mark dacascos

mark dacascos
The Iceman, the Chairman, the Hammer and the Witch vs. the Puppy Lover?

This season of Dancing With the Stars could get intense.

After weeks of buzz and rumors, the ninth season's cast is no longer a mystery. Emmy-nominated host Tom Bergeron appeared on Good Morning America today to reveal the record number of stars who will face new restrictions, "ballroom bloodbath" double eliminations and still-inevitable injuries in the hopes of waltzing away with that mirrorball trophy.

Paula Abdul won't be there (she won't be on So You Think You Can Dance, either, if Mary Murphy gets her say), and neither will Hills hottie Audrina Patridge or grieving sister La Toya Jackson.

But who will be sashaying into prime time in a matter of weeks?

Donny Osmond appeared on GMA to assist Bergeron with reading the list of names and announce his own candidacy for ballroom glory. In addition to reminding fans of his sister Marie Osmond's run on the show, he attempted to instill fear in the minds of competitors Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell and Tom "The Hammer" DeLay and sap in the hearts of voters by declaring his move-and-shake moniker, the Puppy Lover.

A few other competitors are keeping the Dancing shoes in the family. Ashley Hamilton, ex-husband of Shannen Doherty and Angie Everhart, is preparing to do his father George Hamilton (and season two's 5th place finisher) proud. Michael Irvin, season three winner Emmitt Smith's Dallas Cowboys' "Triplets" brother, will also don a pair of shiny shoes.

Models Kathy Ireland and Joanna Krupa no doubt hope to bewitch the fans into voting for them over Melissa Joan Hart, Kelly Osbourne or Olympians Natalie Coughlin and Louie Vito. Likewise, we're sure Aaron Carter, Macy Gray and Mya hope to use all their tools to whiz past Iron Chef America's chairman, Mark Dacascos.

Here's the full list of "stars" you'll see during the three-day premiere of Dancing With the Stars, kicking off Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. on ABC...

* Kathy Ireland, 46, model
* Macy Gray, 41, singer
* Melissa Joan Hart, 33, actress
* Mya, 29, singer
* Ashley Hamilton, 34, actor-comedian
* Michael Irvin, 43, football player
* Mark Dacascos, 45, actor and martial artist
* Donny Osmond, 51, entertainer
* Kelly Osbourne, 24, singer
* Debi Mazar, 45, actress
* Chuck Liddell, 39, UFC fighter
* Natalie Coughlin, 26, swimmer
* Joanna Krupa, 30, model
* Louie Vito, 21, snowboarder
* Aaron Carter, 21, singer
* Tom DeLay, 62, former House majority leader