Dancing with the Stars

With the premiere of "Dancing With the Stars" a little over a week away, Chaz Bono hit up a local barbershop yesterday to get a haircut.

Ricki Lake is learning the hard way ... dancing HURTS -- and today she hobbled out of the "Dancing with the Stars" studio sporting one hell of a bruise on her shin.

Lake tweeted, "Not sure how my bruise turned into a medic showing up? I'm fine!!"

Our spies at "Dancing" tell us Ricki is actually one of the best dancers ... and judging from the nature of the injury, it looks like it won't cramp her style.

Moments ago, Lake explained her boo boo to TMZ ... saying, "I injured myself yesterday by hitting my heel into my shin ... I'm fine."

Chaz Bono will make a splash on "Dancing with the Stars," but people who have known her and him well tell TMZ ... it may be more like a belly flop.

Our sources say ... as a woman Chaz had NO rhythm, and there's no evidence any of Chaz' recent changes improved the situation.

The people we spoke with were very surprised Chaz agreed to the DWTS gig, but say it's more about making a statement than the dancing itself.

On the bright side, our DWTS spies tell us Chaz is well-liked among the professional dancers and contestants -- "a very cool dude," one source says.

Cher's rep is taking issue with a TMZ story, in which we said she's going to show up for at least one taping of "Dancing with the Stars" ... but we know that is precisely her plan.

Cher's rep, Liz Rosenberg, is saying Cher supports Chaz but has no plans to be at the show.

But here's the deal -- Cher's friends say that's not what the singer is saying. Cher says she will indeed be at one of the tapings but doesn't want to make a big spectacle in advance, and that's why she won't say which day she'll show up to support her son.

Cher will make a surprise appearance on "Dancing with the Stars" to support her son, Chaz Bono ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected with both Cher and Chaz tell TMZ ... the criticism over a transgender contestant has given Cher even more resolve to stand behind Chaz.

Cher is not saying which day she'll show up, but has made it clear she will be in the audience for at least one show.

And, we're told, Cher's motive is NOT to drive votes for her son -- rather to make a statement of support and a statement against what she considers to be bigotry.

Chaz Bono believes his stint on "Dancing with the Stars" will have a "positive impact on kids with gender dysphoria" -- and says it's "crazy" that people are boycotting the show.

Chaz appeared on "Good Morning America" and told George Stephanopoulos, "When I was growing up, if I would have seen someone like me on a show like this, it would have made all the difference in the world."

In the end, Chaz says he's just "a regular guy."

Gloria Allred and a famed lesbian rights activist will hold a news conference Monday to protest people who are urging children not to watch Chaz Bono on "Dancing with the Stars."

We're told there will be dance and viewing parties across the country with transgender individuals and their supporters on September 19 -- the night of Chaz's debut -- and Gloria will dance with every transgender person who wants to dance with her -- but only at the L.A. party.

The news conference will be held at Gloria's office at 10:30 AM PT. Of course, we'll nutbush (a form of line dancing) right over there.

11:20 AM: Gloria and lesbian rights activist Robin Tyler just announced their pro-Bono dance and viewing parties later this month -- where Gloria promises to show off her moves -- but sadly ... she refused to give us a preview.

Rob Kardashian has a nasty case of pre-dance jitters -- and it's starting to piss off his "Dancing with the Stars" partner.

Sources close to the show tell us Rob is very nervous and has refused to rehearse longer than 2 hours with Cheryl Burke -- while most of the contestants are logging more than 5 hour practices.

We're told Cheryl is "fed up" with what she perceives to be Rob's lack of interest in the show.

But Rob is still talking a big game ... because we're told he's bragging constantly to big sis Kim that he will top her 'DWTS' performance by making it past week 3.

Note to Rob: You don't have Kim's "assets." Get to practice.

Chaz Bono is sporting a massive grin in his, just released, official "Dancing With the Stars" photo -- and maybe that's because dude also has a right hand FULL of Lacey Schwimmer's ass.

Chaz Bono has already lost 5 pounds rehearsing for "Dancing with the Stars," but he's upset because he feels all the crappy junk food -- courtesy of producers -- is thwarting his diet.

As for the food that's pissing off the freshly-minted man ... chips, candy, granola and protein bars.

We're told Chaz has already made very specific food demands to producers.

Chaz Bono has triggered predictable controversy after signing on to do "Dancing with the Stars" -- just as producers hoped. So what will be the fallout? We gotta ask ...

Chaz Bono began his march towards the "Dancing With the Stars" title, hitting up the practice studio yesterday in Los Angeles.

The Pregnant Man -- Thomas Beatie -- claims he SHOULD HAVE been chosen to compete on "Dancing with the Stars" this season ... but says, "Chaz Bono stole my thunder."

Beatie tells TMZ ... he reached out to casting in the hopes of landing a spot a few months ago -- but never got a call back. But after DWTS announced that Chaz would be on the show, Thomas says he thinks he knows why he was rejected -- the transgender quota had already been filled.

Thomas says he understands why producers wouldn't cast two famous transgender people on the show -- but he's still pretty bummed out ... telling us, "I wanted to try my new body out. I’m an athlete and I know I would have excelled."

There's always next season ...

Nancy Grace doesn't think there's a chance in hell Casey Anthony will vote for her on "Dancing with the Stars" -- but she DOES have some advice for the Tot Mom ... confess and go to jail.

Only one problem with Nancy's advice -- it's the whole Constitution thing, which prohibits double jeopardy.

Nancy says she's a horrible dancer -- and clearly not a big fan of the 5th Amendment.

Deena from "Jersey Shore" took a break from beating up the beat at the guido clubs to work the pole at West Hollywood's most popular gay bar the Abbey last night.

The "blast in a glass" was spotted partying with "Dancing with the Stars" regulars Mark Ballas, Derek Hough, Lacey Schwimmer, as well as new contestants Rob Kardashian and Kristin Cavallari.

Nancy Grace may actually suck up to judges -- rather than go after them -- in the next few months, because she's signed on to "Dancing with the Stars" ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Grace and her partner met for the first time in Atlanta last week. This could be another Kate Gosselin situation, where Nancy practices in Atlanta so she doesn't miss her TV show ... then travels to L.A. once a week for the live performance.