Dancing With the Stars

Laurie Hernandez

<p>After bringing home the gold and silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Laurie Hernandez went on to win the coveted mirror ball trophy on <em>Dancing with the Stars</em>, and to publish two books:<em> I Got This: To Gold</em> <em>and Beyond</em>, in 2017, and a picture book for children,<em> She’s Got This</em>, in 2018. Both were <em>New York Times </em>bestsellers.

J. R. Martinez

<p>J.R. Martinez is an actor, best-selling author, motivational speaker, advocate, and wounded U.S. Army veteran. He is many things. But perhaps most significantly, he is an inspiration.</p><p>In March of 2003, J.R. was deployed to Iraq. On April 5, he was driving a Humvee in Karbala when his left front tire hit a roadside bomb. The three other soldiers were ejected from the burning vehicle, but J.R. was trapped inside. He suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to 34 percent of his body. J.R.

Aly Raisman

<p>Aly Raisman, team captain of the gold medal winning U.S. Olympic Women’s Gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, is the second most decorated American gymnast of all-time with six total Olympic medals. </p><p>The most decorated U.S. gymnast at the 2012 Games, Raisman captured the hearts of millions as she became the first American gymnast to win gold in the floor exercise. One of only two U.S.

Miral Kotb

<p>Miral Kotb is one of the entertainment world’s trail-blazing entrepreneurs—a software developer, dancer, and choreographer who found a way to combine her passion for writing code with her love of dance.

Amy Purdy

<p>Oprah Winfrey calls Amy Purdy her inspiration. As a young girl, Purdy dreamed of sailing through fresh powder restrained only by a snowboard attached to two feet. Above all, she dreamed of freedom, of the chance to craft a personal narrative of her own choosing.

Shawn Johnson East

<p>Since she was a little girl, Shawn Johnson East dreamed of competing for the United States in the Olympics. By 2008, when she was named to the US Olympics Gymnastics Team, she was already a two-time National Champion, and a World AA Champion.</p>

<p>At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Johnson East helped establish the United States as one of the most talented teams in the world, winning the individual gold medal in the balance beam, and three silver medals in the individual all-around, floor exercise, and team categories.</p>

Nyle DiMarco

<p>Nyle DiMarco, winner of <em>Dancing with the Stars</em> and <em>America’s Next Top Model</em>, empowers audiences to believe they can do and be anything they want in life, no matter the obstacle.</p><p>He won the mirror ball trophy on ABC’s <em>Dancing with the Stars</em> (season 22) and was the last model standing on The CW’s <em>America’s Next Top Model</em> (cycle 22), now Nyle is winning over audiences as an influential leader and ambassador for the deaf community.