海角大神

We now know the full list of celebrities participating in this season of 鈥淒ancing With the Stars.鈥�

Actor Gary Busey, former Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter, and chef Paula Deen will all take to the dance floor for the 21st season of ABC鈥檚 reality competition. Joining them will be Alek Skarlatos, an Army National Guard specialist who very recently helped stop an attack on a Belgian train; jockey Victor Espinoza, who recently earned the Triple Crown with horse American Pharaoh; 鈥淗oney, I鈥檓 Good鈥� singer Andy Grammer; and Bindi Irwin, a conservationist who is also the daughter of Steve Irwin.聽

Singer Chaka Khan, Vine star Hayes Grier, and singer and 鈥淏raxton Family 海角大神鈥� star Tamar Braxton will also be participating along with 鈥淪py Kids鈥� star Alexa PenaVega and her husband, 鈥淏ig Time Rush鈥� actor Carlos PenaVega. 鈥淩eal Housewives of Atlanta鈥� star Kim Zolciak Biermann will be competing on the show as well.

Pros Tony Dovolani, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Sharna Burgess, Anna Trebunskaya, Louis van Amstel, Karina Smirnoff, Emma Slater, Allison Holker, Keo Motsepe, Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Lindsey Arnold, and Witney Carson will partner the stars this season.

Actress Rumer Willis triumphed with Mr. Chmerkovskiy last season.

As 鈥淒ancing鈥� has continued, certain kinds of contestants pop up frequently. Football players have often competed on the show and have often done well, with players such as Donald Driver of the Green Bay Packers taking the crown in the past. Other sports figures like gymnasts and ice dancers have also competed, with ice dancer Meryl Davis recently winning. This year, jockey Espinoza represents the sports world.

The show has seen its share of reality stars as well. Chris Soules, who appeared on ABC鈥檚 reality show 鈥楾he Bachelor,鈥� competed on the previous season of 鈥淒ancing,鈥� and Sadie Robertson of 鈥淒uck Dynasty,鈥� Jack Osbourne of 鈥淭he Osbournes,鈥� Kate Gosselin of 鈥淛on and Kate Plus 8,鈥� and Nicole Polizzi (better known as 鈥淪nooki鈥�) of 鈥淛ersey Shore鈥� have all appeared on recent seasons as well. This season, Ms. Biermann and Ms. Braxton come to 鈥淒ancing鈥� from a reality show background.

Singers have often been part of the 鈥淒ancing鈥� celebrity lineup as well. Last year, singer Patti LaBelle participated, as have Christina Milian, Kellie Pickler, and Joey Fatone. This year's songsters are Mr. Carter and Mr. Grammer.

Vine star Mr. Grier highlights the producers' efforts to bring in people who have found fame online, such as recent dancer Bethany Mota, a YouTube personality. Fox made a similar push for the Teen Choice Awards, which now include several categories for 鈥淲eb star鈥� such as comedy and best user of Vine.聽

Another group of not-quite-celebrities who frequently appear on 鈥淒ancing鈥� are military heroes or other inspirational figures. Last year, former soldier and amputee Noah Galloway participated on the show, as have Paralympian Amy Purdy and actress Valerie Harper, who had been diagnosed with cancer.

The variety of contestants who appear on the show reflect the tastes of viewers. The sheer number of entertainment genres in which the personalities appear 鈥� sports, music, TV, movies, even online entertainment 鈥� show how many forms of entertainment are available to the public. The choice to include reality stars and "Bachelor" contestants also hints at the networks' love of synergy 鈥� that is,聽bringing viewers from one show to another. And who doesn't love narratives of heroes triumphing over adversity?

The new season of 鈥淒ancing鈥� is approaching quickly 鈥� the first episode airs on Sept. 14.