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Mar 19, 2011

Dancing With the Stars Then and Now

Dancing With the Stars Then and Now
 The new season of this international hit show launches March 21. The incoming cast includes a pro wrestler, a former child star and a media maven. Before the latest competitors sweep you off your feet, check in with past winners.

Kelly Monaco

Then: In July 2005, the daytime drama star became the game show's first winner. 
Now: When she's not judging lovely ladies, she's being dubbed one. She also has a cable flick on the horizon.

Drew Lachey

Then: Lachey was a boy-band heartthrob before winning the show's second season. 
Now: He hosted another reality competition and added theater acting to his repertoire.

Emmitt Smith

Then: He was a star running back throughout the '90s and walked away with the top spot in 2006. See him jive and samba.
Now: Smith's been making big decisions in business and in football, too. In 2010, he earned a professional honor.

Apolo Anton Ohno

Then: This gold medal-winning Olympian took Season 4.
Now: First was sports, then came dancing. Next, Ohno tackled fashion, with a 2008 competition cameo and an endorsement deal.

Helio Castroneves

Then: This Brazilian racer was a two-time winner before he claimed the Season 5 title. Watch him make all the right moves.
Now: Since then, his life has had its ups and its downs.

Kristi Yamaguchi

Then: She dominated the skating scene in the early '90s  and used those graceful moves to seize Season 6. 
Now: Yamaguchi's gone from athlete to author. Check out her new kid-lit release.

Brooke Burke

Then: This former TV host beat an NFL player and a former pop star for the win. Watch her waltz to the top.
Now: Burke has had more hosting duties on her plate -- from dancers to debs to mature models. She's also written a book with a racy title

Shawn Johnson 

Then: In addition to taking Season 8, the Olympic gold medalist carved a unique niche within the competition.
Now: Johnson made a charitable appearance in '09, and last year she took a seat at the judges' table

Donny Osmond

Then: Osmond followed in his sister's footsteps by going on the show. But the former teen idol one-upped her by winning Season 9. 
Now: Having mastered the small screen, he's launched a new project in a different medium. He also reunited with his sister for a recent Broadway gig.

Nicole Scherzinger

Then: This sultry singer dabbled in TV competitions the year before she tangoed her way to the top of Season 10. 
Now: Her old act has called it quits, but Scherzinger has stayed busy with musical theater and an upcoming album.

Jennifer Grey

Then: The show's most recent winner is practically a pro -- she became a star thanks to a hit '80s dance movie.
Now: Grey's most recent TV appearance was a prime-time drama cameo