The announcement was made on "Good Morning America" by Tom Bergeron and his new co-host Erin Andrews, who replaces Brooke Burke-Charvet.
We'll see a lot of new things this season, including a new band and a twist called "The Switch Up," in which viewers at home can vote to switch up the cast pairings at some point during the season.
This season will also see the return of pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who was Andrews' dance partner in 2010. He left the series after season 15 but returned as a guest dancer the following season and a guest judge last fall.
The new contestants for the reality competition dance show are:
- Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis, who will be paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy
- Olympic ice dancer Charlie White, who will be paired with Sharna Burgess
- Actress Danica McKellar, best known as Winnie Cooper from "The Wonder Years," who will be paired with Valentin Chmerkovskiy
- Actress Candace Cameron Bure, best known as D.J. Tanner on "Full House," who will be paired with Mark Ballas
- Double-amputee snowboarding champ Amy Purdy, who will be paired with reigning season 17 pro champ Derek Hough
- Swimming legend Diana Nyad, who will be paired with Henry Byalikov, a first-time professional partner coming from the troupe
- Australian pop singer Cody Simpson, who will be paired with Witney Carson, a first-time professional partner
- Former NHL star Sean Avery, who will be paired with Karina Smirnoff
- Nickelodeon star and "Big Time Rush" singer James Maslow, who will be paired with Peta Murgatroyd
- "Real Housewives of Atlanta" reality star-turned sitcom actress NeNe Leakes, who will be paired with Tony Dovolani
- Actor Billy Dee Williams, who will be paired with Emma Slater
- Comedian and actor Drew Carey, who will be paired with Cheryl Burke
Carey says he looks forward to the challenges and is excited to be paired up with Burke.
"I'm not afraid to take chances. I like doing new things. I like challenging myself. Especially now that I've lost the weight, now I can try physical things to challenge myself," said Carey.
The new "Dancing With The Stars" season starts March 17 at 8 p.m. on ABC7.
