Dancing with the Stars celebrates two decades of ballroom excellence in its thirty-fourth season
In short: Marking its twentieth anniversary, the thirty-fourth season of Dancing with the Stars brought together a mix of new talent and legendary figures. From high-stakes themed nights to guest appearances by former hosts and champions, the competition pushed celebrity participants to their limits, culminating in a dramatic finale on December 2, 2025.
The thirty-fourth season of the long-running competition series premiered on September 16, 2025, airing simultaneously on ABC and Disney+. This installment was notable for being the first of ABC's unscripted programs to secure an official renewal for the 2025–26 schedule. Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, the season featured a diverse cast of celebrities, including wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, who was the first participant announced, and social media personality Alix Earle. The professional dance lineup saw the return of veterans like Mark Ballas and Jenna Johnson, while Jan Ravnik joined as a new professional dancer.
Throughout the season, the show leaned into elaborate themes, including a celebration of Disneyland's seventieth anniversary and a dedicated night for the musical Wicked. The production also invited back iconic figures from the show's history to serve as guest judges, such as former host Tom Bergeron, who appeared during the twentieth-birthday celebration episode. These themed nights often featured complex choreography, such as the dance marathon in week seven and team dances in week eight, which incorporated live performances from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees like Kool & the Gang.
The competition reached its climax with the semi-finals and finale, where couples faced rigorous challenges, including performing two dances to the music of Prince. Despite injuries, such as the one sustained by actress Elaine Hendrix during dress rehearsals, the contestants maintained a high level of performance. Ultimately, Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson were crowned champions, followed by Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy. The season concluded with a holiday television special, cementing its place as a significant milestone in the series' twenty-year history.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Dancing with the Stars (American TV series) season 34
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