Michael Caulfield/Getty Image, Jeffrey Mayer/Getty Images,John M. Heller/Getty Images,Maury Phillips/Getty ImagesThere's no tiptoeing around it, the question weighing on everyone's mind this weekend is: Who'll be putting on their boogie-woogie shoes for Dancing With the Stars' ninth season?
That's right, we did say nine seasons.
With the announcement of the next cast just around the corner, Monday morning to be exact, we thought we'd compile a list of possible candidates for you.
Some are just rumors, some have more or less confirmed the news, but either way, let's play the speculation and see what we come up with...
Here's what we know so far:
La Toya Jackson is out! That is the one definite in the whole DWTS equation. While she was approached, La Toya announced that because of Michael Jackson's recent passing, she'll be sitting this one out.
Paula, Paula, Paula. Will she dance? Will she judge? Recently ousted American Idol judge Paula Abdul has reportedly been in talks to do something with the series. Who knows where she'll end up—she might just join another ABC hit, Ugly Betty. Either way, we don't want to lose Paula on our weekly television programming.
Tori Spelling has all but confirmed that her hubby and reality show costar Dean McDermott will sign on this year. While on 104.3 MYfm yesterday, Spelling said, "Dean can do it and we can be there twice a week in the audience." Following up, she hinted, "It might work out this season. He's a really, really good dancer." So there's that.
The View's Sherri Shepherd has been vocal about loving the series and recently mentioned that DWTS has been courting her. This might just benefit her quest to get fit, too.
Kelly Osbourne's name has also been thrown around lately. After the star tweeted, "ok you guys I need some help I have been offered to do a show in the u.s. something that I never ever thought I would do should I do it?," she confirmed that she definitely will be participating. Could be DWTS, no?
The original Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno, has said several times that he more than expects to be on season nine of the hit series, even telling Life & Style magazine, "I've never done that type of dancing before, so I know that I'll have to train hard." We imagine he's not very smooth, but strength won't be the problem.
Entourage's Debi Mazar tweeted about her offer earlier this summer, but no word on if the deal is official. Mazar could be a front runner, especially with the amazing shape she's recently gotten into.
Howard Stern's wifey has received offers before, but the radio bigwig announced this week that Beth Ostrosky was heading to the West Coast to take part in a reality show. Dancing with the Stars, perhaps?
Who else's names have been tossed about?
Little bro of the Backstreet Boys Aaron Carter, famed fashion designer Vera Wang, Donnie Osmond, pro wrestler Kurt Angle, George Hamilton's son, Ashley Hamilton, and previously sidelined contestants host Nancy O'Dell and Olympian Misty May-Treanor.
Tune into Good Morning America on Monday morning as host Tom Bergeron names the cast, then check back to E! Online for all the latest DWTS scoop.
Dancing With the Stars is back on Sept. 21, at 8 p.m. on ABC.
The Next Dancing with the Stars Cast
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Need more dancing stars? It's a blast from the past in our Dancing with the Stars Season Eight photo gallery.