Who Danced with the Stars this Year

Remember when regular people didn't know the difference between the rumba, waltz and jive?

America's favorite dancing instruction show returned in August for the 28th season.

Lauren Alaina

Lauren Alaina‘s second-place finish on American Idol in season 10 paved the way for a platinum-selling country music career. Her critically-acclaimed sophomore album, Road Less Traveled, landed on multiple “Best of” lists, including Billboard, Rolling Stone and Amazon, and it became the top-streamed female country album release of 2017.

Christie Brinkley

It was reported that Christie Brinkley, 65, broke her arm during rehearsals and has been replaced by her daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Coo, 21. Supermodel, author and entrepreneur Christie Brinkley has appeared on more than 500 magazine covers worldwide across 45 years in the beauty industry. She has become the first model to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated for three consecutive years. Brinkley is also an actress and recently starred in the revival of Chicago as Roxie Hart. (And we can’t forget her guest appearance as Jerry Gergich’s shockingly gorgeous wife on Parks & Recreation!)

Ally Brooke

Many first met Ally Brooke as a solo contestant on The X Factor, and then as a member of the assembled group Fifth Harmony. After the group announced its indefinite hiatus in 2018, she signed with Atlantic Records and is preparing to release her solo debut album.

Hannah Brown

Hannah Brown first appeared to America on Colton Underwood’s season of The Bachelor. The 2018 Miss Alabama recently wrapped her memorable run as The Bachelorette in the show’s milestone 15th season on ABC, which soared to new ratings highs thanks to her genuine personality and dramatic season finale.

Karamo Brown

The current culture expert on Queer Eye made his TV debut in The Real World in 2004, becoming the first out gay black man on reality television. Karamo is also an activist for black and gay rights and was the recipient of the 2018 Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award.

Kate Flannery

Kate Flannery is most well-known for her role as office lush Meredith on the critically-acclaimed comedy The Office. The actress currently is performing with Emmy-winner Jane Lynch in their anti-cabaret act “Two Lost Souls,” which has toured over 40 cities in the past four years.

Ray Lewis

Former NFL linebacker Ray Lewis is considered to be one of the best Baltimore Ravens players of all time. Winning a Super Bowl MVP Award, as well as the title of NFL Defensive Player of the Year multiple times, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 on the fifth anniversary of his final game. Sports stars have historically performed well on DWTS so we can’t wait to see him on the dance floor.

Kel Mitchell

The actor and comedian broke onto the scene on Nickelodeon shows All That and Kenan & Kel. His friendship with current SNL star Kenan Thompson made its way onto the big screen with the film Good Burger. He is currently the executive producer for a revival of All That that premiered in June.

Lamar Odom

The former L.A. Laker won multiple NBA championships and was named Sixth Man of the Year in 2011. He is also well-known for his marriage to Khloé Kardashian from 2009 to 2016, which was showcased on their reality series Khloé & Lamar. In 2015, Lamar Odom fell into a coma due to cocaine addiction and has since recovered and obtained drug treatment.

Sean Spicer

The former White House press secretary made his mark as one of the most recognized staffers early in the Trump administration. He’s worked for more than 20 years in various government positions, including serving as the communications director of the Republican National Committee. His tenure in 2017 sparked controversy and even spawned a recurring SNL skit featuring Melissa McCarthy as Spicer.

James Van Der Beek

James Van Der Beek is most well-known for his role in Varsity Blues and as the titular role in the six-season teen drama Dawson’s Creek. His most recent stints including parts in Pose, CSI: Cyber and as a fictionalized version of himself in the cult sitcom Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.

Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson is a founder and the longest-lasting member of the singing group The Supremes, the No. 1 female recording group of all time. Her work has earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The singer has kept busy since the group disbanded in 1977, penning several books and turning to activism.