Dancing with the Stars

Chaz Bono began his march towards the "Dancing With the Stars" title, hitting up the practice studio yesterday in Los Angeles.

The Pregnant Man -- Thomas Beatie -- claims he SHOULD HAVE been chosen to compete on "Dancing with the Stars" this season ... but says, "Chaz Bono stole my thunder."

Beatie tells TMZ ... he reached out to casting in the hopes of landing a spot a few months ago -- but never got a call back. But after DWTS announced that Chaz would be on the show, Thomas says he thinks he knows why he was rejected -- the transgender quota had already been filled.

Thomas says he understands why producers wouldn't cast two famous transgender people on the show -- but he's still pretty bummed out ... telling us, "I wanted to try my new body out. I’m an athlete and I know I would have excelled."

There's always next season ...

Nancy Grace doesn't think there's a chance in hell Casey Anthony will vote for her on "Dancing with the Stars" -- but she DOES have some advice for the Tot Mom ... confess and go to jail.

Only one problem with Nancy's advice -- it's the whole Constitution thing, which prohibits double jeopardy.

Nancy says she's a horrible dancer -- and clearly not a big fan of the 5th Amendment.

Deena from "Jersey Shore" took a break from beating up the beat at the guido clubs to work the pole at West Hollywood's most popular gay bar the Abbey last night.

The "blast in a glass" was spotted partying with "Dancing with the Stars" regulars Mark Ballas, Derek Hough, Lacey Schwimmer, as well as new contestants Rob Kardashian and Kristin Cavallari.

Nancy Grace may actually suck up to judges -- rather than go after them -- in the next few months, because she's signed on to "Dancing with the Stars" ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Grace and her partner met for the first time in Atlanta last week. This could be another Kate Gosselin situation, where Nancy practices in Atlanta so she doesn't miss her TV show ... then travels to L.A. once a week for the live performance.

Chaz Bono toned up for his big debut on "Dancing With The Stars" by hitting the gym in West Hollywood Saturday.

TMZ broke the story ... Chaz will be a celebrity contestant on the show and will be paired with a female dancer ... a stroke of genius on the part of the producers.

TMZ has learned ... Chaz Bono will be hitting the hardwood on the new season of "Dancing with the Stars."

Multiple sources connected with the show tell us ... Chaz has signed on and will be partnered with a female professional. Makes sense, because Chaz is legally a man ... baby.

David Arquette will show what he's got on "Dancing with the Stars" ... sources close to the deal tell TMZ.

David showed up to the rehearsal studio a few minutes ago, to meet his partner for the first time. We're told he's hooking up -- professionally, in a dancing sort of way -- with Kym Johnson.

The new season starts at the end of September.

"Dancing with the Stars" is getting a MASSIVE upgrade this season -- and TMZ has learned ... the entire layout of the set will be changed ... to the tune of $3 MILLION!

Sources tell us ... the COOLEST change will affect the audience ... because producers are swapping out the boring bleacher seats for a TRIPLE-TIERED balcony-styled arrangement ... kinda like where the old grumpy guys sit on "The Muppets."

Another cool change -- the massive staircase in the middle of the stage will have the ability to SPLIT into TWO halves ... which will reveal the orchestra pit.

As for the dance floor ... which was basically hardwood planks placed on the ground ... it will NOW be an elevated PLATFORM ... so if the stars fall over the edge, it could REALLY hurt.

"Dancing with the Stars" stud Mark Ballas single-handedly raised more than $12 THOUSAND for the elderly last weekend -- all because he forgot to bring a change of clothes to a charity benefit.

Mark volunteered to perform at the 4th Annual Avamar Foundation benefit in Warren, Ohio -- representing The Beat of Ohio dance studio -- but we're told, he only brought one outfit ... and after performing ... had to borrow a shirt from the host.

Sources at the event tell TMZ Mark was so moved by the benefit, he decided to sign the shirt ... and auction it off. He also threw in front row VIP tickets to 'DWTS' for two nights, backstage passes, and pictures with the other dancing pros.

Queen Latifah and Snooki will sign on to do the next season of "Dancing with the Stars" ... sources connected with the show tell TMZ.

And, show sources tell us, Tiffani Thiessen will also be a contestant.

As TMZ has already told you, Rob Kardashian will also compete.

Producers have said they wanted to upgrade the contestants for the new season, which begins next month.

Did they succeed? You decide.

12:36 PM: A rep for Tiffani tells TMZ, the actress is denying any involvement with the show -- but our sources insist ... she will appear on next season.

Alleged White House crashers Tareq and Michaele Salahi are HUGE down under -- in fact, we're told, the "Real Housewives of DC" stars are closing in on a deal to appear on Australia's "Dancing with the Stars."

The offer's already on the table for next season -- and sources tell TMZ, Tareq and Michaele are just hammering out the nitty gritty before signing on the dotted line.

And to prove just how famous they are over there -- we're told the couple also shot a commercial for an Australian laundry detergent last week ... LAUNDRY DETERGENT.

Sherri Shepherd might be a queen of daytime TV on "The View" -- but she won't be crowned queen of "Dancing With the Stars" any time soon ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Shepherd tell TMZ she's been approached by "DWTS" for this upcoming season -- and they've been "aggressively courting her."

But Shepherd is getting married later this month -- during hiatus from "The View" -- and we're told once she goes back to work ... there just won't be time for "DWTS."

Dallas Mavericks star Shawn Marion isn't taking any chances with the NBA lockout -- in fact, he just turned down "Dancing with the Stars" ... to make sure he's free to practice with his team this fall.

Sources close to Shawn tell TMZ, "Dancing" sent him an official offer to appear on the show, but the NBA champ wants to make sure he's 100% available in case the lockout ends early ... so it's a no go.

"Dancing" would end in November and NBA season usually starts in October -- which could put Marion in a difficult position if the upcoming season isn't put on ice.

Another member of the Kardashian Klan has agreed to compete on the next season of "Dancing with the Stars" TMZ has learned ... but it ain't Khloe ... or Kourtney ... or Kris -- it's a dude!

Multiple sources confirm ... Rob Kardashian is officially on board -- despite concerns about the "Dancing" schedule conflicting with Kim's super MEGA wedding in August. We're told the two sides addressed the issue and hammered out a plan -- and Rob signed on the dotted line.

Nothing's official yet -- but sources tell us, both Artest and "Dancing" producers have been in touch to hash out a possible deal ... and Ron's pretty excited about the prospect.

But here's the catch -- "Dancing" won't end 'til November and basketball season typically starts in October ... which means if the lockout ends early, Ron could be S.O.L.