'Dancing with the Stars' Casting: Chaz Bono and Kim Richards?

As the Dancing with the Stars rumor mill slowly churns to its inevitable demise on Monday (when the season 13 cast will be officially announced), the names grow more interesting. Maybe they don't grow a lot more interesting, but it's not hard to increase interest when you started with Rob Kardashian. The far-more fascinating names to pop up most recently? Chaz Bono and Kim Richards. 

Chaz Bono's name surfaced on Thursday, when it was noted that the reality star (nominated for three Emmys for the documentary, Being Chaz) had just begun to follow Mark Ballas and Karina Smirnoff, two of the DWTS professionals. However, the rumor has no other corroboration, and a recheck of Bono's Twitter page shows that he is no longer following either dancer. 

Is this an effort to squelch rumors? Or did the DWTS producers ask Chaz Bono to remove the indicators of his potential involvement? We will find out soon enough. The next name to pop up from the DWTS rumor mill is Kim Richards of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. 

Celebuzz reports that Richards has begun practicing her dance moves in anticipation of next week's official cast announcement. Considering the uncertain state of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills following the suicide of Russell Armstrong, it's not surprising that Richards might have time for a little dancing this fall. Chaz Bono and Kim Richards share the dubious distinction of being current reality/tabloid stars who have been known to the world since childhood. 

Kim Richards was a child actress, known for movies like Escape to Witch Mountain. Chaz Bono, meanwhile, was born as Chastity, the daughter of Cher and Sonny Bono.