Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Cast: The ballroom is officially open again, and “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35 has brought together one of the show’s most varied celebrity casts yet. Sixteen stars from television, movies, music, sports, reality TV and social media are competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
The new season began with a two-night premiere on September 15 and 16, with the celebrities split across the opening episodes. The first night featured the male contestants, while the female celebrities took over the ballroom on the second night. Each contestant is performing to a No. 1 song connected to their birth year, adding a personal twist to the opening performances.
Full Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Cast
Here is the complete celebrity and professional dancer lineup for Season 35:
| Celebrity | Pro Dance Partner | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Jenna Dewan | Val Chmerkovskiy | Actor and dancer |
| Julia Stiles | Ezra Sosa | Actor and filmmaker |
| Harry Shum Jr. | Jenna Johnson | Actor and dancer |
The remaining couples include Tatyana Ali with Jan Ravnik, Tyler Cameron with Sharna Burgess, Giada De Laurentiis with Alan Bersten, Ezra Frech with Daniella Karagach, Amber Glenn with Pasha Pashkov, Taylor Hanson with Britt Stewart, Maura Higgins with Mark Ballas, Conner Leavitt with Adele Zaikman, Ciara Miller with Brandon Armstrong, Sarah Jane Nader with Hailey Bills, Jackson Olson with Emma Slater, Guillermo Rodriguez with Witney Carson and Connor Wood with Rylee Arnold.
The lineup covers a wide range of familiar faces. Jenna Dewan is returning to her dance roots after becoming widely known for “Step Up,” while Julia Stiles enters the ballroom after a career spanning film and television. Harry Shum Jr. brings his dance experience and acting background from projects including “Glee” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Jenna Dewan, Julia Stiles and Other Big Names
Dewan’s casting has generated particular interest because dancing was already a major part of her early career. She has also continued starring on ABC’s “The Rookie,” and her participation in the competition does not mean she is leaving that series. She has said both productions are working around her schedule.
Stiles is another recognizable name stepping outside her usual screen work. Best known for movies such as “10 Things I Hate About You,” “Save the Last Dance” and the “Bourne” franchise, she now faces the very different challenge of learning ballroom styles under Ezra Sosa.
The cast also includes Giada De Laurentiis, who is trading her kitchen for the dance floor. The celebrity chef is paired with Alan Bersten and has said her daughter, Jade, encouraged her to take on the challenge as she entered a new stage of life.
Olympians, Musicians and Reality Stars Join the Competition
Sports fans have two major contestants to watch. Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech is partnered with Daniella Karagach, while Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn is dancing with Pasha Pashkov. Their athletic backgrounds could make their physical preparation especially interesting as they adapt to ballroom technique and performance.
Music fans will recognize Taylor Hanson, the lead singer of Hanson, who is competing with Britt Stewart. Hanson has already shown a serious commitment to rehearsals, even joking that he would sleep in the dance studio if necessary. Stewart, now entering her seventh season as a professional, has praised his attitude and willingness to learn.
Reality television also has a strong presence this season. Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, Tyler Cameron and Conner Leavitt all bring established fan bases into the ballroom. Leavitt is paired with Adele Zaikman, who earned her professional spot after winning the inaugural season of “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.”
New Faces and Major Returning Pros
Season 35 also marks an important return for Sharna Burgess, who is back in the competition for the first time since Season 30. She is partnered with Tyler Cameron, giving the former “Bachelorette” star an experienced professional by his side.
Adele Zaikman’s promotion is another major development. Her victory on “The Next Pro” earned her a place in the main series, where she now competes alongside Leavitt. The season also includes Hailey Bills, who is paired with Sarah Jane Nader.
Witney Carson is also returning with Guillermo Rodriguez, the longtime “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” personality. Carson is competing while pregnant, a storyline that has already attracted considerable attention ahead of the season. She has said she feels supported by the production and has adjusted her choreography and training with safety in mind.
When and Where to Watch DWTS Season 35
“Dancing With the Stars” Season 35 airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+ following its two-night opening event. New episodes stream the following day on Hulu. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as co-hosts, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough are back at the judges’ table.
With 16 celebrities bringing very different backgrounds into the same ballroom, the season has plenty of stories to follow beyond the weekly scores. Some contestants already have performance experience, while others are learning the fundamentals from scratch. That contrast is part of what makes the Mirrorball race so unpredictable from week to week.
FAQ
Who is in the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 cast?
The 16 celebrities include Jenna Dewan, Julia Stiles, Harry Shum Jr., Tatyana Ali, Tyler Cameron, Giada De Laurentiis, Ezra Frech, Amber Glenn, Taylor Hanson, Maura Higgins, Conner Leavitt, Ciara Miller, Sarah Jane Nader, Jackson Olson, Guillermo Rodriguez and Connor Wood.
Who is Jenna Dewan’s professional partner?
Jenna Dewan is partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy for Season 35.
When does Dancing With the Stars Season 35 air?
The season premiered with a two-night event on September 15 and 16, 2026. After the premiere, new episodes air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available on Hulu the following day.