Chaz Bono Steps Out for First Time on Dancing with the Stars

Dancing with the Stars kicked off its 13th run last night, proving that it is capable of crafting a buzz-generating cast (and stretching the definition of the word "star") even after 12 seasons.
There was the show's first transgender competitor (Chaz Bono), HLN's courtroom bulldog Nancy Grace, and NBA star Ron Artest, or "Metta World Peace" as he now prefers to be called. Joining them were a Whitman's Sampler of "stars" wanting to dance their way out of '90s-era obscurity (Chynna Phillips), into A-list superstardom (Hope Solo, Elisabetta Canalis), out of their siblings' shadows (Rob Kardashian), or simply into better physical shape (Ricki Lake, who may be turning the show into a weight loss informercial).
Each "star" was paired with a professional dancer, including a few new faces: Tristan MacManus, Peta Murgatroyd, and Val Chermkovskiy, little brother of fan favorite Maks. The performances were what one would expect from the first episode—rough around the edges, with some notable standouts and some obvious clunkers. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman doled out their scores with their well-established attitudes: enthusiastic, stodgy, and crazycakes, in that order. After a dozen seasons, we all know exactly what to expect, which is half the fun.


When it was all over, the activist transgender child of Sonny and Cher – whose appearance drew both praise and controversy – basked in cheers from the audience and warm remarks from the judges Monday.


It seems Chaz can cha cha.


"Chazzy Boy, you can dance!" said Carrie Ann Inaba.


Len Goodman responded with a "Razzamataz Chaz" and praised his footwork, while Bruno Tonioli said, "So cuddly and cute. Great, great debut, Chaz. You should be proud," as Bono and pro partner Lacey Schwimmer finished with respectable 17 points.



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