Bristol Palin and Hasselhoff join “Dancing With the Stars”
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) ñ Bristol Palin, daughter of conservative powerbroker Sarah Palin, will test her dance moves against former “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff and R&B singer Brandy in the new season of “Dancing with the Stars.”
The lineup for the 11th season of the TV dancing contest, set to premiere on September 20, will also include crooner Michael Bolton, reality TV star Mike Sorrentino, and actress Jennifer Grey, who twirled to fame in the film “Dirty Dancing.”
Palin, 19, a single mom, is following in the reality TV footsteps of her former fiance, Levi Johnston, whose small-screen adventures involve running for political office in Alaska — and whose off-screen adventures have put him at odds with her mother.
She said she hoped her mother, the former Alaska governor and U.S. vice presidential candidate, would be on hand to watch her pair up with a professional dancer on the ballroom floor and compete against other celebrity/dancer couples.
“She’s excited for me. She knows this is going to be hard work,” Palin said as the lineup for the show was announced on ABC on Monday.
Since giving birth to a son Tripp in December 2008, Palin has featured in entertainment shows, magazines, and made her acting debut on a U.S. TV show centered around teenage pregnancy. Her ex- fiance has appeared in “Playgirl” and on various TV shows.
“Dancing with the Stars” was the second-biggest show on TV last season, behind “American Idol,” averaging 20 million viewers. Reigning champ is Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger who teamed with dancer Derek Hough.
For the 11th season, Palin will be joined by a host of well-known names, including Hasselhoff, who quit his job as a judge on “America’s Got Talent” earlier this year after four years and a public struggle with alcohol abuse.
From the reality TV world, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino from “Jersey Shore” will enhance his growing profile along with actress Audrina Patridge from “The Hills.”
Fans of the TV family sitcom “The Brady Brunch” will be able to watch actress and TV talk show host Florence Henderson, 76, who played Carol Brady in the popular 1970s show.
Fellow contestant Jennifer Grey said at the announcement she doubted she would have an advantage from her dance training opposite the late Patrick Swayze in the 1987 film.
“I’m 50. It’s been a lot of years since then,” she said.
Former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, retired basketball player Rick Fox, comedian Margaret Cho and teen U.S. actor Kyle Massey from Disney show “Cory in the House” completed the lineup.
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