ABC will put all the contestant rumors to rest Tuesday on "Good Morning America" when the network announces the celebrity lineup for season 16 of its mega-hit reality dancing competition, "Dancing With The Stars."
The 12 cast members of "DWTS" will be announced live then, capping off weeks of speculation as to which celebrities will take to the ballroom floor.
Urgent: High Gas Prices: Is it Obama's Fault? Vote Now
ABC has only officially confirmed one contestant. In a promo that aired Sunday night during the Academy Awards telecast, it was revealed that wide receiver Jacoby Jones, who is fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Baltimore Ravens, will be one of the dancers featured in this round of competition.
Sources close to the show reportedly revealed the identities of four more contestants to
TMZ: "American Idol" season five alumna Kellie Pickler, "The Bachelor" Sean Lowe, 2012 Olympic gold medal gymnast Aly Raisman, and country star Wynonna Judd.
ABC execs are looking forward to
a new batch of talent after last year's ratings drop. Season 15 featured repeat competitors in an all-star themed season, which ABC entertainment chief Paul Lee said contributed to a "disappointing" ratings tumble.
"I think the All-Star version made it a little bit older," Lee told reporters during ABC's Winter Press Tour in January. "I think we have the ability of casting fresh and bringing in the younger audience again."
Some viewers have also complained that when each contestant is a really good dancer, the show is not as interesting to watch because there's no differentiation in the performances.
"Clearly people love to see the journey as much as they love to see the competition and if you pick only the winners, for which I take responsibility, they're all gonna be great dancers," Lee said. "People want to see the journey and that's something that we've done very, very well in each season — some better than others — and we'll be able to do that just by going back to our normal way of casting."
Urgent: High Gas Prices: Is it Obama's Fault? Vote Now
"DWTS" season 16 will once again be co-hosted by Emmy-winner Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke-Charvet. The show is slated for a two-hour premiere on Monday, March 18, at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
Related stories:
Tim Tebow Turns Down 'The Bachelor,' 'Dancing With the Stars'
Nancy Grace Loses 10 Pounds on 'Dancing With the Stars'
O'Donnell Won't Be on 'Dancing With the Stars'