Dancing with the Stars Says 'Bienvenidos' to Ricky Martin and GMA's Robin Roberts as Guest Judges
Adding celebrity guest judges to reality TV shows has become the trend these days for major networks to further compete for ratings. For example, NBC's The Voice has added guest mentors, such as Coldplay's Chris Martin and Panamanian singer Aloe Blacc -- and now ABC's Dancing with the Stars is adding a handful of new guest judges, including Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Ricky Martin and Good Morning America's news anchor Robin Roberts.
Martin, who kicked off his music career in the Latin boy band, Menudo in the 1980s, gained worldwide attention in 1998 with his FIFA World Cup, La Copa de la Vida (Cup Of Life), a hit song that helped make his career soar.
GMA's Roberts, who is also a breast cancer survivor, will be the first guest judge to join DWTS' professional dance judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli on March 31.
"I am nervous... but you got to step outside of your comfort zone," Roberts said on Tuesday's GMA. "I think I am going to take the perspective of those who normally watch at home."
According to ABC News, Roberts Roberts marked her 50th birthday on GMA in 2010 by dancing the cha -cha with DWTS professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Other celebrity guest judges include ex-DWTS professional dancer Julianna Hough, who was also a judge in the show's 17th season, as well as LMFAO's Redfoo.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, adding a guest judge is just one of many changes DWTS has made in its 18th season, which included replacing longtime co-host Brooke Burke with Erin Andrews.
In an attempt to boost ratings, producers have overhauled the show with more current music and increased audience participation.
In addition, DWTS replaced longtime bandleader Harold Wheeler with Ray Chew, and his new, smaller band will be more focused on current hits,THR adds.
DWTS is also jumping on the social media bandwagon a bit more where viewers can vote via Twitter to change celebrity and professional dance pairings, a switch that will be unveiled on the April 7 edition of the show.
Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m.