The full cast of Dancing With the Stars season 35 is finally here—and this season is bringing a seriously unexpected mix of celebrities to the ballroom.
The new lineup includes Step Up star Jenna Dewan, actress Julia Stiles, Olympic figure skating gold medalist Amber Glenn, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum Tatyana Ali, actor Harry Shum Jr., celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, and a whole lot more.
The season will feature 16 celebrity contestants, with stars from movies, television, reality shows, music, sports, social media and more. There is also a new professional dancer pairing, including the show’s third same-sex dance partnership.
Season 35 premieres on September 15 and 16, 2026, with a two-night event at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. New episodes will air Tuesdays, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
So who is competing, who are their professional partners, and which couples are already getting fans excited?
Here’s the full breakdown.
The Full Season 35 Cast and Pro Partners
This season’s biggest strength is its variety.
Some contestants already have dance experience. Others are athletes, actors, reality stars, chefs or internet personalities who are stepping into a completely new kind of competition.
That means the show is not just about who can dance best.
It is also about who can turn their existing talents into something that works on the ballroom floor.
1. Jenna Dewan × Val Chmerkovskiy
Jenna Dewan is one of the most obvious names to watch this season.
She rose to fame in the 2006 dance film Step Up and has a strong dance background, having also worked as a backup dancer for artists including Janet Jackson and NSYNC.
Her professional partner is Val Chmerkovskiy.
The big question is simple: Can a star who already knows how to dance prove herself in a real competition?
2. Julia Stiles × Ezra Sosa
Julia Stiles is another major surprise for movie fans.
She is known for films including 10 Things I Hate About You and The Bourne Identity series, as well as television roles in Dexter and other shows.
Her professional partner is Ezra Sosa.
This pairing could be especially interesting because Stiles is known for acting—not ballroom dancing.
Can she turn her emotional acting skills into dance-floor charisma?
3. Amber Glenn × Pasha Pashkov
Amber Glenn is one of the season’s biggest sports names.
She won Olympic gold in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics and has also won multiple U.S. national titles.
Her professional partner is Pasha Pashkov.
Glenn has already admitted that watching Pasha and Daniella Karagach dance was “slightly terrifying” because they were so impressive. But she has also said she is excited for the experience.
The big question: Can an Olympic athlete’s balance, control and performance experience translate into ballroom dancing?
4. Harry Shum Jr. × Jenna Johnson
Harry Shum Jr. is an actor, dancer and singer best known for roles in Glee and Crazy Rich Asians.
His professional partner is Jenna Johnson.
This is a pairing with plenty of stage experience, which could make them an early standout in the competition.
5. Giada De Laurentiis × Alan Bersten
Giada De Laurentiis is a well-known Italian-American chef and television personality.
Her professional partner is Alan Bersten.
This pairing brings a food-TV star into the ballroom, where she will have to trade kitchen skills for choreography, timing and performance.
6. Tatyana Ali × Jan Ravnik
Tatyana Ali is best known for playing Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Her professional partner is Jan Ravnik.
There is also a fun behind-the-scenes connection: show host Alfonso Ribeiro was her former co-star on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Ali has said she was initially unable to tell Ribeiro she had joined the show because of the production’s confidentiality rules.
That means fans may get more than just dancing—they may also get a long-awaited reunion.
7. Tyler Cameron × Brittany Mahomes
Tyler Cameron is a familiar face from The Bachelor franchise.
His professional partner is Brittany Mahomes.
This pairing represents the reality-TV side of the cast and brings another audience into the competition.
8. Maura Higgins × Mark Ballas
Maura Higgins rose to fame on Love Island and later gained attention on The Traitors.
Her professional partner is Mark Ballas.
The interesting part is that Higgins is already comfortable with reality-TV competition and public attention. But ballroom dancing will require a very different kind of performance.
9. Ciara Miller × Sasha Farber
Ciara Miller is best known for Summer House and has become one of the more recognizable personalities in the Bravo TV world.
Her professional partner is Sasha Farber.
This pairing could be fun to watch because Miller already has a strong on-camera presence. The challenge will be turning that personality into dance-floor confidence.
10. Taylor Hanson × Emma Slater
Taylor Hanson is a member of the band Hanson, best known for songs such as “MMMBop.”
His professional partner is Emma Slater.
This pairing brings a musician into the ballroom and adds another kind of performance background to the cast.
11. Jackson Olson × Emma Slater
Jackson Olson is an infielder, entertainer and social media personality for the Savannah Bananas.
