The Competition

Host Marilu Henner.

© Jeffrey Dunn

Marilu Henner

Marilu Henner is thrilled to be back for another year as the host of America's Ballroom Challenge. Ms. Henner is well-known for her many leading roles on television, in feature films, and on the stage. Her breakthrough as an actress came in the late 1970s, when she starred as Elaine Nardo in James L. Brooks' hit TV series Taxi, alongside Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, Tony Danza, Carol Kane, and Andy Kaufman. She later starred in Evening Shade, a CBS sitcom that also starred Burt Reynolds, Hal Holbrook, Charles Durning, and Ossie Davis.

Ms. Henner has appeared in more than 30 films with such leading men as Richard Gere, John Travolta, Steve Martin, Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Jeff Goldblum, Michael Keaton, and Tom Berenger. But her first professional acting work came on stage as Marty in the touring company of Grease, a role she later played on Broadway. Ms. Henner has continued to take roles in musicals, playing to rave reviews following Anne Reinking as Roxie Hart in the 1996 Broadway revival of Chicago, and later as Annie Oakley in the national touring company of Annie Get Your Gun. Earlier this month, Ms. Henner performed in Chicago's 10th Anniversary benefit for Save Horizon, joining the original Broadway cast and other Chicago alumnae on stage.

Ballroom dancing — as well as ballet, tap, jazz and modern — has been part of Ms. Henner's life ever since her childhood in Chicago. Her mother, Loretta Henner, was president of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts (NADAA) and ran the Henner Dance School ("disguised as a three-car garage") in a northwest Chicago neighborhood for 20 years. Marilu took her first dance class at age 2, and, like all the Henner children, began teaching classes herself at 14. She went on to study with the Illinois Ballet Company before going into theater.

"I'm so excited to be back as the host of America's Ballroom Challenge," Ms. Henner said, "It has always been a dream of mine to be part of this show, and to be asked to host it again this year is an honor. Dancing is my true passion. Having grown up watching ballroom dancing, loving it, studying it, and watching my mother teach it, I love "coming home to America's Ballroom Challenge!"

Ms. Henner's love of dance goes hand-in-hand with her work on health and fitness. She has continued to promote this cause vigorously since last appearing on this show: Ms. Henner offers online nutrition and fitness classes at her Web site (www.marilu.com), hosts a new television series called Shape Up Your Life for the Discovery Networks, and has written a series of New York Times best-selling books on the subject. She can also be seen and heard talking about health and lifestyle starting this January at www.iAmplify.com.

"Ballroom dancing is a beautiful art form — one that the contestants on our program will take to its highest level," she said. "But it's also a fabulous workout — a wonderful way for people of all ages to get in shape and stay there. You're never too old or too young to feel better than you do right now. And what better way to feel better than to dance!"

Host Tony Meredith.

© Jeffrey Dunn

Tony Meredith

Champion dancer and choreographer Tony Meredith is thrilled to return to Columbus, Ohio as the co-host of America's Ballroom Challenge. Mr. Meredith is particularly fond of this show, where he and his partner Melanie LaPatin appeared 13 times and were three-time Latin Division Champions.

Mr. Meredith started to dance as a toddler while growing up in Samoa, surrounded by the sounds of drums, guitars, and ukuleles. He credits American Bandstand and Soul Train for helping him to hone his skills and to keep up with the latest moves. In 1978, Mr. Meredith moved to San Diego where he met the love of his life Melanie La Patin. Their romantic and professional partnership has spanned more than 25 years and garnered over 100 first-place titles, including the DanceSport World Cup Championship and the U.S. Professional Latin Dance Championship.

Now retired from competition, Mr. Meredith owns and operates Dance Times Square in New York City. Additionally, he has worked as a choreographer and dance coach on several motion pictures, including Dance with Me and The Thomas Crowne Affair.

Dancing is Mr. Meredith's passion and his mission is to share it with as many people as possible. The Ohio Star Ball and PBS have allowed him to do just that. His experience has shown that in the midst of tough competition, there is no thrill that can match putting all of your heart and soul into your dancing. He wishes the best of luck to all of this year's dancers!

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