Season thirty-five of Dancing with the Stars matches the largest cast in series history
In short: With sixteen competing couples, the thirty-fifth season of Dancing with the Stars ties for the largest roster since the show began. The installment features historic milestones, including the first pregnant professional dancer to compete in her second trimester and the series' third same-sex partnership, marking a significant evolution for the program.
Premiering on September 15, 2026, across ABC and Disney+, season thirty-five of Dancing with the Stars represents a notable moment in the show's long-running history. Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, the season features a diverse cast of sixteen celebrity participants, including Olympic champion Amber Glenn and Paralympic champion Ezra Frech. The production team maintains continuity with judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli returning to evaluate the performances.
The season is marked by several professional milestones. Witney Carson, paired with Guillermo Rodriguez, became the first professional dancer to compete while four months pregnant, marking the first time a pro has participated that far into her second trimester. Additionally, the season introduced Adele Zaikman as the first Israeli professional dancer on the series, while Hailey Bills was promoted to a professional role. Her pairing with Sarah Jane Nader constitutes the third same-sex partnership in the show's history, following previous pairings in seasons thirty and thirty-one.
Production logistics have also evolved to meet modern viewer habits. The season is the fourth to be broadcast live on both ABC and Disney+ simultaneously. Technical challenges during the premiere necessitated a shift in voting methods, as online systems failed, leaving text messaging as the sole valid channel for viewer participation. The season also integrates corporate sponsorships into its choreography, with routines inspired by brands like Paris Baguette and Google Gemini, reflecting the show's ongoing adaptation to contemporary media and commercial landscapes.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Dancing with the Stars (American TV series) season 35
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