, such as her dance partner Chmerkovskiy: “He and Karina have been competing against each other for years. He says that for him, it’s just work.”
Richards is just surprised she’s dancing at all. She recalls being kicked out of tap class as a 3-year-old “because I was so bad.”
“I finally decided to get over that, and everyone I’ve talked to who has done the show – Brooke Burke (last season’s winner), Lisa Rinna, Lance Bass – said it was the best experience they’ve ever had.”
