Perry Heading To "Dancing With The Stars" Stage
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) - The next season of "Dancing With The Stars" will have a Texas flair as former Gov. Rick Perry puts on his dancing boots and tries to two-step his way into the hearts of viewers. ET Online first reported the casting Monday before it was officially announced on Tuesday morning.
Show host Tom Bergeron on Tuesday poked fun at Perry's infamous "oops" moment during the announcement, recalling that time during a GOP debate when the the former Texas politician forgot which three government agencies he would shut down if elected to the White House.
Bergeron also recalled the last time that a Texas politican appeared on the dancing show. Former Rep. Tom DeLay was on the program's ninth season, partnered with professional Cheryl Burke. The pair had to withdraw in the season's fourth week after DeLay suffered a fracture in his foot. Bergeron joked that he hopes to see Perry perform better.
Perry has been partnered with professional dancer Emma Slater, who has previously worked with stars such as race car driver Michael Waltrip, musician Redfoo, comedian Bill Engvall and actor Billy Dee Williams.
Speaking about his upcoming appearance on the dancing show, Perry said that he plans to use it as an opportunity to help out the country's veterans. "I'm dedicated to doing everything I can to help build awareness for improving the lives of our nation's veterans, and I'm going to use 'Dancing With The Stars' as a stage -- literally and figuratively -- to do that. I'm excited to have some fun, dance and probably get into the best shape I've been since I served in the Air Force," he said.
The former Republican presidential candidate is not the only announced celebrity with Texas ties. Joining him on the ABC hit competition show will be rapper Vanilla Ice, known by some in North Texas as Robby Van Winkle. He graduated in 1986 from R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton.
Other celebrities stepping on the dance floor for the show's 23rd season include singer Babyface, actress Marilu Henner, NFL player Calvin Johnson, country singer Jana Kramer, teen heartthrob Jake T. Austin, IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, reality star Terra Jole, model Amber Rose and actress Maureen McCormick.
A pair of Olympians will round out the cast. American gymnast Laurie Hernandez -- part of the famed Final Five -- will hit the floor along with U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte. Prior to the formal cast announcement, Lochte was on "Good Morning America" to talk about his legal issues surrounding a drunken night in Rio de Janeiro, and the lies he admits to telling afterward. Lochte said that hopes a stint on "Dancing With The Stars" will help him -- and the public -- move past that incident.
