HAPPY FEET: The “Dancing With the Stars” contestants, revealed last night, are: Ricki Lake, Ron Artest, Kristin Cavallari, David Arquette, Chynna Phillips, J.R. Martinez, Nancy Grace, Rob Kardashian, Hope Solo, Elisabeta Canalis and Chaz Bono, who will have a female partner. (ABC)
Cher must not read the gossip Web sites.
The legendary singer found out only Sunday that her son Chaz — who, born Chastity, underwent sex-change operation in 2008 — would be competing on “Dancing With The Stars.”
“I just didn’t tell her,” Bono, 42, told the Post, moments after last night’s live cast announcement.
Bono is already the biggest story of the show’s 13th season, which kicks off Sept. 19. The first-ever transgender contestant, he will be paired with a female dance partner, the show says.
“I live so much of my life uncomfortable in my body and in my head,” Bono said. “Now that I feel comfortable, it is an opportunity to do something physically challenging and fun in my body.
“Before I met my dance partner [who will be revealed tomorrow] and had a few rehearsals, I was really terrified. I think the week before the first show, I will get nervous again.”
Bono joins 10 other hopefuls, including actor David Arquette, singer Chyna Phillips, NBA star Ron Artest and cable-news host Nancy Grace.
“All I know how to do is try a murder case I don’t know anything about dancing,” Grace quipped.
She told the Post she is relocating her family to Los Angeles for the duration of the show. She will spend her time between rehearsals covering the upcoming trial of Michael Jackson’s doctor Conrad Murray.
“I am certainly not the youngest, skinniest, the prettiest . . . but I’ve got a lot of heart,” she said.
“I kind of feel like Cinderella. I have been invited to the ball. I don’t know how I am going to get there. I don’t know what I am going to wear, and I don’t know how to dance. But I have been asked.
“It may turn out to be rats and pumpkins. Let’s see.”