With less than two weeks until the S eason 14 premiere of "Dancing with the Stars," it's high time we get to know the new cast a little better! As they prepare to trip the light fantastic, here are 12 fun facts about the latest "DWTS" cast.
Melissa Gilbert
"Little House on the Prairie's" former Half Pint had some big shoes to fill back in 2001 when she won the seat of Screen Actor's Guild president. Her opponent? Another 1970s star, Valerie Harper of "Mary Tyler Moore" and "Rhoda" fame.
Jack Wagner
He was a heartthrob on the long-running soap "General Hospital" (playing one half of super couple Frisco and Felecia Jones), and his real-life recording career spawned a hit single in 1985 with "All I Need." But did you know that this former idol was the subject of a fictional book? Elise Juska's "Getting Over Jack Wagner" tells of an adult woman who can't find a guy that comes close to her original rock star crush.
Gavin DeGraw
The singer songwriter has quite a connection with the CW drama series "One Tree Hill." Not only is his hit song "I Don't Want To Be" the show's theme song, but DeGraw has appeared in several episodes of the series, and his songs can be found on nearly a dozen of the show's soundtracks. You can check out the "One Tree Hill" opening theme here.
Maria Menounos
The former "Access Hollywood" correspondent was the first journalist to interview the Obama family as a whole, but here's another scoop: In 2006, Menounos appeared in the star-studded music video for Jessica Simpson's "A Public Affair." Check out Maria's stint as a video vixen here.
Donald Driver
He's a four-time pro bowler and Super Bowl champ, but Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver has a way with words, too. Driver has published several children's books based on the bedtime tales that he tells his own children.
Martina Navratilova
The famed tennis pro spoofed herself on a classic episode of the PBC children's series "Sesame Street." In the sketch, Navratilova went under, over, around, and through the net in her match with "Sesame Street" Fix-It Shop owner, Luis.
Roshon Fegan
The Disney "Shake It Up" star is also a rapper. According to People, the hip-hopper writes empowering rhymes (stay in school because education is "cool"), and he recently put together an electro remix of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep." (Listen to it here!)
Jaleel White
Fans know him as Urkel from the 1990s sitcom "Family Matters," but did you know that former child star Jaleel White used to work with his "DWTS" competitor, Gladys Knight? White starred with Knight and comedian Flip Wilson in the 1985 sitcom "Charlie & Company." After the "DWTS" cast announcement, he gave fans a reminder with this tweet: "So honored to be reunited with my first TV mom Gladys Knight."
Katherine Jenkins
She's a little bit classical and a little bit rock 'n' roll! The Welsh singer may be known for her "popera" singing style, but she has also recorded a cover of Evanescence's "Bring Me to Life" and Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry." As for her own iPod playlist, the former school teacher told RedHanded Magazine she listens to Pixie Lott, Take That, Beyonce, Kanye West, Pussycat Dolls, and Tinchy Stryder.
William Levy
Is America ready for "the Latin Brad Pitt"? According to People, that's this guy. But you may know this People Español cover boy from his steamy stint in Jennifer Lopez' "I'm Into You" music video.
Gladys Knight
She may be known for her soulful singing voice, but how about some soul food? The southern food eatery Gladys and Ron's Chicken & Waffles is named after Gladys Knight and pal Ron Winans. Menu items include the Midnight Train, which consists of four southern fried jumbo chicken wings and an original waffle.
Sherri Shepherd
"The View" co-host had long made it known that she wanted to sign on to "Dancing With the Stars," but when producers came calling in Season 13 Sherri Shepherd just said no. According to TMZ, Shepherd's wedding planning and "View" schedule left her no time to trip the light fantastic last fall. Fast forward six months later, and it appears the honeymoon is over and she's ready to rumba!
"Dancing With the Stars" Season 14 premieres on March 19 on ABC.
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