Dancing with the Stars

Meet Dancing's New Contestants!

An Emmy winner, a Grammy winner and two Olympians – get to know the cast of season 7 before they hit the dancefloor. By Jessica Gold Haralson

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ROCCO DISPIRITO

AGE: 41
OCCUPATION: Chef
THE 411: Just call this New York City restaurateur the Iron Chef: DiSpirito is a triathlon competitor who's participated in the prestigious Ironman St. Croix.
PARTNER: Karina Smirnoff
HIS BIGGEST FAN: Says DiSpirito of his mom Nicolina (whom audiences came to know and love from the NBC reality show The Restaurant), "I asked her what she thought of the show and my mom said, 'Itsa nice, the people dance. I love the one with the dance.' "
ABC: We'd Love to Have Paula Abdul on Dancing

ABC: We'd Love to Have Paula Abdul on Dancing

"I think she's a huge talent," says ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson

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