Although it's Fashion Week, fashion designer Betsey Johnson can't keep her mind of "Dancing With the Stars."

Johnson will compete against 14 other celebrities for the mirrorball trophy in Season 19 of the ABC competition show.

"I love to dance and I wanted to end up being a showgirl, but you know, high school and cheerleading and boys got in the way," Johnson told New York Post on Wednesday while backstage at her show at Salon in Lincoln Center, Manhattan. "I'm at work like two weeks ago, and I get a call -- 'Wanna do 'Dancing With the Stars'?' I was like, 'What? Yes, yes!'"

The designer is already getting a lot of attention for deciding to join the show as she is one of the older contestants at 72 years old.

"She might be 72, but she's got such youthful energy," Tony Dovolani, Johnson's professional dancer partner, said backstage. "[During rehearsal,] we don't take breaks. From the beginning to the end, she's like go, go, go."

While Dovolani is marveling at Johnson's dedication, Johnson is marveling at her partner's looks.

"He is so hot," she said. "Hotter than him is his hot, hot wife, and hot kids," she said. "I love that he's a family guy, yet is the hottest, sexiest dancer on the planet."

It's not just Dovolani's family that Johnson is excited about, however. Johnson also spoke to Glamour magazine during Fashion Week and revealed how much her family is anticipating "Dancing With the Starts."

"It's the biggest thrill of my life, and my daughter's life and my grandkids' life," she said. "I mean, it is just ridiculous, crazy, great."

Recently, Johnson shared some of her strategy for the season.

"Think I'm going to wear one of the those backless diamond fringe outfits?" she told Us Weekly. "No, I'm going to keep it very real."

Fans can also keep their eyes peeled for Johnson's signature cartwheel, which she does at the end of all of her fashion shows.

"I know I won't screw that up," the fashion designer said.

"Dancing With the Stars" premieres Sept. 15 at 8 p.m.

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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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