This is one of a series of brief articles meant to introduce the DWTS viewer to each of the season 13 celebrities. Until Dancing with the Stars begins and we get our TV introductions, this will have to do!
Why You Know Him
Ron Artest is a professional basketball player, having been a member of the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers throughout his 12-year career.
Ron is also infamous for a 2004 brawl during a Pacers/Pistons game. A late-game foul led to shoving between players, which in turn led to involvement with fans in the audience. The brawl netted Artest the longest-ever NBA suspension for on-court antics — 86 games.
Ron made the news recently for his June 2011 petition to legally change his name to Metta World Peace.
Why He’s on Dancing with the Stars
With his basketball career probably due to wind down in the near future, you’ve got to imagine that the star is looking to diversify. DWTS fans represent a whole new demographic to impress.
Dancing/Performance Experience
As an athlete, Ron Artest will probably have a bit of an edge. But, other than a little-known rap album, Artest’s performance experience is practically non-existent.
DWTS Potential
Sports stars often do well. Ron seems to be a charismatic man. Sports fans among the Dancing with the Stars audience might respond best to him. Still, Ron will have to contend with his height (often a problem while dancing) and a mostly-unknown partner in Peta Murgatroyd.
Want to know about the other Dancing with the Stars contestants? Click on any of the names below!
Carson Kressley
Chaz Bono
Chynna Phillips
David Arquette
Elisabetta Canalis
Hope Solo
J.R. Martinez
Kristin Cavallari
Nancy Grace
Ricki Lake
Rob Kardashian
(Image courtesy of ABC)
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
Laurel grew up in Mamaroneck, NY, Grosse Pointe, MI and Bellevue WA. She then went on to live in places like Boston, Tucson, Houston, Wales, Tanzania, Prince Edward Island and New York City before heading back to Seattle. Ever since early childhood, when she became addicted to The Muppet Show, Laurel has watched far too much TV. Current favorites include Chuck, Modern Family, Supernatural, Mad Men and Community. Laurel received a BA in Astrophysics (yes, that is possible) from Colgate University and a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies and History of Science from Columbia University before she realized that television is much better than studying.
