Dancing with the Stars

Our "DWTS" spies tell us that Brandy is leading the pack when it comes to raw, natural talent -- and the talk amongst the dancers is that she's gonna "blow the competition out of the water" when the new season finally debuts.

In fact, we're told there are certain moves that took past "DWTS" contestants months to learn ... but Brandy mastered those in just a couple of days.

Sources close to the show tell TMZ, Tony and Maks turn over a new leaf before every performance -- but it ain't your average brew.

We're told Maks' favorite drink is a white tea infused with blueberries ... and Tony prefers a sweet herbal tea with notes of caramel ... both from a company called Dr. Tea's.

According to sources at The Palazzo, residents are required to sign a no-noise agreement before they move in -- and if they get even one complaint after that ... it's eviction time, no excuses.

Strict noise policy aside, the joint is pretty sweet -- we're told they have a Saturday brunch by the pool and also boast a fully functioning spa.

But in all seriousness ... The Palazzo is a giant, swanky apartment community the size of a small city that happens to be located right near the CBS lot where "Dancing with the Stars" shoots. We're told he had his eyes on a unit that ran more than $5k per month ... but no sweat off his brow -- "DWTS" picks up the tab.

Our sources tell us Mark canceled Monday's rehearsal because of a party for his mother. But Bristol canceled Tuesday because she had committed to giving a speech. And Bristol canceled Wednesday because her son, Tripp, was ill. And she was only able to practice a half day on Thursday.

Some members of the cast tell us ... Mark is worried the newbie just won't cut it when the show premieres a week from Monday.

But there's another side to this story ... sources connected with the show tell us Mark was really happy with Bristol's progress on Friday and they will be practicing the entire weekend and every day next week until the first live TV show.

Pam's Season 10 partner Damian Whitewood tells TMZ, they already got the ball rolling with a recent appearance on Australia's "DWTS" -- but according to our sources, the duo's upcoming appearances across the planet aren't affiliated with the star-studded dancing competition.

As for how it got started -- we're told Pam's been getting offers to shake it on various TV shows in Japan, Israel, Australia and Europe ever since her stint on the show earlier this year ... and she decided, why not?

Despite their recent split, Levi claims he has "nothing but warm wishes" for Bristol on the show ... even though she'll be spending lots of quality body grinding time with another man ... Mark Ballas.

As for their kid -- Tripp has moved to Los Angeles with mommy while Levi works on his reality show in Wasilla, AK. In fact, a source close to Bristol tells us she's already hired a nanny to watch Tripp while she gets her practice on.

Edyta -- who danced with the show since its first season in 2005 -- tells TMZ, "The producers' vision of what they wanted my career to be did not meet my expectations. They wanted my career to be the show. I can't be a dancer my whole life."

Edyta also claims she was bummed over the way producers dealt with her husband -- Season 1 champ Alec Mazo -- telling us, "I want to work more with my husband and [the producers] didn't make him a big part of the show or very involved."

As for Edyta's post-DWTS plans -- she tells us, "I am also going back to school to get my degree in Communications and Dance. I also have more projects that I want to work on."

However, a source close to the show tells TMZ Edyta is still under contract ... which means she just can't waltz away.

Sources connected to The Situation tell us the "stars" are scheduled to begin rehearsing on Monday -- but since Sitch still has serious "Jersey Shore" obligations (taping, appearances, etc) that dude won't be able to slip on his Capezios until at least September 8.

... and since it'll probably take a couple more days to shake that nasty "Jersey Shore" hangover ... who knows when Sitch could be ready to begin practicing for the September 20 premiere.

Bottom line -- Sitch will get almost half the prep time as Bristol Palin, Kurt Warner, David Hasselhoff and Audrina Patridge ... then again, he's the only one with a job.

TMZ ran into the "Dancing with the Stars" dancer yesterday at the B2V Salon in Beverly Hills -- where the super nice two-stepper talked about his man grooming session ... and the possibility of Octomom Nadya Suleman being his dance partner on the upcoming season of the show.

Sources connected with the show tell TMZ ... 49-year-old Corky Ballas -- a retired professional ballroom dancer -- will partner up with 76-year-old Florence Henderson beginning September 20.

Octomom's legal eagle, Jeff Czech, tells TMZ, "Nadya is in top physical shape. She has been working out for months. She has had a strong interest in dance and 'Dancing with the Stars' is one of the few shows that she takes time to watch."

Czech adds, "She'd love to do it."

Our spies at "Dancing" tell us Nadya is not on their short list. We're thinkin' she should be ... because at the very least she's got a built-in audience at home.

Nothing's official yet -- but according to sources close to the reality star, the deadline for negotiations is Monday ... so we should have a definite answer by then.

Troy was leaving Red O restaurant in L.A. when he broke the news.

It's pretty unusual for a celeb to spill the beans before ABC makes its official announcement ... so if he was being serious, there might be some hell to pay down the line.

Calls to ABC have not yet been returned.

UPDATE: Apparently, Troy was kidding ... and posted the following message on his Twitter page -- "I will not be on DWTS ... interferes with American Idol auditions."