The professional dancers have been announced for Season 11! Here they are in alphabetical order:
Anna Trebunskaya will be paired with Kurt Warner. She is an International Grand Ball Champion, a UK National Champion, a USA Rising Star Latin Champion, a Blackpool Rising Star Latin Finalist, and a USA Amateur Youth Standard Champion. Some of my favorite professional performances have featured Anna with husband Jonathan Roberts. This is Anna's sixth season. She has previously been paired with Jerry Rice with whom she finished second in Season 2, Albert Reed (Season 5), Steve Guttenberg (Season 6), Chuck Liddell (Season 9), and Evan Lysacek with whom she finished second in Season 10.
Corky Ballas will be paired with Florence Henderson. He is a 7 time undefeated US International Latin Champion, an Open to the World International Latin Champion, and a Pro-Am Champion, as well as a respective international teacher. This is Corky's second season. He has previously been paired with Cloris Leachman (Season 7).
Derek Hough will be paired with Jennifer Grey. He is a 2-time DWTS champion, a World under 21 Latin American Champion, a 2-time Open British Blackpool Champion, a 2-time International Open to the World Champion, and a 2-time US Open Champion. This is Derek's 7th season. He has previously been paired with Jennie Garth (Season 5), Shannon Elizabeth (Season 6), Brooke Burke with whom he won Season 7, Lil Kim (Season 8), Joanna Krupa (Season 9), and Nicole Scherzinger with whom he won Season 10.
Karina Smirnoff will be paired with Mike Sorrention. She is a 5-time US National Champion, a World Trophy Champion, and an Asian Open Champion. This is Karina's eighth season. She has previously been paired with Mario Lopez with whom she finished second in Season 3, Billy Ray Cyrus (Season 4), Floyd Mayweather (Season 5), Mario (Season 6), Rocco DiSpirito (Season 7), Steve Wozniak (Season 8), and Aaron Carter (Season 9).
Lacey Schwimmer will be paired with Kyle Massey. She is a World Swing Dance Champion, a 7-time US Open Swing Dance Champion, a US National Youth Latin Champion, an Emerald Ball Youth Latin Champion, and a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance. This is Lacey's fourth season. She has previously been paired with Lance Bass (Season 7), Steve-O (Season 8), and Mark Dacascos (Season 9).
I'm sad that Edyta Sliwinska will not be part of Season 11. She has chosen to pursue other interests. Until this season, Edyta was the only pro dancer to participate in each show. I'll miss her, but I certainly wish her all the best.
So I think I'm back into blogging on a regular basis...maybe. But I find that I don't have as much time in the evenings to make my rounds. So I'll be around to visit y'all as soon as I can!!
Thanks gang!
Well then, I guess I shall be cheering on Derek and Jennifer this season though I may not watch many of the shows. Which is not at all necessary when I get the best recap here complete with no commercial interruptions!