ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is now in its 33rd season since premiering in 2005.
Many personalities from the entertainment, sports and political world have competed for the Mirrorball trophy, and this season is no exception, with four athletes signing up to show their skills on the dance floor.
Current and former athletes Dwight Howard, Danny Amendola, Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher will all try to become the 13th athlete to win the competition.
Season 33 premiered on Tuesday night, and next week, there will be a double elimination round in which two of the 13 contestants will be voted off.
Athletes competing on Dancing with the Stars this season
Dwight Howard, former NBA center
Howard played 18 seasons in the NBA, during which time he was an eight-time All-Star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-NBA First Team selection.
Danny Amendola, former NFL receiver
Amendola played for five NFL teams during his career, most notably the New England Patriots, where he won two Super Bowl championships.
Stephen Nedoroscik, Olympic gymnast
Nedoroscik is best known as the ‘pommel horse guy’ for his performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics. He won two bronze medals for the United States in the men’s artistic team all-around and the pommel horse.
Ilona Maher, Team USA rugby player
Maher, who is known for throwing devastating stiff arms during her rugby play, helped the United States win the first-ever Olympic medal in the sport, taking home the bronze.
Athletes to win Dancing with the Stars
Emmitt Smith, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, season 3
Apolo Ohno, Olympic gold medal-winning speed skater, season 4
Hélio Castroneves, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner, season 5
Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater, season 6
Shawn Johnson, Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast, season 7
Hines Ward, former NFL receiver and Super Bowl champion, season 12
Donald Driver, former NFL receiver and Super Bowl champion, season 14
Meryl Davis, Olympic gold medal-winning ice dancer, season 18
Laurie Hernandez, Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast, season 23
Rashad Jennings, former NFL running back, season 24
Adam Rippon, Olympic bronze medal-winning figure skater, season 26
Iman Shumpert, former guard and NBA champion, season 30