Dancing with the Stars Season 35 is the 35th season of ABC’s long-running celebrity ballroom competition series. The 2026 season brings together 16 celebrities from acting, music, sports, reality television, comedy, food and social media, all competing with professional dancers for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Season 35 began with a slightly unusual format. Instead of having the entire cast compete on the same opening night, ABC split the premiere across two nights. The male celebrities performed on September 15, while the female celebrities made their debuts on September 16. One couple was eliminated on each night.
The season is hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli return to the judges’ table.
Among the biggest names in the cast are Jenna Dewan, Julia Stiles, Harry Shum Jr., Tatyana Ali, Giada De Laurentiis, Taylor Hanson, Tyler Cameron, Maura Higgins and Amber Glenn.
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Show | Dancing with the Stars |
| Season | 35 |
| Year | 2026 |
| Network | ABC |
| Streaming | Disney+ |
| Next-day streaming | Hulu |
| Premiere | September 15, 2026 |
| Premiere format | Two-night event |
| Regular night | Tuesday |
| Regular time | 8 p.m. ET |
| Hosts | Alfonso Ribeiro, Julianne Hough |
| Judges | Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli |
| Celebrities | 16 |
| Prize | Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy |
| Production company | BBC Studios |
| Genre | Reality, dance competition, game show |
| Rating | TV-PG |
ABC’s official listing confirms the Season 35 cast, hosts and judges, while Disney+ describes the series as a dance and reality competition in which celebrities are paired with trained ballroom dancers.
What Is Dancing with the Stars Season 35 About?
The basic idea remains the same: celebrities with very different backgrounds enter the ballroom and are paired with professional dancers.
They then spend the season learning ballroom and Latin dances, preparing new routines each week and performing them live in front of the judges and viewers.
The judges award scores for each performance, while audience votes also play an important role in determining who stays in the competition.
The goal is to make it all the way to the finale and win the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
What makes Season 35 particularly interesting is the variety of people involved. There are established Hollywood actors, an Olympian, a Paralympian, a celebrity chef, reality-TV personalities, a musician, a late-night television personality and social-media creators.
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Release Date
Season 35 premiered on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, with a second premiere episode on Wednesday, September 16.
Both episodes aired at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
After the special two-night premiere, the show moved to its regular Tuesday-night schedule. Episodes are also available on demand through Disney+ and the following day on Hulu.
The season is scheduled to continue through November 24, 2026, with one special Monday broadcast on November 2 instead of the usual Tuesday slot.
Why Did Season 35 Have a Two-Night Premiere?
ABC divided the opening cast into two groups.
Night One — September 15
The eight male celebrities performed.
Each danced to a No. 1 song from the year they were born.
At the end of the night, one male celebrity was eliminated.
Night Two — September 16
The eight female celebrities performed.
They also danced to No. 1 songs from their birth years.
One female celebrity was eliminated at the end of the episode.
This meant the season began with two eliminations before the cast had even reached its first regular Tuesday episode. ABC described it as a special two-night premiere event.
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Full Cast
The Season 35 cast contains 16 celebrities.
Here is the complete lineup announced by ABC.
| Celebrity | Known For | Professional Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Tatyana Ali | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Jan Ravnik |
| Tyler Cameron | TV personality / reality TV | Sharna Burgess |
| Giada De Laurentiis | Celebrity chef and TV host | Alan Bersten |
| Jenna Dewan | Step Up, The Rookie | Val Chmerkovskiy |
| Ezra Frech | Paralympic athlete | Daniella Karagach |
| Amber Glenn | Olympic figure skating | Pasha Pashkov |
| Taylor Hanson | Hanson musician | Britt Stewart |
| Maura Higgins | Reality television | Mark Ballas |
| Conner Leavitt | The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives | Adele Zaikman |
| Ciara Miller | Summer House, The Traitors | Brandon Armstrong |
| Sarah Jane Nader | Love Thy Nader | Hailey Bills |
| Jackson Olson | Savannah Bananas | Emma Slater |
| Guillermo Rodriguez | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Witney Carson |
| Harry Shum Jr. | Glee, Grey’s Anatomy | Jenna Johnson |
| Julia Stiles | 10 Things I Hate About You, Bourne | Ezra Sosa |
| Connor Wood | Comedian / podcaster | Rylee Arnold |
ABC’s official cast announcement confirms all 16 celebrity-professional pairings.
Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik
Tatyana Ali entered Season 35 with a career that stretches back to her childhood acting days.
She is particularly recognized for playing Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Her professional partner is Jan Ravnik.
