ABC/Craig SjodinThe new castmembers of Dancing With the Stars are ready to shimmy and shake their way to the top!
Now that we've already met the season 17 DWTS cast, and seen their official cast photos, it's time to find out how these stars are preparing for their grand ballroom debut. From twists and turns, late-night rehearsals and costume fittings, it takes a lot to be mentally and physically prepared for DWTS. (Note: A love of sequins is not a requirement, but it is strongly suggested.)
We caught up with Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Jack Osborne, Amber Riley and many more mirror-ball-winning hopefuls on the DWTS red carpet early Wednesday morning to find out what they are most looking forward to, (and what they're most dreading!) on the dance floor.
Former Glee regular Riley is hoping her background in show-choir performances on the hit Fox musical will give her the confidence to face the harsh words from the judges table. "I'm dreading the judges," she said. "I'm kind of dreading the very first dance. I think that's going to be a little scary, but I'm also looking forward to the first dance, if that makes any sense. It's like a double kind of feeling."
Following in Kelly Osbourne's DWTS footsteps, Jack Osbourne is hoping that he will be able to learn from his sister's dancing experience and as well as bring awareness to a very important disease.
"There's a few reasons why I did Dancing With the Stars. Obviously my sister had done it and I was very aware of the process and kind of how grueling and awesome it can be," the former reality star noted. "And part of it is, since getting my MS diagnosis and kind of being very outspoken about it, I see this as a platform to continue to raise awareness."
Jersey Shore's Snooki is ready to put her drunk antics behind her and hopes to put her best foot forward in this competition as a new mother. "Yeah, I was a hot mess," Polizzi recalled of her time in on the MTV reality show. "Well, I'm not drunk here and I'm not a hot mess. I'm a mommy and I'm having fun with this, so it's different."
And of course, who could forget Bill Nye, everyone's favorite Science Guy?! The man who made science class bearable reveals that his vast knowledge for anything and everything will be a huge advantage for him in this competition. "I became an engineer because I love physics, physics is the study of motion, and we're all moving when you dance," he said. (Side note: We're currently crossing our fingers and toes that Nye will dance to the catchy theme song that we all know and love.)
Take a look at our full interviews above to find how Valerie Harper, Elizabeth Berkley and the rest of the DWTS newbies are preparing for their dancing introduction to America.
Don't miss the premiere of Dancing With the Stars' 17th season airing Monday, Sept. 17!
For more exclusive interviews with the cast of Dancing With the Stars, tune in to E! News tonight at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.