The orders were clear. Producers of ABC’s smash-hit “Dancing With The Stars” were to hunt down “more high profile” celebrities for the upcoming season of the reality-competition show. After several seasons of D-list stars ranging from “The Hills” Audrina Patridge or “The Girls Next Door” Kendra Wilkinson and Holly Madison to even reality super mom Kate Gosselin, the show was hoping for bigger names that perhaps were more than just reality stars.

It appears that they have been unsuccessful with following orders.

The rumored cast for season 13, set to premiere September 19, includes “Jersey Shore’s” Nicole ‘Snookie’ Polizzi and Rob Kardashian, brother to more famous sisters Kim, Kourtney and Khloe. In addition, just this week, Access Hollywood reported “The Hills” veteran Kristin Cavallari has signed on to the new season. Would she have been asked if her fiancé, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, called off their wedding just a few weeks ago?

To be fair, other rumored stars include singer and actress Queen Latifah, Mike Tyson, Los Angeles Laker Ron Artest and actress Tiffani Thiessen, all fairly familiar names that adults over thirty-years-old would recognize.

With huge ratings such as season 12’s two-part finale which each received over 20 million viewers, one may think celebrities would love the exposure and new fans they could develop over the season. In addition, several past winners have gone on to receive even more job offers. Season 10 winner Nicole Scherzinger is now a judge on Simon Cowell’s upcoming “X-Factor.” She also was a judge on NBC’s “The Sing Off.”  Brooke Burke, winner of season seven, was able to receive a new hosting job (she is now the host of “Dancing With The Stars”). In addition, stars were put back in the spotlight such as Jennifer Grey and Shawn Johnson.

The biggest reason big-name stars may be staying away from the show is simply because the show is hard work. Contestants work multiple days a week to learn new routines. Hours and hours of dancing and exercising isn't appealing to many. This isn’t “The Real World” where you can sleep all day and party all night or “The Celebrity Apprentice” where you film one challenge every 1-2 days. It’s a commitment many stars aren’t willing to take on.

Producers shouldn’t worry though. Viewers have tuned in regardless if an Oscar Winner or playboy bunny has competed in the show. And nothing is official just yet. Stay tuned for the final cast announcement August 29 during an episode of “The Bachelor Pad.”

Reach writer Mike Vulpo here