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This might be the weirdest ‘Dancing With the Stars’ lineup yet — but it’s sure to entertain

Calvin Johnson, Amber Rose, Babyface, Vanilla Ice … the show’s roster reveal has people talking

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    Calvin Johnson, Amber Rose, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds join other stars in the new DWTS lineup. Getty Images
    By @KofieYeboah

    Dancing With the Stars is entering its Jordan year. That’s right. Season 23 is almost upon us and the show recently revealed the whole roster on Good Morning America.

    People seem superexcited about this cast.

    Let’s get to the roster, shall we?

    First up we have former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who will try to convert his footwork from the field to the dance floor, even though he’s been on the record as saying that he can’t dance.

    Calvin, you still have a spot on my fantasy team just in case you get eliminated early and decide to pick up some cleats again.

    Y’all think I’m kidding? I’m not.

    https://twitter.com/KofieYeboah/status/770468076437528577

    Then we have the two-hit wonder Vanilla Ice. (Yes, I’m counting Play That Funky Music … No, it’s not the Wild Cherry version.)

    If he doesn’t dance to Ice Ice Baby or wear the outfits from the music video, then I predict a quick exit for him.

    The roster also calls a couple of distinguished Olympians to the dance floor. First, we have gymnastics master Laurie Hernandez, who seemed very excited to get the news.

    I believe that she has an advantage because the floor routine in gymnastics incorporates dance moves. Expect her to be a fan favorite.

    Then we have Olympic swimmer turned embattled truth-stretcher Ryan Lochte, who is reportedly going to use this as a platform to show that he is not the person we think he is.

    Seeing that we had to watch Lochte have two left feet during the whole situation, it’s only right to expect more stumbling from him on the floor.

    “I’m definitely really excited. This is completely new for me,” said Lochte, who appeared on Good Morning America on Tuesday. “I think it’s time for me to hang up the Speedo and put on my dancing shoes and get in that ballroom. I’m going to treat this kind of like going into the Olympics. You train for so long and you have that one shot to put it all out there, and I think that’s what I’m going to do.”

    We also have Amber Rose, who is adding the show to her résumé besides her new talk show on VH1.

    Then there is Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, the legendary music mogul and the man behind many songs. The superproducer, singer and songwriter took over R&B charts in the 1980s and ’90s. He taught us all about Whip Appeal and has produced hits for Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Toni Braxton, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, Boyz II Men, Tevin Campbell, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Ariana Grande, Mary J. Blige and … how about we just say almost everybody.

    The other dancers include Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick, actress Marilu Henner, Little Women: LA star Terra Jolé, actor Jake T. Austin, former Texas governor and GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry, race car driver James Hinchcliffe and country singer Jana Kramer. On paper, this doesn’t look like it’s going to be the best season from a dancing perspective, but there will be quotes for days.

    You can catch the new season of Dancing With the Stars at 8 p.m. EST on Sept. 12 on ABC.

    Kofie Yeboah asks for Sweet Tea at every restaurant and recites approximately 2.5 Spongebob lines per hour.

    This Story Tagged: Amber Rose Laurie Hernandez Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds Dancing with the Stars Television Calvin Johnson