Their premiere routine was a jive to “Knock on Wood” by Amii Stewart.
Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess
Reality-TV personality Tyler Cameron is paired with returning professional Sharna Burgess.
Burgess is making her competitive return after last appearing as a competitor in Season 30 in 2021.
Their premiere dance was a tango to “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz.
Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten
Celebrity chef and television personality Giada De Laurentiis is partnered with Alan Bersten.
She brings a very different background to the ballroom, having spent most of her public career in food television rather than entertainment through acting or music.
Her premiere routine was a tango to “Venus” by Shocking Blue.
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy
Jenna Dewan is one of the dancers-turned-actresses in the Season 35 cast.
Known for Step Up and The Rookie, Dewan is paired with Val Chmerkovskiy.
Her premiere routine was a tango to “Call Me” by Blondie.
Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach
Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech joins the Season 35 cast with professional partner Daniella Karagach.
His participation gives the season an important athletic dimension, particularly because Frech competes as a Paralympic athlete.
His first dance was a tango to “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson.
Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov
Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn is partnered with Pasha Pashkov.
Glenn’s skating background means she already has years of experience with performance, choreography and competing in front of large audiences.
She performed a cha-cha to “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas during the premiere.
Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart
Musician Taylor Hanson, best known as a member of the band Hanson, joins the ballroom with professional dancer Britt Stewart.
Their first performance was a quickstep to “Tell Her About It” by Billy Joel.
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas
Reality-TV personality Maura Higgins is partnered with returning professional Mark Ballas.
Their pairing attracted attention because Higgins and Ballas had previously appeared together on The Traitors.
For the premiere, they performed a foxtrot to “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles.
Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman
Conner Leavitt, known from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was partnered with Adele Zaikman.
Zaikman entered the main series after winning the inaugural season of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.
They performed a salsa to “Whoomp! (There It Is)” by Tag Team.
They were the first couple eliminated in Season 35.
Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong
Ciara Miller, known for Summer House and The Traitors, is paired with Brandon Armstrong.
Her background includes television, modeling and red-carpet hosting.
The pair performed a foxtrot to “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” by Whitney Houston during the second premiere night.
Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills
Sarah Jane Nader, from Love Thy Nader, was partnered with Hailey Bills.
Their pairing was notable because it was one of the show’s same-sex celebrity-professional partnerships.
They performed a jive to “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne.
Nader and Bills became the second couple eliminated during the two-night premiere.
Jackson Olson and Emma Slater
Jackson Olson, associated with the Savannah Bananas, is paired with Emma Slater.
The Savannah Bananas connection brings a sports-entertainment personality into the ballroom.
Their first performance was a cha-cha to “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls.
Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson
Guillermo Rodriguez, known to television audiences from Jimmy Kimmel Live!, is competing with Witney Carson.
Their first dance was a cha-cha to “Mr. Big Stuff” by Jean Knight.
Rodriguez received a 10 from the judges on the opening night, while still advancing after the audience vote.
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson
Actor and dancer Harry Shum Jr. is partnered with Jenna Johnson.
Shum is known for Glee, Crazy Rich Asians and Grey’s Anatomy, among other projects.
His premiere routine was a cha-cha to “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire.
The pair scored 21 out of 30 during the men’s opening night, tying the highest judges’ score of that episode.
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa
One of the most recognizable names in the Season 35 cast is actress Julia Stiles.
Her career includes 10 Things I Hate About You, Save the Last Dance, the Bourne franchise and Dexter.
She is partnered with professional dancer Ezra Sosa.
Their first performance was a quickstep to “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton.
Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold
Comedian and podcaster Connor Wood, known online as Fibula, is paired with Rylee Arnold.
Wood has built a large social-media audience through comedy and short-form videos.
Their premiere dance was a cha-cha to “I Like It, I Love It” by Tim McGraw.
Season 35 Hosts
Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Ribeiro continues as one of the show’s hosts.
Ribeiro joined the hosting team in Season 31 after previously winning Season 19 as a celebrity contestant with professional dancer Witney Carson.
Julianne Hough
Julianne Hough returns as co-host.
Hough is a former professional dancer who won the Mirrorball Trophy twice before returning to the show as a host.
The two continue their hosting partnership in Season 35.
Season 35 Judges
The judging panel remains:
Carrie Ann Inaba
Inaba has been part of the judging panel since the first season.
Derek Hough
Hough became a judge after an extensive career as a professional dancer and multiple Mirrorball victories.
Bruno Tonioli
Tonioli is another original judge who has remained closely associated with the series since its beginning.
ABC and Disney+ both confirm the three judges for Season 35.
New Professional Dancer in Season 35
One of the biggest changes among the professionals is Adele Zaikman.
She won the inaugural season of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, earning a place among the professional dancers for Season 35.
She was paired with Conner Leavitt.
Although their competition ended during the first night, Zaikman’s promotion to the main show remains an important part of the season’s professional-dancer lineup.
Sharna Burgess Returns
Another notable development is the return of Sharna Burgess.
Burgess is competing again after last appearing as a celebrity-season professional in Season 30.
She is partnered with Tyler Cameron in Season 35.
Season 35 Premiere Results
The opening week was different from the show’s usual structure.
Night One
The male celebrities competed.
Eliminated:
- Conner Leavitt
- Adele Zaikman
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson recorded 21/30, while Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach followed with 20/30.
Night Two
The female celebrities competed.
Eliminated:
- Sarah Jane Nader
- Hailey Bills
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas topped the night with 21/30. Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy scored 19, while Amber Glenn/Pasha Pashkov and Julia Stiles/Ezra Sosa each scored 18.
After the two-night premiere, 14 couples remained.
Week 2: Viral Hits Night
The first regular episode of Season 35 was titled “Viral Hits Night.”
The 14 remaining couples returned to the ballroom and performed dances inspired by songs and moments that became popular online.
The lineup included:
| Couple | Dance | Song |
|---|---|---|
| Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy | Jive | “Animal” |
| Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong | Tango | “No Broke Boys” |
| Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess | Salsa | “Girls” |
| Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa | Tango | “The Door” |
| Jackson Olson & Emma Slater | Foxtrot | “That’s So True” |
| Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten | Salsa | “Bella Ciao” |
| Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold | Tango | “12 to 12” |
| Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach | Cha-cha | “Low” |
| Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik | Foxtrot | “What Was I Made For?” |
| Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov | Tango | “All the Things She Said” |
| Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson | Paso Doble | “Where Have You Been” |
| Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart | Cha-cha | “Cake by the Ocean” |
| Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson | Viennese Waltz | “Iris” |
| Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas | Cha-cha | “September” |
ABC’s official season announcement and subsequent episode information confirm the Week 2 dance lineup.
Season 35 Episode Guide
Episode 1 — Premiere: Night One
September 15, 2026
The male celebrities performed dances based on No. 1 songs from their birth years.
Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were eliminated.
Episode 2 — Premiere: Night Two
September 16, 2026
The female celebrities made their competition debut.
Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills were eliminated.
Episode 3 — Viral Hits Night
September 22, 2026
The 14 remaining couples returned for their second performances.
The theme focused on viral songs and internet moments.
Episode 4 — Yacht Rock Night
September 29, 2026
The next announced theme is Yacht Rock Night.
Later Season Themes
The season’s announced themes also include:
- Yacht Rock Night
- Mariah Carey Night
- Dedication Night
- Horror Movie Night
- Disney Night
- Grammy Night
Week 5’s theme had not yet been publicly announced in the latest schedule information.
How Does Dancing with the Stars Voting Work?
Season 35 continues to use a combination of judges’ scores and viewer votes.
Eligible viewers can vote online or by SMS during the live voting window.
ABC states that online voting is available to people 18 or older who are physically located in the United States, its territories or Canada. SMS voting is available to eligible viewers in the United States and its territories, but not Canada.
The voting window opens during the live broadcast and closes shortly after the final competitive dance.
This is important because delayed viewers cannot simply vote later after watching an on-demand episode.
Where to Watch Dancing with the Stars Season 35
In the United States, Season 35 airs live on:
ABC
and
Disney+
Episodes are also available afterward on demand, with Hulu offering episodes the following day.
What Time Is Dancing with the Stars Season 35 On?
The regular Season 35 schedule is:
Tuesday — 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT
The premiere was the exception because it was split between Tuesday and Wednesday.
ABC and Disney+ simulcast the live broadcast.
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Schedule
| Episode/Event | Date | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Sept. 15 | Premiere: Night One |
| Episode 2 | Sept. 16 | Premiere: Night Two |
| Episode 3 | Sept. 22 | Viral Hits Night |
| Episode 4 | Sept. 29 | Yacht Rock Night |
| Episode 5 | Oct. 6 | Theme announced later |
| Episode 6 | Oct. 13 | Dedication-related season theme later |
| Episode 7 | Oct. 20 | Horror Movie Night |
| Episode 8 | Oct. 27 | Disney Night |
| Episode 9 | Nov. 3 | Schedule adjustment |
| Special schedule | Nov. 2 | Monday broadcast |
| Later episode | Nov. 10 | Tuesday |
| Season finale period | Nov. 24 | Final scheduled Tuesday |
ABC notes that the November schedule includes a Monday, November 2 broadcast instead of Tuesday, November 3, before the regular Tuesday schedule resumes November 10.
