The full roster for the thirty‑fifth series of Dancing with the Stars was revealed on Good Morning America, confirming a two‑night premiere set for 15 September 2026. The show will welcome back judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli, while Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as hosts. A mix of actors, athletes, reality personalities and social‑media stars will hit the ballroom floor, each paired with a professional dancer.
Lineup unveiled on Good Morning America
Among the first names announced were longtime Jimmy Kimmel Live sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez, who will dance with pregnant pro Witney Carson. Rodriguez, discovered while working as a security guard at the Hollywood Boulevard Masonic Temple studio, said on air: “I’m excited! I’m very happy,” adding that he accepted Kimmel’s playful request not to lose “a single adorable pound” with the reply: “I promise. If I lose five pounds, I’m gonna gain 10 pounds back right away!”
Reality star Ciara Miller, known from Summer House, was also confirmed early. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, executive producer Deena Katz remarked: “I already knew Ciara. She was on Traitors, and she’s wonderful. She’s stunning, she’s gorgeous; she’s all these things. And then the stuff that happened to her, it was a really of the moment thing that we all felt like it was the right time. We really wanted her on the show, but it was also the right time to announce her.” Miller will be partnered with Brandon Armstrong, who is still chasing his first Mirrorball Trophy.
Irish television favourite Maura Higgins, 35, will team up with Mark Ballas. Katz told the same outlet: “[Maura] texts me every time she’s coming to L.A. She wants to have lunch. She’s been dying to do the show, and she’s fantastic. She’s great television. [Maura] is exactly what our show is, and she’s having a moment right now, so that was a no‑brainer. And knowing what was going to happen with Traitors and seeing the buzz about her, she was fantastic.” Higgins previously appeared on The Traitors and various UK reality shows.
Notable pairings and returning stars
Savannah Bananas baseball star Jackson Olson, 28, will trade his cleats for dance shoes alongside Emma Slater. On Good Morning America he reflected: “I was a shy kid that never danced, never put myself out there, and never entertained… And now I kind of manifested this whole thing.” Olson’s multi‑million‑strong TikTok and Instagram following highlights the series’ push to incorporate social‑media talent.
Actress Jenna Dewan, 45, returns to her dance roots with Val Chmerkovskiy, recalling her early work as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson and later collaborations with Pink, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott. Fellow Glee alum Harry Shum Jr., 44, will be guided by Jenna Johnson, bringing his own choreographic background to the floor.
Former Bachelorette runner‑up Tyler Cameron, 33, will dance with Sharna Burgess, who is making a comeback after a five‑year hiatus. Cameron is set to host the forthcoming HGPT series Let’s Go Back to Your Place, slated for a 2027 debut.
Paralympic gold medallist Ezra Frech, 21, will be partnered with Daniella Karagach. Frech, an above‑the‑knee left‑leg amputee, co‑founded Angel City Sports and hopes his appearance will raise awareness for adaptive athletics.
Chef Giada De Laurentiis, 56, whose Food Network show Everyday Italian ran for twelve seasons, will take on Alan Bersten, boasting more than 2.5 million Instagram followers alone.
Emmy‑ and Golden Globe‑nominated actress Julia Stiles, 45, will compete with Ezra Sosa. Best known for her turn as Kat Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You, Stiles has also appeared in the Bourne franchise, Dexter, Silver Linings Playbook and Hustlers, and previously showcased her moves in Save the Last Dance.
Historic same‑sex partnership makes waves
The series welcomes its third ever same‑sex celebrity‑professional pairing, and the second all‑female duo. Sarah Jane Nader, 23, who came out as bisexual during the first season of her family’s reality show Love Thy Nader, will dance with Hailey Bills. Bills earned her pro spot after serving as a troupe member in season 34. This follows the groundbreaking JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson collaboration from season 30 in 2021, marking a continued step toward greater inclusivity on the dance floor.
What the two‑night premiere promises
The opening episodes will showcase each couple’s first performances, with the judging panel ready to offer feedback and the hosts guiding the live audience. With a blend of seasoned performers, fresh faces and a landmark same‑sex partnership, season 35 aims to capture both the glamour and the evolving cultural conversation that has become a hallmark of the franchise. Viewers can expect a mix of emotional back‑stories, technical showcases and the occasional surprise, all leading toward the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
Why it Matters
This season’s casting reflects a deliberate effort by Dancing with the Stars to mirror contemporary media landscapes, embracing social‑media influencers, Paralympic athletes and LGBTQ+ representation while retaining the show’s traditional glamour. By pairing stars like Julia Stiles and Jenna Dewan with seasoned pros and introducing a historic same‑sex celebrity‑pro duo, the programme not only entertains but also signals broader cultural shifts, potentially influencing how other competition shows approach diversity and inclusivity in future seasons.
