"Dancing With The Stars" is back for its 18th season and this time its bringing a slew of famous celebs and athletes bound to make the competition even more fierce.
Athletes such as Amy Purdy, Meryl Davis, Charlie White and Sean Avery joins the roster of TV personalities and singers and with the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics having just wrapped up late last month, their presence is bound to get more viewers for "Dancing With The Stars" Season 18.
That's not the only twist the "Dancing With The Stars" producers of the show have thought up however, with longtime host Brooke Burke-Charvet having recently been replaced by sports reporter Erin Andrews.
Excited to know more about the "Dancing With The Stars" Season 18 cast? Check out their bios below:
Meryl Davis
Meryl Davis, one half of the ice dancing pair that won gold in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, is ready to show off some major dancing skills off the ice. Davis, 27, has been skating with partner Charlie White, 26, since 1997. While they won't be paired together on the show, the breakout Sochi stars will be fierce competition.
"I think we're excited for a little healthy competition," Davis said today on "GMA," adding that the trash talk between the two is "brewing."
Pro Partner: Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Charlie White
Davis' partner and fellow Sochi Winter Olympics gold medalist Charlie White will trade skates his skates for dancing shoes this season.
“The way you move is completely different,” White explained. The skater said he's excited to try something new -- especially tackling the Tango.
Pro Partner: Sharna Burgess
Candace Cameron Bure
The actress, who broke out as a child star as D.J. Tanner on the hit '90s series "Full House," is also a New York Times best-selling author and mom of three.v"I'm a great wedding dancer. That's when I dance, so I have my little Carlton move. I'm going to bank on that," she joked on "GMA."
Don't be surprised to see Bure's "Full House" co-stars cheering her on in the ballroom. "I know they will," she said. "They're big supporters."
Pro Partner: Mark Ballas
Danica McKellar
Best known as Winnie Cooper on "The Wonder Years," the actress turned-mathematician and best-selling author for her line of "Math Doesn't Suck" books, brings her brains and acting chops to the ballroom.
"I hope they’ll be there for me,” McKellar said of her "Wonder Years" fan base. "I've been a fan of ‘Dancing With The Stars’ since the very beginning. I'm just thrilled and I hope to do a good job."
Pro Partner: Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Diana Nyad
The swimming legend, who became the first person to complete a historic 110-mile swim from Cuba to Key West in September 2013 on her fifth attempt, brings her determination and fearlessness to the competition.
"The absurd thing is that in my little circle of friends, I'm the dancer. Now that I'm here ... I'm so miserable at this, it's beyond words,” she said today on "GMA."
Pro Partner: Henry Byalikov, a first-time professional partner hailing from the troupe.
NeNe Leakes
The breakout "Real Housewives of Atlanta" reality queen-turned sitcom actress brings her bold personality to the ballroom.
“I’m going to go for it … I’m so excited. I love clothes so I can’t wait to wear one of those things,” she said, pointing to a dancer’s costume.
Pro Partner: Tony Dovolani
Cody Simpson
17-year-old Australian pop singer Cody is ready to take the stage and showcase his dancing skills. Since breaking out into the music scene, he's garnered more than 12 million combined Twitter and Facebook followers and nearly 200 million YouTube views while on tour.
Simpson said his dance moves aren’t bad, but “I’m trying to learn this whole Latin thing. I’ve got to learn how to move my hips.”
Pro Partner: Witney Carson, a first-time pro.
Drew Carey
Comedian Drew Carey isn't just a funny man, he's got a few awesome moves hidden under those sleeves. He's known for long-running shows, "The Drew Carey Show" and "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" went on to host "The Price Is Right," but for "Dancing With The Stars" Season 18, he'll bring some groove into the foray.
"Since I've lost the weight, ['Dancing' is] all I’ve wanted to do," Carey said.
Pro Partner: Cheryl Burke
Amy Purdy
Amy Purdy, a double-amputee snowboarding champ who lost both of her legs at the age of 19 to meningitis, hasn't let her condition stand in the way of success. As the first Paralympian to ever compete in "Dancing With The Stars," this world champion will give the other contestants a run for their money.
"I can't wait to start dancing," Purdy said in a recorded video message since she's competing in the Paralympics for Team USA.
Pro Partner: Derek Hough
"She's an incredibly amazing courageous woman and she's all about defying the odds," said Hough, a five-time champ.
Sean Avery
Former NHL star Sean Avery is the first hockey player in "DWTS" history. Avery played left wing for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, and the New York Rangers, and was known as his team's "enforcer" and for his unpredictable on-ice antics.
Pro Partner: Karina Smirnoff
Billy Dee Williams
Dubbed the "black Clark Gable" for roles in "Lady Sings the Blues," opposite Diana Ross, and 1975's "Mahogany," the iconic actor has played numerous characters during his storied career, including scoundrel Lando Calrissian in the "Star Wars" trilogy.
"This is my last hoorah," said Williams.
Pro Partner: Emma Slater
James Maslow
"Big Time Rush" singer and Nickelodeon star James Maslow certainly knows a thing or two about performing in front of millions of people, having performed for sold-out concerts all over the U.S. before. "I can't say I've ever Fox-trotted on tour, but I'm trying now," he explained.
Pro Partner: Peta Murgatroyd
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