The iconic mirrorball trophy is polishing its tiles for another round, and if the star-studded roster for Season 35 is any indication, the upcoming competition will be nothing short of electric. The official cast reveal delivered a blend of Hollywood royalty, Olympic royalty, internet icons, and high-energy reality television fan favorites, all set to take over the ballroom.
Leading the charge is actress and former professional dancer Jenna Dewan, whose casting feels like a full-circle cinematic moment. Paired with veteran pro Val Chmerkovskiy, Dewan’s entry instantly sets a high bar for technique and stage presence. The announcement landed right as she celebrates a major career milestone.
“This is like such a crazy, huge moment for me. For Step Up, it’s the 20th anniversary of it,” Dewan shared during the reveal. When asked if fans can expect her to dust off some signature moves from her breakout film, her answer was immediate: “Yes, we have to right?” Chmerkovskiy added, “I think there’s incredible expectation from general, rightfully so, and I’m excited for that.”
Joining Dewan in the lineup is Save the Last Dance star Julia Stiles, who is teaming up with pro Ezra Sosa. For Stiles, stepping onto the dance floor fulfills a dream she has quietly carried for more than a decade.
“I’m truly obsessed with the show and I have been for over a decade,” Stiles admitted. “It’s been a secret dream to be there, and I was always just too scared to say yes until now.”
Adding even more dance heritage to the cast is Grey’s Anatomy actor Harry Shum Jr., paired with pro Jenna Johnson. Known for his show-stopping background dancing years before his acting breakout, Shum proved he hasn’t lost a step when he busted out an impromptu move right on stage, catching the eye of veteran judge Bruno Tonioli.
“I think he’s in business,” Tonioli exclaimed.
The rest of the celebrity roster spans an eclectic mix of talent:
- Tatyana Ali (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) with Jan Ravnik.
- Tyler Cameron (The Bachelor) with Sharna Burgess, marking Burgess’s celebrated return after a five-season hiatus.
- Giada De Laurentiis (Celebrity Chef) with Alan Bersten.
- Taylor Hanson (Musician) with Britt Stewart.
- Connor Wood (Comedian/Podcaster) with Rylee Arnold.
- Ezra Frech (Paralympic Gold Medalist) with Daniella Karagach.
- Amber Glenn (Olympic Figure Skater) with Pasha Pashkov.
- Ciara Miller (Summer House) with Brandon Armstrong.
- Maura Higgins (Love Island UK) with Mark Ballas.
- Guillermo Rodriguez (Jimmy Kimmel Live!) with Witney Carson.
- Jackson Olson (Savannah Bananas) with Emma Slater.
- Conner Leavitt (Husband of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt) with Adele Zaikman.
- Sarah Jane Nader (Sister of model Brooks Nader) with Hailey Bills.
Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro noted that he discovered his former co-star Tatyana Ali was joining the cast the same way the rest of the world did—through social media. “I’ve said many times, the show never tells me anything, literally keep me in the dark until the last minute about everything,” Ribeiro joked.
The new season arrives on the heels of a massive viewership resurgence, with the Season 34 finale drawing over 9.2 million viewers. Adding to the buzz, reigning champion Witney Carson will compete while in her second trimester of pregnancy, making history as the first pro to dance that far along in an active season.
Dancing with the Stars returns for a two-night premiere on Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, on ABC and Disney+, streaming the next day on Hulu.
