The return of Dancing with the Stars for its 35th season has sparked intense debate among fans, with judge Carrie Ann Inaba stepping forward to address concerns over the dance credentials of new contestants. While some viewers question whether celebrities like Julia Stiles, Jenna Dewan, and Harry Shum Jr. possess an unfair edge due to their impressive dance backgrounds, Inaba argues that the transition from other dance styles to ballroom is far more complex than it appears.
The Art of Un-Training the Body
Inaba, a seasoned judge on the programme, emphasised that ballroom dancing demands a completely different muscle memory than jazz, hip-hop or contemporary. “What’s difficult — and I don’t think people realise this — is when you go from being a jazz dancer or a hip-hop dancer or all the other forms of dancing [to ballroom], the weight placement is so different,” she explained in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. She went on to note that while the body may feel like it already knows how to move, it’s actually working against itself. “It takes a lot of time to un-train the body to put your weight on the front more over your toes instead of back and down and grounded,” Inaba added.
Celebrity Dancers: Rhythm vs. Ballroom Technique
The 2026 line-up features three performers with notable dance pedigrees. Jenna Dewan, 45, began her career as a backup dancer on Janet Jackson’s 2001 tour and has since appeared in high-profile music videos and films, including the 2006 hit Step Up. Julia Stiles, also 45, showcased her movement skills in the 1999 teen classic *10 Things I Hate About You* and played an aspiring ballerina in the 2001 film Save the Last Dance. Harry Shum Jr., 44, best known for his role in Glee, started as a backup dancer for major artists before joining the Step Up franchise.
Inaba acknowledged that these contestants do bring certain advantages: “They’ve got the rhythm and they’ve got the musicality and they know how to dance. They know how to learn choreography and remember choreography.” However, she cautioned that their dance careers are not recent. “It’s been a few years since they’ve all danced, right?” she said, suggesting that time away from the floor may level the playing field.
History Repeats: Not All Dance Experience Leads to Glory
Past seasons have seen mixed results from contestants with dance backgrounds. Heather Morris, a former Beyoncé backup dancer, finished eighth in season 24 despite her experience. Broadway veteran and former Rockette Amanda Kloots placed fourth in season 30. On the other hand, TikTok star Charli D’Amelio, actor Jordan Fisher, and Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis—all with dance or movement training—went on to win their respective seasons.
The pattern suggests that while dance experience can open doors, success on Dancing with the Stars hinges on adaptability, dedication, and partnership with a skilled professional dancer.
The Return of the Competition
Dancing with the Stars returns to our screens on September 15, promising drama, glamour and plenty of two-stepping. As the competition heats up, viewers will be watching closely to see whether past dance fame translates into future glory—or whether the judges’ warnings about the difficulty of ballroom technique will prove decisive.
Why it Matters
Carrie Ann Inaba’s defence of the 2026 cast highlights a broader conversation about skill transfer and authenticity in entertainment competitions. By pointing out the technical differences between dance genres, she challenges the notion that past success guarantees future victory—a message that resonates beyond the ballroom. In a media landscape often driven by instant credibility, her comments remind audiences and contestants alike that mastery is earned, not inherited.
