The Geek Girl's Guide to 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 27

Strike up the band, stock up the spray tan, sew on the sequin, and get the phone lines ringin’!

Lights, camera, action in the Hollywood fashion! Bust a move, time to groove, and see dance routines with passion!

Drama and dancing for twelve weeks straight,

Starting September 24th, 8pm; don’t be late!

So, who’s who in the ballroom this twenty-seventh season? The geek girl knows who and is writing for that reason!

Who's Who

My love for ABC’s hit celebrity competition, Dancing with the Stars, has been big motivation in my personal blogging. I started my own blog in the springtime last year ago just to have a platform to talk about the upcoming twenty-fourth season, with focus on the cast, and the outcomes of the performances and eliminations. I plan to carry on my passion and keep up with the twenty-seventh season here through Vocal, just for something different.

Without further ado, the Geek Girl gives you what you need to know about the celebrities and professional dancers participating in this season.

Alexis Ren

Alexis Ren, a supermodel since she was thirteen, and the now-twenty-one-year-old has recently graced the covers of Sports Illustrated and Maxim, and modeled the brands of Calvin Klien and Tommy Hilfiger. She is also a famous and familiar social media face with 1.6 million Twitter followers and 12.8 million Instagram followers! She has opened up about participating in the show in memory of her mother who passed away four years ago. Her dancing partner is Alan Bersten, back for his third season as a full-time pro.

Bobby Bones

Bobby Bones, or known by Forbes magazine, “the most powerful man in country music,” is the voice of his own Nashville-based country music radio show, The Bobby Bones Show. Also dubbed a “media multi-tasker’ from Billboard, he also manages his own podcast, he has authored two autobiographical books, tours as a comedian, plays as a musician, and was even a musical mentor on ABC’s reboot of American Idol. He is paired with Sharna Burgess, who has gone as far as the top three with several other partners in her ten-plus seasons on the show.

Danielle Umstead

Danielle Umstead is a visually impaired Paralympian skiier, who has earned three Paralympic Bronze Medals, four World Championship Medals, and over fifty Alpine Skiing World Cup Medals, all with her guide and husband, Rob. At the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics, the couple was the first visually impaired, husband-and-wife team to compete and medal for Team USA. While the DWTS ballroom has seen several Paralympians and unique contestants, Umstead will be the first who is visually impaired due to a genetic condition where her retinas are degenerating to the point of blindness. Argem Chigvintsev is her professional partner, who has been paired with other athletic partners like Nancy Kerrigan, Nikki Bella, and Jamie Anderson, but hasn’t made it far beyond midseason yet.

DeMarcus Ware

DeMarcus Ware is a retired NFL wide receiver with an illustrious career. Considered one of the greatest in NFL history, he is slated to be a first-ballot candidate for the franchise hall of fame in three years. He was the first draft pick for the Dallas Cowboys in 2005, and is the team’s all-time leader in sacks and forced fumbles (117 and 32 respectively). He is behind hall-of-famers Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor in respects to those averages. Ware went on to play for the Denver Broncos in 2014 during their Super Bowl 50 win. Lindsey Arnold is his professional dance partner, who was previously paired with Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions, and won season 25 with Jordan Fisher.

Evanna Lynch

Evanna Lynch is recognized as the “Harry Potter” character, Luna Lovegood. She still acts in smaller-scale film and theatre productions, and is a philanthropist and animal activist. She is dancing with Keo Motsepe, who has come as far as fourth place last season with softball athlete, Jennie Finch Daigle.

Joe Amabile

Joe Amabile is fresh off the latest seasons of Bachelor in Paradise and the Bachelorette. Amabile was a young trader in the Chicago stock exchange who went into small business to own a grocery store and follow the family business. This earned him the nickname of “Grocery Store Joe.” He will be dancing with Jenna Johnson, the current reigning professional champion from last season’s win with Adam Rippon, and also recently engaged to Val Chmerkovskiy.

John Schneider

John Schneider is an actor best known as Bo Duke from The Dukes of Hazzard, and also a long-time country singer who is releasing a greatest hits collection next month. He is dancing with Emma Slater, another ten-season veteran and one-time winner.

Juan Pablo Di Pace

Juan Pablo Di Pace is best recognized from Fuller House as Kimmy Gibbler’s ex-husband and in the 2006 Mama Mia! as Petros. He’ll be recognized with his partner, Cheryl Burke, long-time pro and two-time winner.

Mary Lou Retton

Mary Lou Retton is a former Olympic gymnast who was the first woman to win a gold medal in the sport in 1984, and earned five overall in those games—the most earned by any athlete that year. She is also the first woman to have appeared on the Wheaties box. Nowadays, she is a mother of athletes, a motivational speaker, and an advocate for the benefits of proper nutrition and exercise. She will appear in the ballroom with Sasha Farber, who is back for his sixth season and his first mirrorball win.

Milo Manheim

Milo Manheim is a Disney Channel star from the network’s television movie, Zombies, playing the lead role. Nine-season veteran and one-time winner, Witney Carson, is leading him through the ballroom this season.

Nancy McKeon

Nancy McKeon is an actress known from The Facts of Life, as well as from the old Disney Channel show, Sonny With a Chance. Two-time winner, Val Chmerkovskiy is her partner this season.

Nikki Glaser

Nikki Glaser is a stand-up comedian and host of a SiriusXM radio show. She has also appeared on TV with Jimmy Fallon, Conan, Seth Myers, Amy Shumer, and Adam Conover of Adam Ruins Everything. She’ll appear in the ballroom this season with Gleb Savchenko, who is back for his sixth season and attempt at the mirrorball.

Tinashe

Tinashe is all-around young beauty and talent as a musician, producer, performer, model, and actress. She’s toured as an opening act with with Justin Beiber, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, and Nikki Minaj, and has headlined over the last four years. She has also promoted high-profile fashion and beauty brands like Ralph Lauren, Alexander Wang, and Juicy Couture. New-coming pro, Brandon Armstrong, is her partner this season.

Talk to me...

Geek out with me! What do you think of the cast? Who are you interested in following this season? Join my Facebook Block Party and share your comments! Don’t forget to share this guide with other Dancing fans on your own socials!