The latest celebrity to join season 17 of the ABC reality competition ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is Valerie Harper.
She is already kicking up her heels with veteran pro Tristan MacManus in preparation for the season premiere, slated for Sept. 16.
If you were wondering how the 74-year-old can put herself through the strenuous daily workout needed to prepare for such an undertaking, get over it.
The former ‘Rhoda’ celeb announced in March that she has a rare form of cancer that had spread to the membrane surrounding her brain. Despite a dire prognosis, the television actress is currently thriving and is willing to give dancing a shot.
During an interview with Meredith Vieira that will air in mid-September, the actress revealed that she is beating back the cancer for now, though her doctor indicates the cancer will become resistant to treatment. She said with optimism, “Before we were looking at three months, now we’re looking at Christmas!”
Tristan and his season 16 partner Dorothy Hamill withdrew from the competition after the first week due to a serious back injury that the former Olympic skater suffered during her second live performance.
Other celebrities who have signed on for the new season: Leah Remini, Snooki, Elizabeth Berkley, Amber Riley, Jack Osbourne and Christina Milian.
The full roster, including a number of athletes and former Olympic champions, will be announced next week on ‘GMA.’
Photos: WENN