The glittering ballroom of Dancing with the Stars is set to ignite once again on September 17 as ABC’s long-running dance competition returns for its 33rd season. The show, which first graced television in 2005, has become a staple of entertainment, pairing celebrities with professional dancers in a high-stakes battle for the coveted Mirrorball trophy. While many have witnessed the rhythm of Dwight Howard on the hardwood, will he fare the same on the dance floor?

The official Dancing with the Stars account posted a picture on Instagram featuring the duo of NBA champ Dwight Howard and his pro partner, Daniella Karagach. Acknowledging the same, Howard commented, “Dynamic Duo” on the post, showing the trust he has in himself and his partner and also the determination he’s carrying to become glorious in the show. The reason for this hunger is quite straightforward.

Although the actual amount of what the celebrities currently get is not revealed, back in 2010, the celebrities were paid on a sliding scale with $125,000 as a signing bonus, which covered the first two weeks, and the celebrity’s time during the rehearsals. After that, they were supposed to get $10,000 for the third and fourth weeks and then  $20,000 if they made it to the fifth and sixth weeks. The duo that reaches the final will get an amount of $50,000, and that is what the NBA All-Star is aiming for. However, he is not alone.

There are 12 contestants in this installment of the Dancing with the Stars, ranging from different professions, including TV actors/actresses, athletes, and models. They are Phaedra Parks with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, Danny Amendola with partner Witney Carson, Joey Graziadei with partner Jenna Johnson, Ilona Maher with partner Alan Bersten, Chandler Kinney with partner Brandon Armstrong, Anna Delvey with partner Ezra Sosa and Eric Roberts with partner Britt Stewart, among others.

The inclusion of Howard in this season’s lineup adds an extra layer of excitement for sports fans and dance enthusiasts alike. But did you know Howard was always a fan of dancing?

Dwight Howard’s revelation on the Good Morning America show

The hardwood of the NBA and the polished floors of Dancing with the Stars have more in common than one might think, as evidenced by the growing list of basketball legends who have traded their sneakers for dancing shoes. Howard is going to be the ninth NBA player to join the show besides Rick Fox, Clyde Drexler, Derek Fisher, Charles Oakley, Metta Sandiford-Artest, Lamar Odom, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Iman Shumpert, who was the last to participate in the show in 2021.

In a recent interview with Good Morning America, Howard revealed an unknown fact about him. “I’ve been dancing my whole life, but not ballroom dancing. This is gonna be my first time doing it so I’m just gonna have as much fun as possible and I’m so thankful that I have this opportunity,” said Howard in the interview. This is not the first time the 38-year-old center has participated in a TV show.

As Howard steps into this new arena, his lifelong love for dance could prove a significant advantage. With $50,000 on the line for reaching the semifinals or finals, Howard’s claim of being a lifelong dancer could translate into both ballroom success and a hefty payday.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger