“Dancing With the Stars” season 35: Here's everything we know so far
“Dancing With the Stars” season 35: Here's everything we know so far
Randall ColburnMon, April 27, 2026 at 6:24 PM UTC
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'DWTS' cohosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne HoughCredit: Disney/Eric McCandlessKey Points -
ABC has dropped a number of new details about the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars.
While no official date has been set, we have a better idea of when Season 35 will premiere.
Two buzzy (and glamorous) reality stars have been announced as competitors.
Don't stop the music — Dancing With the Stars will be back in no time.
ABC dropped some exciting new details about the DWTS franchise earlier this month, announcing season 35's first competitors along with a new spinoff, Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.
The Next Pro follows 12 twinkle-toed hopefuls as they live in a house and compete to become one of the new dancers on season 35 of DWTS. Season 34 winner Robert Irwin will host the spinoff, which premieres on July 13. Longtime pro Mark Ballas will serve as a judge alongside his mother, Shirley Ballas, whom you may also know as the "Queen of Latin."
But you're here for news about season 35 of Dancing With the Stars. Who's competing this season? And when does it premiere? Here's everything we know so far.
Will there be a season 35 of Dancing With the Stars?
There certainly will. ABC announced season 35 on April 22, 2026, during Hulu's Get Real event. The announcement saw cohosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough touting the show's successful season 34.
"We celebrated its 20th anniversary while undeniably reclaiming its status in the culture," Ribeiro said, with Hough pointing out that the season 34 finalists — Robert Irwin and Alix Earle — received the most votes in the show's history.
Robert Irwin, winner of 'DWTS' in season 34, will host new spinoff 'The Next Pro'Credit: ABC
They're not just blowing smoke. Variety reported in November that the season 34 premiere was the show's biggest in five years, with a 49% increase in ratings.
Who's competing on Dancing With the Stars season 35?
So far, only two celebrities have been announced for season 35: Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller.
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Maura Higgins in April; Ciara Miller in MarchCredit: TheStewartofNY/FilmMagic; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Higgins is an English reality star and TV host, having rocketed to fame as a Love Island finalist before appearing on British reality series such as Dancing on Ice and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! She made a splash stateside, however, on season 4 of The Traitors. Her name was recently bandied about for The Bachelorette, but Higgins herself has shot down those rumors.
Miller also appeared on The Traitors, but she's best known as a denizen of Bravo's Summer House. Her name has been ubiquitous as of late due to the well-publicized drama regarding her good pal Amanda Batula's secret dalliance with Miller's ex, West Wilson.
The scandal isn't all that unlike the Scandoval that rocked Vanderpump Rules in 2023. Ariana Madix, who was at the center of that dustup, went on to take third place in season 32 of DWTS.
More contestants will be announced soon.
Who's hosting Dancing With the Stars season 35?
Ribeiro and Hough will return as cohosts for season 35. The pair have been overseeing the competition since season 32 in 2023.
Is there a Dancing With the Stars season 35 release date?
As of this writing, there's no official release date for season 35 of Dancing With the Stars, but it's expected to premiere in the fall of 2026.
The last seven seasons have all debuted in mid-September, so it's likely that's when the dance floor will light up again.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
