Dancing with the Stars Australia is returning on February 18 and has a new home on Channel 10. It also has new hosts, new judges, and a stellar new cast of performers ready to strut their stuff on the dance floor.
First, let’s meet our hosts, Grant Denyer and Amanda Keller.
All embedded images are from the official Dancing with the Stars Australia Instagram account.
Amanda Keller And Grant Denyer
WSFM radio hostess Amanda Keller is one half of the Jonesy and Amanda in the Morning show. Amanda competed in the fifth season and was eliminated in the fifth week when the show aired on Channel 7. She’s the second host of the sixteenth season.
Former Channel 7 Sunrise weatherman turned Channel 10 game show host Grant Denyer will host the new season. When the show aired on Channel 7, he participated in the fourth season, winning.
Sharna Burgess, Tristan MacManus, and Craig Revel Horwood
Our new judges are all from the dance community.
Sharna Burgess has performed as a professional dance partner on the US DWTS and was a member of the Burn the Floor trope. She also performed in the 2000 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony.
Tristan MacManus is from Ireland, has been on tour with Mrs Brown’s Boys, and has appeared on the US version of Dancing with the Stars and the British edition of Strictly Come Dancing. He now lives in Australia with his Australian wife.
Craig Revel Horwood is no stranger to the Dancing judging panel. He has served as a judge on the New Zealand Dancing with the Stars and Strictly Come Dancing. Horwood also choreographed the final scene in the family film Paddington 2. He was born in Victoria and lives in the UK.
1. Cassandra Thorburn
Former journalist turned children’s author Cassandra Thorburn has been partnered with Marco de Angelis.
2. Sir Curtly Ambrose
A former West Indies Cricketer, Curtly Ambrose, is getting ready to strut his stuff with dance partner Siobhan Power.
3. Samuel Johnson
Actor and cancer campaigner Samuel Johnson is gearing up to honour his late sister Connie as he dances to victory with Jorja Freeman.
4. Courtney Act
Courtney Act is the drag queen alias of Shane Jenek. This is the first time in Dancing with the Star history a male competitor (in drag) will dance with a male partner. Courtney will take to the floor with dance partner Joshua Keefe. Shane will be the persona attending rehearsals while Courtney will take to the dance floor.
5. Jett Kenny
You might not know his name at first, but you might
6. Michelle Bridges
Fitness guru Michelle Bridges takes her first steps onto the dance floor with DWTS
7. Denise Scott
Funny lady, actress, and Studio Ten panellist Denise Scott is the oldest cast member, but that won’t stop her from showing Australia what she’s got. Her partner is Jeremy Garner, whose sister, Amanda Garner, was the dance partner of host Grant Denyer in Season 4 when the show aired on Channel 7.
8. Jimmy Rees
Adults might not know him, but kids know him as Jimmy Giggles. Jimmy will make his dancing debut with his dance partner Alexandra Vladimirov.
9. Miguel Maestre
Everybody’s favourite Crazy Bull and one of Amanda Keller’s Living Room cohorts and don’t forget chief, Miguel Maestre, is dusting off those sequins for his turn on the dance floor with partner Megan Wragg.
10. Olympia Valance
Neighbours fans know her as young mother Paige Smith, but Olympia Valance is moving away from her Ramsay Street roots. She is set to make her dancing mark with her dance partner and Dancing with the Stars vet, Jarryd Byrne.
11. Constance Hall
Author and social media influencer Constance Hall is ready to show she can hold her own on the dance floor. Her partner is Gustavo Viglio.
Returning Professional Dancers From Previous Seasons
- Jorja Freeman
- Joshua Keefe
- Aric Yegudkin
- Jarryd Byrne
New Professional Dancers
- Marco de Angelis
- Siobhan Power
- Lily Cornish
- Jeremy Garner
- Alexandra Vladimirov
- Megan Wragg
- Gustavo Viglio
Music
It’s unknown whether Chong Lim will return as musical director.
Also, the theme song to the series has changed to The Greatest Show; the first song featured in the musical film, The Greatest Showman.
The version of The Greatest Show is from the Reimagined Greatest Showman soundtrack, performed by Panic! At the Disco.
Will The Series Air Live? If So, When And What Time?
Yes! The series will air live on Channel 10 beginning February 18 at 7:30 pm.
Where Will The Series Air Live From?
It’s unclear whether the series will be broadcast from Melbourne or Sydney. When Studio 10 spoke to Denise Scott, she was rehearsing in Melbourne. However, they also spoke to Michelle Bridges, who was rehearsing in Sydney. So it’s likely that it will broadcast from Melbourne, but it might not.
Conclusion
Dust off those sequined costumes and those Latin dance heels because you’ll be up off your lounge dancing with our favourite celebrities. Here’s a glimpse at the promo trailer for the upcoming series:
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Dancing with the Stars Australia debuts on Channel 10 tomorrow at 7:30 pm.
