Melanie C, Jimmie Allen tease their 'DWTS' season 30 journeys

By Stephen Hubbard & Andrea Dresdale

"Dancing With the Stars" season 30 kicks off tonight and Jimmie Allen and Melanie C know the competition is going to be tough.

Allen, for one, told ABC Audio he doesn't exactly have the kind of dance knowledge that would give him a leg up against the other contestants.

"When it comes to ballroom dancing ... I have no idea what I'm doing," he said. "I did musical theater, but it's a completely different style, you know. I realized that the first day of rehearsals. I was like, 'Goodness! What am I doing out here?'"

The 36-year-old country singer, known for hits like "Freedom Was a Highway," said he doesn't think he has any advantage in the ballroom but hopes to win over America with his personality.

"I think if I can get more camera time talking and just hanging out than dancing, and let people judge me off of that, we're good. We're gonna take that Mirror Ball [trophy] home," he said. "But since they judge me on, you know, being on the show with dancing and stuff, I'm in trouble."

As for Melanie C, she is ready to represent for the Spice Girls fans out there since her fellow Spice Girl Mel B came in second place back on season 5 of "DWTS."

"Mel B did an incredible job in 2007, so I had someone to call up and go, 'What d'ya think?'" she said via promotional interview for the show. "And she's so excited ... all the Spice Girls are so excited for me. And I'm really excited because I know it's a wonderful experience."

That said, Melanie C definitely does "Wannabe" the winner this season to make her girl group sisters proud, but also to do this for herself.

"'Dancing With this Stars' is something I've always wanted to do, and I just haven't had the opportunity," she said. "And when opportunity came knocking, I jumped at the chance."

As for whether or not the 47-year-old pop star, known for solo hits like "I Turn to You," has an edge over her fellow celebrities, it's a mixed bag.

"I danced a lot as a kid. I did ballet, modern and tap, and I feel like, you know, that gives me a good start," Melanie C teased.

"I also know ballroom and Latin are very, very different and they're very technical. And I think sometimes it can kind of work against you when you've trained your body in a certain way," she added. "But I am up for the challenge and I'm very determined to do a good job."

"Dancing With the Stars" season 30 premieres Monday, Sept. 20, at 8 p.m. on ABC.