Solo tries to master a new set of moves

September 16, 2011 at 2:38PM
Hope Solo
Hope Solo (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Hope Solo is kicking off her cleats for some dancing shoes, and it's making her about as nervous as a World Cup final.

The U.S. goalkeeper and international soccer icon will make her debut performance Monday night on the new season of "Dancing With the Stars,"

"I don't think I should have been the first from the team to be chosen for the show because of my dance moves," Solo said. "Lauren Cheney can really bust a move."

That may be true, but Solo is the one fast becoming a pop culture icon.

After losing at the World Cup final in Germany -- a shootout defeat to Japan that has already gone down as one of the greatest women's soccer games ever -- Solo has exploded into the public consciousness. She has appeared on the "Late Show" with David Letterman and landed high-profile endorsement contracts with Gatorade and Bank of America. Solo is approaching 300,000 followers on Twitter, and has embarked on numerous media tours to promote women's soccer.

Now she's dancing.

"It's been a whirlwind," she said.

Solo is partnering with "Dancing With the Stars" veteran Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Chmerkovskiy and Solo have spent about six hours a day for the last week working on their debut performance -- a Viennese waltz -- despite Solo's commitment to the U.S. national team.

She was in Kansas City this week for their first practice since their World Cup disappointment, and she will be in goal Saturday night for an exhibition against Canada.
Ferrell and funny friends

A host of funny people will be on hand on Oct. 23 at Washington's Kennedy Center when comedian Will Ferrell receives the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. They'll include Conan O'Brien, Paul Rudd, Jack Black and John C. Reilly, as well as former talk-show host Larry King, "Saturday Night Live" colleagues Lorne Michaels (recipient of the 2004 Twain Prize), Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon and Ferrell's writing partner/FunnyorDie.com co-founder, Adam McKay, the center announced. The pop/punk band Green Day is scheduled to be the musical guest. This is the 14th year for the Kennedy Center-sponsored prize. The event will air on Oct. 31 on PBS stations.

HACKING PROBE

Amid reports of nude pictures of actress Scarlett Johansson allegedly hacked from her cellphone, FBI officials confirmed a "continuing probe" into computer intrusions targeting celebrities. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller would not say how many people had been victimized or give specifics. "I can confirm that the FBI is investigating a series of computer intrusions targeting high-profile figures," Eimiller said.

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