The celebrities who will be appearing in season 21 of ABC's dancing reality show "Dancing with the Stars" will be announced by next week and speculations are rife that Nick Carter will be one of the contestants.

People connected with the show told the media that Carter, of Backstreet Boys fame, has yet to sign the contract, but they are confident he will be in the upcoming season. Another name that's doing the rounds is Alexa PenaVega, an actress and singer best known for her role as Carmen Cortez in the "Spy Kids" film series.

According to E!News, Jodie Sweetin, Caitlyn Jenner and Rick Schroeder were also approached for a DWTS gig. But they had to turn it down due to other commitments.

For instance, Sweetin had to back out because of her new Netflix series "Fuller House" and Schroeder is busy with NBC's "Coat of Colors" and Jenner is currently starring in her reality show "I Am Cait" on Sunday nights.

The only celebrity whose presence has been confirmed is Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin and Terri Irwin.

"I'm really, really excited and so honored to be a part of this new journey and new chapter of my life," she said during an appearance on Good Morning America. "I have to tell you, this is completely different to anything I have ever done in my life. I'm used to wrangling crocodiles!"

She also added that she hopes to make her dad proud. "Dad was that one person who no matter what he did in life he just took it by storm, and he was so passionate and just really lived in the moment," she said.

"Whatever the opposite of a procrastinator is, that was him... and I think I kind of inherited a little bit of that. I'm hoping to make dad proud."

When "Dancing with the Stars" returns in September, it will be without one of its longtime judges — Len Goodman. Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Julianne Hough will return as judges for season 21.

"Dancing with the Stars" premieres 14 September at 8 pm ET on ABC.

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