The Dancing and Music of Michael Jackson Celebrated On “Dancing With The Stars”

Season 9 dancers pay tribute to Michael Jackson on "Dancing With The Stars". (Photo:ABC)

Dancing With The Stars was a “Thriller” night on Tuesday as all of the professional dancers performed a special tribute to Michael Jackson. Performing in the tribute were Season 9 dancers Kym Johnson, Karina Smirnoff, Cheryl Burke, Dmitry Chaplin, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Edyta Sliwinska, Anna Trebunskaya, Alec Mazo, Lacey Schwimmer , Jonathan Roberts, Mark Ballas, Tony Dovolani, Anna Demidova, Louis van Amstel, Chelsie Hightower  and Derek Hough. The show has danced to 17 performances over the years to songs of Michael Jackson. Clips and interviews were shown throughout the show with the professional dancers talking about Michael Jackson. ” He is an inspiration to anyone who wants to dance ” stated dancer Mark Ballas. Michael’s siblings, Jermaine Jackson and LaToya Jackson also spoke on the taped tribute talking about Michael’s love of dance and his love for the show Dancing With The Stars.

The dancers performed to “I Want You Back”, Man In The Mirror” and “Thriller”. Latoya Jackson introduced the musical tribute.

Along in the audience with LaToya Jackson were Michael’s mother Katharine Jackson and brother Jermaine Jackson.

Dancing With The Stars airs Monday and Tuesday nights on ABC.

Dancing With The Stars season 9 partners announced

ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” premiering on Monday, Sept. 21, has just released its celebrity-dancer pairings for the ninth season.

Politician Tom DeLay will be dancing with Cheryl Burke, a two-time champion.

Debi Mazar, of “Entourage,” has veteran Maksim Chmerkovskiy as her partner.

Kelly Osbourne is with Louis van Amstel (fifth season) and Donny Osmond is paired with Kym Johnson (seventh season.)

Teen idol Aaron Carter will be twirling it with Karina Smirnoff, who’s back for her seventh season.

Grammy winner Macy Gray is dancing with Jonathan Roberts, now in his seventh season as well.

The television actress Melissa Joan Hart will be sdancing  with two-time champion Mark Ballas.

Comedian Ashley Hamilton will be partnered with Edyta Sliwinska, the only professional to have competed in all nine seasons.

Model Kathy Ireland is with Tony Dovolani, who previously danced with Susan Lucci.

The model Joanna Krupa is partnered with Season 7 champion Derek Hough.

Singer Mya is with Dmitry Chaplin in his second season on the show.

Natalie Coughlin, Olympic champion swimmer, teams with dancing champion Alec Mazo from Season 1.

Michael Irvin, NFL hall of famer, is with Anna Demidova, the winner of last seasons professional dancer contest.

Ultimate fighter Chuck Liddell will dane with Anna Trebunskaya.

And finally, professional snowboarder, Louie Vito joins Chelsea Hightower in her second season.