Who Won Dancing with the Stars Season 34?
Before Season 35 began, the previous champion was Robert Irwin, who won Season 34 with professional partner Witney Carson in November 2025.
They finished ahead of Alix Earle/Val Chmerkovskiy, Jordan Chiles/Ezra Sosa, Dylan Efron/Daniella Karagach and Elaine Hendrix/Alan Bersten.
That means the Season 35 celebrities are now competing to become the next name engraved alongside the show’s previous Mirrorball champions.
What Makes Season 35 Different?
Season 35 has several elements that make it stand out from recent seasons.
First, the cast is unusually broad. There are actors, athletes, musicians, chefs, reality personalities and online creators.
Second, the show started with two separate elimination nights, which immediately changed the usual rhythm of the competition.
Third, the season introduces Adele Zaikman as a new professional following The Next Pro.
And finally, the return of Sharna Burgess adds another familiar professional face to the ballroom.
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Final
The ultimate goal for every remaining celebrity is the same: reach the finale and compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
As the season progresses, the number of couples will shrink through eliminations based on the combination of judges’ scores and audience voting.
The final result will be determined by the performances and voting that occur during the closing stages of the season.
At the moment, no Season 35 champion has been crowned.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did Dancing with the Stars Season 35 premiere?
Season 35 premiered on September 15, 2026, with a second premiere episode on September 16.
How many celebrities are in Dancing with the Stars Season 35?
There are 16 celebrity contestants in the original Season 35 lineup.
Who hosts Dancing with the Stars Season 35?
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are the Season 35 co-hosts.
Who are the Season 35 judges?
The judges are Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.
Who are the professional dancers in Season 35?
The professional partners include Jan Ravnik, Sharna Burgess, Alan Bersten, Val Chmerkovskiy, Daniella Karagach, Pasha Pashkov, Britt Stewart, Mark Ballas, Adele Zaikman, Brandon Armstrong, Hailey Bills, Emma Slater, Witney Carson, Jenna Johnson, Ezra Sosa and Rylee Arnold.
Who was eliminated first on DWTS Season 35?
Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were eliminated during the first premiere night.
Who was eliminated second?
Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills were eliminated during the second premiere night.
How many couples remained after the premiere?
There were 14 couples remaining after the two-night premiere.
Who is Julia Stiles’ partner on DWTS?
Julia Stiles is partnered with Ezra Sosa.
Who is Jenna Dewan’s partner?
Jenna Dewan is partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy.
Who is Harry Shum Jr.’s partner?
Harry Shum Jr. is partnered with Jenna Johnson.
Who is Maura Higgins’ partner?
Maura Higgins is partnered with Mark Ballas.
Who is Tyler Cameron’s partner?
Tyler Cameron is partnered with Sharna Burgess.
Where can I watch Season 35?
You can watch the live broadcast on ABC and Disney+, with episodes also available through Hulu afterward.
What day does DWTS Season 35 air?
After the two-night premiere, new episodes air primarily on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
Will there be a Dancing with the Stars Season 36?
Season 36 has not been the subject of a confirmed announcement in the current Season 35 information. Any renewal should be treated as unconfirmed until ABC officially announces it.
Final Thoughts
Season 35 gives Dancing with the Stars another large and varied celebrity lineup while keeping the basic format that has made the show a television fixture for years.
The cast ranges from Julia Stiles and Jenna Dewan to Harry Shum Jr., Tatyana Ali, Taylor Hanson, Giada De Laurentiis, Amber Glenn and Ezra Frech. Reality television and social media are represented as well, giving the ballroom a mixture of familiar faces from very different parts of entertainment.
The two-night premiere immediately changed the usual format, with Conner Leavitt/Adele Zaikman and Sarah Jane Nader/Hailey Bills becoming the first two eliminated couples.
The regular competition then moved into Viral Hits Night, followed by Yacht Rock Night and a series of themed episodes later in the season.
With Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough hosting and Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli returning as judges, the familiar DWTS structure remains intact — but the new cast and weekly themes give Season 35 its own identity.
The season continues live on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available on Hulu afterward.