'Bachelor' star Sean Lowe on 'Dancing,' TV wedding

[March 13, 2013]  NEW YORK (AP) -- What do you do after winning viewers' hearts as "The Bachelor"? If you're Sean Lowe, you put on your dancing shoes.

ABC says Lowe is headed to "Dancing With the Stars." He steps up fresh from his engagement to Catherine Giudici at the conclusion of the recent season of "The Bachelor."

"I don't know if there's anything more challenging to me than learning how to do classical ballroom dance," 29-year-old Lowe said in an interview, calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The reality star says he made sure Giudici was on board with the idea before he signed on.

"Of course I'll be in the front row," added 26-year-old Giudici, who confessed she's looking forward to meeting fellow contestant and Bravo reality star Lisa Vanderpump.

Besides, Lowe's dance training could make for a great first dance at their wedding.

"That was part of the motivation," Lowe said with a laugh. "Hopefully we can impress everyone on our wedding night."

Those nuptials, the couple says, will take place in the same way they fell in love: on TV. So far, no specific plans have been made but they hope it happens "somewhat soon." They're just happy to be public as a couple.

"I wanted to gush and tell everybody," said Giudici of keeping the relationship under wraps. "We just channeled that energy into each other and focused on our relationship."

A Dallas businessman, Lowe will compete for the disco-ball trophy when "Dancing With the Stars" returns for its 16th season Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern time. He will partner with Peta Murgatroyd.

Fans of "The Bachelor" franchise can also look forward to "The Bachelorette." Twenty-six-year-old Desiree Hartsock, who was rejected by Lowe on "The Bachelor," has been chosen as the lead of that show.

"Des is a really sweet girl. America already loves her. As long as she is herself and I know she has sincere intentions ... she's gonna be just fine," said Lowe.

"The Bachelorette" is set to debut May 20.

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Online:

http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelorette/

[Associated Press; By ALICIA RANCILIO]

Alicia Rancilio covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow her online at http://twitter.com/aliciar.

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