Does the DWTS 2011 Cast Have Enough Controversy?

Forget about having to master the Argentine Tango and the Paso Doble. 'Dancing With the Stars' contestants have to also learn how to handle the media since doing press is a big part of the show.

The season 12 contestants (minus model Petra Nemcova, who wasn't at the cast announcement) got their feet wet immediately after they were announced during Monday night's 'The Bachelor' by doing a round of start-up interviews with members of the media. TV Squad was on the scene to quiz the stars with a variety of questions.

At first glance, this group of stars appear to be drama-free. (Though we are expecting to be thoroughly entertained by the outrageously funny Kirstie Alley.) Is this group a tad too tame?

"If you put a camera on some of them long enough perhaps there will be a 'train wreck,'" said contestant Wendy Williams. "I say some of 'them' because I'm used to live TV. I love my [dance] partner. What you see is what you get."

Read on to get more initial impressions from the season 12 cast of DWTS.

Kirstie Alley
Does being perhaps the most well-known star give you an edge?
When I watch the show, I pay attention sometimes to the people who aren't as famous. They're the ones that become my favorites. I like to see people who have some talent and work really hard and have good personalities.

What's the hardest part of being on the show so far?
Keeping my pro partner's name a secret! We'll all know on Wednesday. It's so hard keeping it a secret. There are so many secrets on this show!

Chris Jericho
How important is it to have a strong fan base in terms of staying in the competition?
It's so important. They decide your fate. A lot of people who watch this show may not know us from the worlds we come from.

Stars and dancers give lots of interviews throughout the season; is anything in your life off limits?
I've been doing press for 20 years. Even if there is something I'm not comfortable talking about I'm pretty cool about spinning it back to where I want to go. That's an art form, too.


Romeo Miller
The show likes to delve into stars' personal lives. Have you thought about whether or not you'll talk about any romances in your life?
People are asking if Romeo is going to fall in live. I'm just one of those people who lives for the moment. We'll see what happens.

Which dances do you think you'll find challenging?
I come from the hip-hop world, but I think all the dances are going to be challenging.


Kendra Wilkinson
Why are you doing the show?
It's a great opportunity. It's also a perfect time in my life to do this, too. It's the football player's off-season, so my husband [Hank Baskett] is doing the whole "daddy" thing now. We're switching roles.

Chelsea Kane
Did your friend Kyle Massey, last year's finalist, give you advice about doing the show?
Yes. He was one of the deciding factors in my doing the show. I'd watch it and be skeptical, thinking that some people had dance training. But I watched Kyle and he was really enjoying it.

Derek Hough is not coming back for this season; did you wish you'd gotten him as a partner?
I was. I knew he wasn't coming back when I was invited to do the show, but I can say I got the [dance pro] I wanted. It's been hard not telling anyone who my partner is!

Sugar Ray Leonard
Why are you doing this show?
The challenge of doing something like this is totally alien to me. I'm trying to feel the confidence and translate it to dance.

Athletes and people with strong fan bases tend to do well on this show; that's you!
Thank you. I'm excited about being here and am very serious about it, too. This will be a great thing to have on my resume.

"Psycho" Mike Catherwood
You joked about being the least-known star this season, but that's what people said about Kyle Massey last season and he went to the finals.
I'm clearly the least known guy. I hope I get the Los Angeles vote. I just want to be myself. Hopefully, that will be good enough.

There have been polarizing stars in past seasons; this group -- at first glance -- appears to be pretty low key in that respect.
True. Not only are we not controversial, but there are also no "ringers." There's also always that one guy or gal that needs to be voted off first. But when I met this cast I thought, "Where's the person with the walker?"

Wendy Williams
News about you joining the cast leaked out; how did you feel about that?
I was so upset. I wasn't around too many people who asked [if it was true or not.] Usually, I'm the one who does the asking.

Is your talk show on hiatus while you do DWTS?
No. Just for one week. Like Wonder Woman, I have an invisible jet. I will be flying back and forth between here and New Jersey [where I live.]

Ralph Macchio
Do you ever get tired of people telling you how young you look?
No. Consider the alternative. Also, look at Sugar Ray Leonard! He's 55 and I'm 49.

There don't seem to be many stars this season that will create controversy.
That might be refreshing, huh? This show has never been "train wreck TV." It doesn't set you up for failure. It sets you up to do well. Still, there are some big personalities in this group. We'll all be competing.