Quick Highlights: 4 Things You Must Know
- Premiere Date: Season 35 kicks off with a special two-night premiere on September 15 & 16, 2026, streaming live on ABC and Disney+.
- 16 Pairs Competing: A stacked roster of Olympic champions, reality TV stars, and Hollywood faces are set for the ballroom.
- The Major Surprise: Reigning champion pro Witney Carson is officially competing while four months pregnant, paired with late-night favorite Guillermo Rodriguez.
- The Fan Debate: Early backlash has surfaced online regarding the casting of seasoned professional dancers, reigniting the classic “ringer” debate.
Official Dancing With The Stars 2026 Lineup
| Celebrity | Known For | Pro Partner |
| Jenna Dewan | Step Up Star & Actress | Val Chmerkovskiy |
| Guillermo Rodriguez | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Witney Carson |
| Harry Shum Jr. | Glee & Crazy Rich Asians | Jenna Johnson |
| Giada De Laurentiis | Celebrity Chef | Alan Bersten |
| Ezra Frech | Two-Time Paralympic Gold Medalist | Daniella Karagach |
| Amber Glenn | U.S. Champion Figure Skater | Pasha Pashkov |
| Tyler Cameron | The Bachelorette Alum | Sharna Burgess |
| Sarah Jane Nader | Entrepreneur & Author | Britt Stewart |
The Hidden Story Behind Season 35
While mainstream outlets simply list the names, DWTS fan communities on Reddit and X are already debating an uneven playing field. The inclusion of Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr.—both of whom built early careers as elite professional background dancers—has sparked fierce conversations about fairness against non-dancers like Giada De Laurentiis.
However, athletic precision often flips the script. Watch out for dark horses Ezra Frech and figure skating star Amber Glenn, whose balance, discipline, and emotional grit historically resonate far stronger with voting viewers than trained Broadway technique.
