Dancing with the Stars Season 33: Meet the 4 Competing Athletes

Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars debuted on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesday, September 17, at 8 PM ET. This exciting season showcases four prominent athletes making their debut on the dance floor.

The featured athletes include Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, NFL star Danny Amendola, rugby player Ilona Maher, and NBA icon Dwight Howard, who will showcase their talents with professional partners each week.

Each athlete brought their unique dance styles, including tango and salsa, to the stage. This season, judges Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba will evaluate the performances, while Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro serve as co-hosts. Contestants are vying for the esteemed Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy as the competition unfolds.

Diving into the Athletes of Dancing with the Stars Season 33

1) Danny Amendola

Two-time Super Bowl champion and former NFL wide receiver Danny Amendola has partnered with professional dancer Witney Carson. In the season opener, he danced to A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey and David Guetta.

Excited to see how his athleticism translates into dance, Amendola said in an interview with US Weekly:

“It’s my mom’s favorite show, so when I told her we had the opportunity, she told me I had to do it.”

2) Stephen Nedoroscik

Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik is paired with Rylee Arnold. He achieved a bronze medal in the pommel horse event at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Their debut performance to Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now left the audience captivated by their intensity.

Known for his calm demeanor and cube-solving skills, Nedoroscik aims to leverage his gymnastics background on the dance floor. The 25-year-old is also gaining attention for his supportive relationship with Tess McCracken, whom he considers his biggest fan.

3) Ilona Maher

Making history as the first rugby player on Dancing with the Stars, Olympian Ilona Maher is partnered with elite dancer Alan Bersten, who won the title in season 28. The duo kicked off their journey with a cha-cha-cha performance to Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like a Woman! Maher, a bronze medalist at the 2024 Olympics, is also recognized for her vibrant social media presence and late-night TV appearances.

4) Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard (image via Instagram@dwighthoward)

NBA veteran Dwight Howard, an eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, is partnered with Daniella Karagach on season 33 of Dancing with the Stars. The pair performed a lively salsa to Montell Jordan’s This Is How We Do It. Despite standing at 6-foot-10, Howard’s speed and enthusiasm earned them a score of 22, tying for the second-best score of the night.

Since stepping away from the NBA in 2022, Howard has captured the attention of new fans with his unexpected dancing abilities. His sizzling salsa routine has gone viral, garnering applause from critics and viewers alike.

Tune in to Dancing with the Stars Season 33 every Tuesday at 8 PM ET on ABC and Disney+. New episodes can be streamed the following day on Hulu and ABC.com.

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