Dancing With the Stars on Friday revealed the lineup for its first all-athlete season, and the names are sure to ruffle some feathers.
Former Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding, along with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, among others, will be featured on the show when it premieres April 30.
The 47-year-old Harding was thrust back into the spotlight earlier this year when Margot Robbie portrayed her in the Oscar-winning film I, Tonya. But the athlete first became a household name in 1994 when her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, notoriously orchestrated an attack on Harding’s rival Nancy Kerrigan. (Kerrigan competed on Dancing With the Stars for its 24th season.) Harding, who was convicted for hindering the prosecution and banned for life from the U.S. Figure Skating Association, will dance with Sasha Farber.
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Abdul-Jabbar, the 70-year-old retired basketball icon, played 20 seasons in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks. He will be paired with reigning champion dancer, 24-year-old Lindsay Arnold.
Rippon, 28, inspired fans with his skill and charm at the Pyeongchang winter olympics this year, where he won a bronze medal for team USA. He will be paired with professional dancer Jenna Johnson.
The ten new contestants appeared together in public for the first time on Friday with their professional partners on Good Morning America.
Professional snowboarder Jamie Anderson, basketball player Arike Ogunbowale, Olympic luger Chris Mazder, Olympic softball pitcher Jennie Finch Daigle, former MLB outfielder Johnny Damon, Washington Redskin Josh Norman, and Olympic figure skater Mirai Nagasu will also compete for the Mirror Ball trophy on the show’s 26th season.
