Dancing With The Stars 2019: Meet the full cast set to salsa onto our screens

OLYMPIA VALANCE, ACTOR, 26

Competing on DWTS is becoming somewhat of a tradition for the Valance family! Olympia is set to follow in her half-sister Holly’s footsteps after she competed on the UK version in 2011. The former Neighbours star says she’s studied her big sister’s routines on YouTube.

“She has a lot more rhythm than I do,” the 26 year old says. “I’m the girl with the jokes and smiles, but zero rhythm.”

However, what Olympia does have is commitment. She says she’s used to a gruelling work schedule.

“I knew what I was getting myself into,” she says.

COURTNEY ACT, TRIPLE THREAT, 36

If Courtney wants to win DWTS, she’s going to have to stay focused. However, the drag artist and singer – real name Shane Jenek – is already finding herself getting distracted by her co-star Jett Kenny!

“I want to see everyone’s moves,” she tells TV WEEK. “I was particularly beguiled by the gentleman who looks like a Hemsworth [Jett].”

The former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant, 36, will also be the first drag artist to compete in the Australian competition.

“The female dancers are putting on a costume and the men are putting on a costume, but my costume just happens to be a woman’s,” Courtney says.

DENISE SCOTT, COMEDIAN AND PRESENTER, 63

There’s a touching reason behind Denise’s decision to choose Dementia Australia as her DWTS charity. Her mum Marg suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, and looking after her had a profound impact on the comedian.

“Caring for her was one of the most harrowing, humbling and ultimately life-changing things I’ve ever done,” she explains to TV WEEK.

At 63, Denise is the oldest celebrity taking part in this season of DWTS. But the Studio 10 star says that won’t stop her from giving it her all.

“People do like to cheer on the underdog,” she says. “But being the oldest doesn’t make you an underdog. It just makes you old!

“When I told my GP [she was going on the show], she was horrified — but did have some good news: she said I wouldn’t have a cardiac arrest.”

MICHELLE BRIDGES, FITNESS ICON, 48

Former Biggest Loser co-host Michelle will have one thing on her mind when she takes to the stage: her three-year-old son, Axel.

“I’m missing Axel because of my long training schedule, but it’ll be worth it when I can see his little face watching me do my dance moves!” Michelle, 48, tells TV WEEK.

And the fitness guru says husband Steve “Commando” Willis has been very supportive.

“He thinks it’s great I’m doing this,” she says. “He’s cheering me on, sending texts saying, ‘Go, babe!’ He’ll be there at the live shows for sure.”

But how Michelle feel now that she’ll be the one critiqued on national television?

“It’s going to be heartbreaking to hear, ‘You need to work on that’. But that’s their [the judges] job,” she says. “I’m sure it’ll be all done with love.”

MIGUEL MAESTRE, TV PERSONALITY AND CHEF, 39

The Living Room star might be unrecognisable by the time he’s finished with DWTS. Father-of-two Miguel says during rehearsals for the show he lost a staggering 6.5kg — and counting!

“It’s amazing how in a couple of weeks I’ve found myself lighter on my feet,” Miguel, 39, tells TV WEEK. “I’ve lost 6.5kg already!”

Weighing in at 115kg at the start of the pre-show training, Miguel admits his biggest worry coming into the show was always his fitness.

“Fitness will be my biggest enemy, as I’m flat-footed and heavy,” he explains. “I think people who are very fit have an advantage. Michelle Bridges is so fit — she’s a weapon.”

SAMUEL JOHNSON, ACTOR, 40

He describes himself as a “giraffe spaghetti man” when dancing, but there’s no denying actor Samuel is trying hard.

“It’s extraordinary how disciplined dancing is,” the 41-year-old tells TV WEEK. “I’m trying to prove that white men can dance, but I think I might be running a fool’s errand!”

Sam — who is raising money for his charity Love Your Sister in memory of his sister Connie — says the show has inspired him to overhaul his lifestyle habits.

“I’m embracing this challenge,” he says. “I’ve changed my diet, sleeping habits, body clock, lifestyle. I’m constantly working on my body, diet and mental wellbeing.”

JIMMY REES, CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINER, 31

Having “Jimmy Giggle” as a dad is every child’s dream.

Away from the screen, the Giggle And Hoot children’s show presenter not only has a three-year-old son, Lenny, with wife Tori, but welcomed twin boys, Vinny and Mack, in early February ahead of the live shows.

“Our little family is everything to me,” Jimmy, 30, tells TV WEEK. But he admits that taking on the DWTS challenge has come at a particularly “crazy time”.

“Tori is now the mother of three children!,” Jimmy says. “But she was so encouraging [about me taking part in the show]. This is something we wanted to do.”

JETT KENNY, COMPETITIVE LIFESAVER AND MODEL, 23

After getting his gear off in The Real Full Monty in 2018, Jett is making a name for himself as more than just the son of sports stars Lisa Curry and Grant Kenny.

But despite that experience, the 24-year-old model says he’s nervous about competing on DWTS.

“I must have been feeling super-confident when I said yes to the show, because I’m petrified of dancing, particularly in front of however many people will be watching,” he tells TV WEEK.

Dancing aside, it appears Jett and his dance partner Lily Cornish are already hitting it off.

“Lily isn’t the worst person to spend my day with!” Jett says with a laugh.

CONSTANCE HALL, AUTHOR AND SOCIAL MEDIA SENSATION, 35

Controversial author and blogger Constance is relishing in the challenge of Dancing With The Stars, telling TV WEEK she hasn’t “felt this alive in forever”.

But there is one thing the mother of five children and two step-children is struggling with: the strappy high heels! Constance says in her regular life, she walks around barefoot!

“That’s my big problem,” she says. “I wore heels yesterday [at rehearsals] and just felt miserable and tired. So I haven’t put the shoes on today.

“I’ll just put on the heels at the last minute!”

SIR CURTLY AMBROSE, CRICKET LEGEND, 55

West Indian cricket legend Sir Curtly is determined to show Australia a different side to him.

“I want to show the world that Curtly Ambrose can do more than a bit of cricket,” the 55-year-old tells TV WEEK.

As a natural-born competitor, he’s also taking the contest very seriously.

“I want to do the best I can do,” the former fast bowler — who’s an imposing 201cm tall — says. “I’m not going to travel all the way from Antigua to mess it up.

“I’m very serious, and things are going well so far!”

CASSANDRA THORBURN, CHILDREN’S AUTHOR & BROADCASTER, 47

Cassandra was initially hesitant about signing up to compete on DWTS. But her late father persuaded her to take part.

“It was one of the last conversations I had with my dad before he passed away,” Cassandra, 47, explains to TV WEEK.

“It had been offered to me and at first I thought, ‘No, that’s crazy – I couldn’t possibly do that’.”

But Cass changed her mind when her father told her about the importance of living with no regrets.

“He said, ‘If you don’t take up these opportunities, you’ll have regrets.’ It was an easy decision after that.”

The mum of three isn’t doing the show just for her dad, but for her fans too. They have supported her since her highly publicised divorce from former Today host Karl Stefanovic.

“They make me want to dance my heart out for them,” she says.