He became known for the team’s entertainment-heavy baseball style, which includes dance routines, comedy and other showmanship.
His professional partner is Emma Slater.
The big question is: Can baseball-field energy turn into ballroom performance?
12. Guillermo Rodriguez × Witney Carson
Guillermo Rodriguez is the beloved comedic personality from Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
His professional partner is Witney Carson.
Rodriguez was originally discovered while working as a security guard in a parking lot and later became a major part of the late-night show, including memorable Oscars red-carpet appearances.
This pairing could be one of the season’s biggest entertainment highlights.
13. Ezra Frech × Daniella Karagach
Ezra Frech is a Paralympic athlete.
His professional partner is Daniella Karagach.
This pairing adds another athlete to the cast and continues the show’s tradition of bringing sports stars into the ballroom.
14. Connor Wood × Rylee Arnold
Connor Wood is a social media personality and comedian known online as “Fibula.”
His professional partner is Rylee Arnold.
Wood has described joining the show as a dream come true, but he has also admitted that rehearsals are intense.
The big question: Can an internet comedian turn humor into ballroom charisma?
15. Sarah Jane Nader × Hailey Bills
Sarah Jane Nader is one of the reality-TV personalities competing this season.
Her professional partner is Hailey Bills.
The pair is also part of the show’s third same-sex dance partnership, adding another important milestone to the season.
16. Tatyana Ali × Jan Ravnik
Tatyana Ali is another actress bringing a strong television legacy to the competition.
Her professional partner is Jan Ravnik.
Her appearance gives fans a chance to see a familiar star in a completely different setting—and adds a little nostalgia to the season.
Why This Season Already Has So Much Buzz
The biggest thing about season 35 is the mix of backgrounds.
There are movie stars, television actors, musicians, chefs, reality personalities, social media creators, baseball players and Olympic athletes. That makes the season feel less like a simple dance contest and more like a cross-industry experiment.
Some of the most talked-about pairings include:
- Jenna Dewan × Val Chmerkovskiy: A dancer with serious experience stepping into a real competition.
- Julia Stiles × Ezra Sosa: A movie star taking on a completely new performance challenge.
- Amber Glenn × Pasha Pashkov: An Olympic gold medalist trying to translate athletic control into ballroom skills.
- Tatyana Ali × Jan Ravnik: A nostalgic television reunion waiting to happen.
- Guillermo Rodriguez × Witney Carson: A comedy personality who could bring some of the season’s biggest laughs.
- Sarah Jane Nader × Hailey Bills: The show’s third same-sex dance partnership.
When Does Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Premiere?
Here’s the schedule currently announced:
Premiere: September 15 and 16, 2026
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ABC and Disney+
Regular episodes: Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET
Streaming: New episodes arrive on Hulu the next day.
The two-night premiere should give viewers a chance to meet the full cast and start comparing the couples before the competition really gets going.
Three Big Questions to Watch This Season
1. Will Jenna Dewan become an early favorite?
Dewan already has a dance background, which gives her a clear advantage.
But DWTS is not just about knowing how to dance. Contestants must learn different styles, work with a partner, perform under pressure and deliver a routine in front of judges and a live audience.
Her experience could help—but the competition will still be demanding.
2. Can Amber Glenn bring Olympic experience to the ballroom?
Figure skating and ballroom dancing both require balance, timing, control and performance.
But they are not the same skill set.
Glenn’s athletic background could help her during training, but she will still need to adapt to new movements, music and choreography.
That makes her one of the most interesting crossover competitors this season.
3. Who will become the surprise breakout star?
One of the best parts of DWTS is watching contestants improve.
Sometimes the biggest celebrity is not the person who becomes the most exciting dancer.
This season has plenty of contestants without traditional dance backgrounds, including chefs, reality stars, social media personalities and athletes.
The biggest story may be watching one of them transform week by week.
The Bottom Line
The season 35 cast of Dancing With the Stars is officially here, and it is a very different kind of lineup.
From Jenna Dewan and Julia Stiles to Amber Glenn, Tatyana Ali, Harry Shum Jr., Giada De Laurentiis, Guillermo Rodriguez and Jackson Olson, the show is bringing together people from completely different worlds.
The most exciting part is not just seeing celebrities dance.
It is seeing what happens when they have to learn something new, work with a partner and perform under pressure.
Some contestants may have a head start because of their dance background. Others may rely on athletic ability, stage presence, humor or sheer determination.
But the real test will come week by week.
Season 35 premieres September 15 and 16—and this ballroom is about to get very interesting.