There’s a special kind of electricity that fills the air when Dancing With the Stars gears up for a brand-new season, and for season 35, that energy is already palpable. Fans of the long-running competition series have been eagerly waiting for news about what’s to come, and the show’s beloved faces have finally started to step into the spotlight. On Tuesday, September 1, the Good Morning America studio felt like a warm-up to the ballroom as judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli gathered to officially usher in the new season. They weren’t alone—cohosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro were right there beside them, confirming that the entire hosting and judging team will be back when the show returns this fall. For viewers who have grown up watching these personalities argue, laugh, and occasionally wipe away tears over a perfect score, seeing them together again feels like a reunion of old friends. There’s comfort in the familiar, but as Derek teased during the appearance, there’s also something fresh brewing. “You can expect what you know and love about Dancing With the Stars, but also an energized show … It’s going to be an incredible season,” he said, with genuine enthusiasm that made it clear he’s not just saying the words—he truly believes them. That promise of something familiar yet excitingly new is exactly what fans need to hear after waiting through the off-season.
Of course, a huge part of what makes Dancing With the Stars so irresistible is the mix of glitz, glamour, and sheer unpredictability. The judging panel and hosts are the steady hands guiding the ship, but the real magic comes from watching celebrities transform into dancers, often surprising themselves and the audience along the way. With Carrie Ann, Derek, and Bruno returning to their iconic seats, and Julianne and Alfonso handling hosting duties with their signature charm, the infrastructure is firmly in place for a season full of drama and delight. And the themes? Well, Julianne dropped a tantalizing hint that left fans buzzing. She mentioned that there will be one particular night with “really fun” fashion, though she playfully refused to spill any further details. That kind of cryptic tease is classic DWTS—they love to keep people guessing, and it only adds to the excitement. The anticipation reached a fever pitch when it was announced that GMA would reveal the full cast of celebrities and pros on Wednesday, September 2. That announcement day has become something of a holiday for dedicated fans, who love to speculate, make predictions, and decide who they’ll root for before a single dance is even performed. The countdown to that moment was full of hopeful theories and wish lists, and the reveal promised to be one of the most talked-about mornings on television.
Even before the full roster was announced, a few names had already slipped out, and they’re enough to get anyone excited. Summer House star Ciara Miller and Traitors alum Maura Higgins were among the first confirmed members of the star-studded season 35 cast, bringing their reality TV instincts and larger-than-life personalities to the competition. They’ll be joined by Jackson Olson, an athlete from the Savannah Bananas baseball team, whose viral, entertainment-first approach to the sport suggests he won’t be afraid to take risks on the dance floor. And then there’s Guillermo Rodriguez, the beloved sidekick from Jimmy Kimmel Live!, whose announcement brought a smile to many faces. At 55, Guillermo is proof that you don’t need to be a professional dancer or a spring chicken to chase the mirrorball; you just need heart, determination, and a willingness to be vulnerable on national television. He’s paired with pro Witney Carson, who is no stranger to success—she took home the season 34 mirrorball trophy with Robert Irwin last fall. But here’s the twist that makes this partnership even more compelling: Carson competed during her early pregnancy, and she announced she’s expecting her third child. In an exclusive interview, she opened up about what it’s been like juggling the rigors of rehearsal with the physical demands of growing a human. “I was telling Guillermo, like, I feel exactly the same physically,” she said. “I’m just more out of breath … but I really feel physically, like, I don’t feel like I’m pregnant at all. I feel like I can do all the same things, which is such a blessing.” Her positive attitude is infectious, and fans can’t help but admire her strength and dedication.
Witney’s candidness about her pregnancy and her continued passion for performing is a lovely reminder that Dancing With the Stars is about more than just competition—it’s about human resilience and joy. She mentioned that she’s “starting to have a little bit more energy” now that her morning sickness has subsided, and she’s embracing the challenge with humor. “I know [it will] start to get a little bit harder once I get a little bit bigger, but you know, I can still lift Guillermo. I can still toss him up in the air,” she joked, before adding a wise caveat: “No, but I suspect that it should go pretty smoothly, and obviously, the health of the baby is the most important thing. And Guillermo understands that, as well. But we’re just gonna try and have fun.” That balance of determination and levity is what makes Witney so relatable, and her partnership with Guillermo seems destined to be one of the fan favorites. But she’s not the only pro making a triumphant return. Sharna Burgess, who has been away from the ballroom for five years, announced she’s officially back in action. Her emotional reveal on GMA was enough to give longtime viewers goosebumps. “I’m back!” she gushed. “Some of you guys guessed it … I’m back on Dancing With the Stars, baby. I’m gonna be competing for that Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. I can’t wait to be back in the ballroom with my dancing family. And mostly, it feels so good to be coming home.” That word—“home”—resonates deeply. For Burgess, and for so many others associated with the show, DWTS isn’t just a job; it’s a community, a place where creative souls find belonging and purpose. Her return after such a long absence is a gift to fans who’ve missed her artistry, and it adds another layer of excitement to an already loaded season.
The cast rumors and reports have only intensified the buzz. Ahead of the official reveal, Us Weekly reported that Bachelor Nation’s Tyler Cameron and Step Up star Jenna Dewan are expected to appear on season 35. If true, that would be a major get—Jenna Dewan, of course, has deep ties to the Step Up franchise and knows a thing or two about dance, making her a potential frontrunner before she even steps foot in the ballroom. Meanwhile, Connor Leavitt, the husband of reality star Whitney Leavitt, and Sarah Jane Nader, the sister of model Brooks Nader, were also said to be in the mix. That blend of household names and lesser-known personalities is exactly what Dancing With the Stars does best. Every season, viewers are introduced to people they might not have heard of before, and by the end, they’re emotionally invested in their journeys. The reveal itself, hosted on GMA, promised to be a spectacular event, complete with dramatic music, camera flashes, and the nervous smiles of celebrities about to embark on the ride of a lifetime. For the pros, the announcement day is equally nerve-wracking, as they wait to see who their partner will be and how they’ll click. The chemistry between celebrity and pro is the heart of the show, and it can make or break a season. With such a diverse group of contestants, there’s no shortage of potential pairings that could produce either sparks or spectacular train wrecks—and honestly, both are entertaining to watch.
As the premiere date draws closer, the excitement is only going to intensify. Dancing With the Stars will return with a two-night event on ABC and Disney+, beginning Tuesday, September 15, at 8 p.m. ET. That’s right—two nights of glitz, sweat, sequins, and maybe a few tears. The show is pulling out all the stops to make season 35 feel like an event, and the promise of “an energized show” from Derek Hough is enough to keep fans on the edge of their seats until the first beat drops. There’s something deeply comforting about the return of a beloved show, especially one that has been through so many changes over the years. The loss of the legendary Len Goodman, whose name now adorns the mirrorball trophy, still weighs heavily on the hearts of everyone involved. But in a way, his memory lives on in every performance, every lifted leg, every perfectly executed paso doble. The fact that Sharna Burgess specifically mentioned competing for the “Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy” underscores the emotional weight of this season. It’s a tribute, a celebration, and a competition all rolled into one. So, as fans ready their scorecards and prepare to pick their favorites, one thing is certain: season 35 is shaping up to be a memorable ride. Whether it’s watching Witney Carson dance with a baby on the way, celebrating Sharna Burgess’s long-awaited homecoming, or rooting for underdogs like Guillermo Rodriguez, there’s a story for everyone. The ballroom is about to open its doors, and we couldn’t be more ready to dance along.
