The dancing with the stars 2026 cast has officially been unveiled by ABC during Good Morning America, confirming the complete celebrity lineup and their professional dance partners for Season 35. The announcement comes shortly after news that returning pro Witney Carson would compete alongside longtime Jimmy Kimmel Live! personality Guillermo Rodriguez, with the new season premiering on September 15–16, 2026.

Dancing With the Stars 2026 Cast Announced: Full Season 35 Celebrity Lineup Revealed

Introduction

ABC has officially revealed the dancing with the stars 2026 cast, confirming all 16 celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners for Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars. The cast announcement was made live on Good Morning America on September 2, 2026, ahead of the show's two-night premiere on September 15 and 16.

The reveal follows recent news surrounding fan-favorite professional dancer Witney Carson, whose return to the ballroom had already generated excitement after she was announced as the partner of Guillermo Rodriguez. With the full lineup now confirmed, viewers have a clearer picture of one of the show's most diverse casts in recent years.

What Happened?

ABC officially introduced the complete dancing with the stars 2026 cast during a live broadcast of Good Morning America.

Several celebrities—including Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, Jackson Olson and Guillermo Rodriguez—had been announced earlier in the year. The latest announcement completed the Season 35 lineup by adding actors, athletes, musicians, television personalities and reality stars.

Season 35 will premiere with a special two-night event before moving to its regular weekly schedule on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the following day on Hulu.

Key Details

Confirmed celebrity contestants and professional partners

• Tatyana Ali — Jan Ravnik
• Tyler Cameron — Sharna Burgess
• Giada De Laurentiis — Alan Bersten
• Jenna Dewan — Val Chmerkovskiy
• Ezra Frech — Daniella Karagach
• Amber Glenn — Pasha Pashkov
• Taylor Hanson — Britt Stewart
• Maura Higgins — Mark Ballas
• Conner Leavitt — Adele Zaikman
• Ciara Miller — Brandon Armstrong
• Sarah Jane Nader — Hailey Bills
• Jackson Olson — Emma Slater
• Guillermo Rodriguez — Witney Carson
• Harry Shum Jr. — Jenna Johnson
• Julia Stiles — Ezra Sosa
• Connor Wood — Rylee Arnold

Additional confirmed details include:

• Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough all return.
• Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough continue as co-hosts.
• Season 35 premieres September 15–16, 2026.
• Episodes air on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.

Background

Dancing With the Stars remains one of ABC's longest-running reality competition franchises, pairing celebrities with professional ballroom dancers in a weekly elimination format.

Season 35 follows a highly successful previous season that helped sustain renewed interest in the franchise. During the offseason, ABC also expanded the brand with Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, a competition designed to identify new professional dancers. One of its winners, Adele Zaikman, joins the professional cast this season.

The lead-up to the full cast announcement also focused on Witney Carson's return. ABC previously confirmed she would partner with Guillermo Rodriguez, making them the first officially announced celebrity-pro pairing before the complete cast reveal.

What Officials and Organizations Said

ABC announced the complete Season 35 cast during Good Morning America and simultaneously released an official press statement detailing every celebrity-professional pairing.

The network also confirmed:

• a two-night season premiere,
• the return of the judging panel,
• the return of hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough,
• live broadcasts on ABC and Disney+,
• next-day streaming on Hulu.

Executive producer Conrad Green has also said the larger cast and addition of new professional dancers are intended to build on the franchise's recent momentum and expand the competition's appeal.

Why This Matters

The official dancing with the stars 2026 cast announcement provides fans with the first complete look at Season 35's competition.

The lineup blends established actors such as Julia Stiles and Harry Shum Jr., athletes including Paralympian Ezra Frech and Olympian Amber Glenn, reality television personalities, musicians and television hosts. That variety reflects ABC's continued strategy of attracting viewers across multiple audiences.

The season also introduces fresh professional talent while bringing back fan favorites like Witney Carson, Mark Ballas and Sharna Burgess, creating both continuity and new storylines heading into the competition.

What Happens Next?

The confirmed next step is the Season 35 premiere.

ABC has announced that:

• Night 1 airs September 15, 2026.
• Night 2 airs September 16, 2026.
• Weekly eliminations will begin as celebrities compete for the Mirrorball Trophy.
• Episodes will continue on ABC and Disney+, with Hulu carrying next-day streams.

No additional celebrity contestants have been announced beyond the officially confirmed lineup.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is in the Dancing With the Stars 2026 cast?

The confirmed Season 35 cast includes Julia Stiles, Jenna Dewan, Harry Shum Jr., Giada De Laurentiis, Guillermo Rodriguez, Amber Glenn, Ezra Frech, Tatyana Ali, Tyler Cameron, Taylor Hanson, Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, Jackson Olson, Sarah Jane Nader, Conner Leavitt and Connor Wood.

2. Is Witney Carson returning to Dancing With the Stars?

Yes. Witney Carson returns as a professional dancer and is partnered with Guillermo Rodriguez for Season 35.

3. When does Dancing With the Stars Season 35 premiere?

Season 35 premieres with a two-night event on September 15 and September 16, 2026.

4. Where can viewers watch Dancing With the Stars 2026?

Episodes air on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.

5. Who are the judges for Season 35?

Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli return as judges.

6. Who are the hosts of Dancing With the Stars Season 35?

Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as co-hosts.

7. How many celebrities are competing this season?

Season 35 features 16 celebrity contestants competing for the Mirrorball Trophy.

Sources

This article is based on verified information from:

• ABC News / Good Morning America Season 35 cast announcement.
• Official ABC/Disney press release announcing the complete Season 35 cast and professional pairings.
• Associated Press coverage of the Season 35 cast announcement.