Now that we know who's appearing on this season of 'Dancing With the Stars,' it's time to make some early predictions about which celeb might walk away with the coveted mirror ball. Our readers have already thrown in their two cents in our poll, choosing (quite wisely) who they think will win. Here's where we think some of the key players will fall ... -- By Katy Kroll
IN IT TO WIN IT
Donny Osmond
So far, the former teen idol is clearly the leader of the pack in our poll -- and we agree he'll likely go far because of his die-hard fan base and all-American vibe. Plus, sister Marie placed third in season 5, so he'll probably push hard to beat her in the game of sibling rivalry. Our only hesitation? We're not too sure how good his moves are these days.
Mya
The singer/dancer/choreographer literally has a leg up on the competition. But in the past, contestants with dance experience have fallen to the wayside just shy of the finish line (read: Melissa Rycroft and Lance Bass).
Natalie Coughlin
The Olympic gold medalist has odds on her side, considering three of the past eight winners have also been Olympic athletes. But will America choose to follow-up Shawn Johnson's win with yet another sports star?
MIDDLE OF THE PACK
Melissa Joan HartJust well known enough, the actress could squeak by for a few weeks on her squeaky clean image and notoriety as 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch.' Plus, she has that girl-next-door aura viewers seem to love.
Aaron Carter
The former pop star (and younger brother to Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys) was one of the first acts to discover a goldmine in the tween market. If he still has any die-hards left, he's sure to sail through for awhile.
Kelly Osbourne
Going out on a limb here ... because her blunt charm could win fans over in an otherwise mild-mannered cast. Plus, people love watching one-time trainwrecks overcome the odds. Remember Steve-O? Yeah ...
FIRST TO GO
Tom DeLay He seems like such an odd pick that there's no way in hell he'll advance beyond the first couple of weeks. Then again, Steve Wozniak proved us wrong week after week.
Ashley Hamilton
The son of previous dancer George Hamilton just doesn't seem to have enough oomph or backstory to keep people interested. But, hey, maybe he's a great dancer.
Macy Gray
The six-foot tall singer-slash-actress comes across as clunky and kooky -- a little too kooky even for this show. She'd have to be packing some seriously fancy footwork to stay in the game.
Dancing With the Stars' Winners
Season 8: Shawn Johnson
Partner: Mark Ballas
Best Moves: Shawn really hit her stride as the show went on, showing she was much more than a gymnast with her ability to adapt.
Kelsey McNeal, ABC / AP
Season 7: Brooke Burke
Partner: Derek Hough
Best Moves: Brooke dominated the competition from the start, topping the scores eight out of 10 weeks.
ABC
Season 6: Kristi Yamaguchi
Partner: Mark Ballas
Best Moves: Kristi had the perfect ending when she became the first contestant to score 90 out of 90 points in a 'Dancing' finale.
ABC
Season 5: Hélio Castroneves
Partner: Julianne Hough
Best Moves: In week eight, the judges were quick to give Hélio and Julianne's quickstep perfect tens. The next week, they followed up with straight 10s for their rousing renditions of the Foxtrot and Cha-Cha-Cha.
ABC
Season 4: Apolo Anton Ohno
Partner: Julianne Hough
Best Moves: Apolo and Julianne's chemistry sizzled mid-season when they finished in 1st place for two consecutive weeks, first for the Samba and then for the Rumba.
ABC
Season 3: Emmitt Smith
Partner: Cheryl Burke
Best Moves: Emmitt and Cheryl's moves improved all season, then danced it out of the park during the finale, earning 2 sets of perfect 10s for their Samba and Mambo.
ABC
Season 2: Drew Lachey
Partner: Cheryl Burke
Best Moves: The 98 degrees singer proved he could heat up the dance floor with Cheryl Burke; the dancing duo finished in 1st place for five out of the season's eight weeks.
ABC
Season 1: Kelly Monaco
Partner: Alec Mazo
Best Moves: Kelly proved she was a major threat for the 'Dancing' title when her Freestyle garnered three 10s from the judges.
ABC
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Why is it time to make predictions? What's wrong with letting the show take its course & having the chips fall as they may? Do you have nothing better to write about......like positive things about EACH contestant that will make the show more interesting? Actually I'm not interested in your opinion.
WHO IN THE WORLD WOULD PICK A THIEF LIKE TOM DELAY TO DANCE...GIVE US A BREAK..POOR CHERYL IS GOING TO HAVE TO LIE THRU HER MOUTH ABOUT HOW HE TRIES SO WELL...AND HOW GOOD HE IS DOING...WE ALL KNOW WHAT A CROOK HE WAS..OH EXCUSE ME..STILL IS
who really cares . it aoo staged anyways
I am so appalled that Delay will be dancing on this great show. I don't think I could stomach watching this episode, until he is voted off, which should be the first show. I'm sure the ratings will be very low, until he is removed!
kelly really did the best for sure nice to see sharon and ozzie supporting here so much. donny is a real mess as usual ugh a complete kiss butt for sure
WELL SO FAR aaron AND mya ARE THE BEST