SAEDNEWS: ABC’s veteran competition series Dancing with the Stars returns for its 34th season on Tuesday, Sept. 16, unveiling a wide-ranging celebrity roster that mixes athletes, actors, influencers and a wildlife conservationist — a deliberate bid to refresh the ballroom with familiar faces and new fan bases.
According to Saed News, the upcoming season leans into variety as the show marks its 20th anniversary, with contestants that span reality personalities, social media stars, musicians, athletes and Hollywood names. Highlights include Jen Affleck, Hilaria Baldwin, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, former NBA All-Star Baron Davis, social media star Alix Earle, influencer Dylan Efron, actor Corey Feldman, Boy Meets World alum Danielle Fishel, Parent Trap actress Elaine Hendrix, Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying, wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, Fifth Harmony’s Lauren Jauregui, Whitney Leavitt and comedian Andy Richter. Each will be paired with seasoned professional partners as the series aims to balance spectacle with credibility on the dance floor.
Returning hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will steer the season, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli reprise their roles on the judges’ panel. Though ratings for the series have softened from its peak, producers appear to be betting that a blend of legacy viewers and younger audiences — drawn by influencers and athletes — can revive mainstream interest.
Fans have also speculated about possible appearances by former host Tom Bergeron; ABC has not confirmed any cameo. As rehearsals begin, the show’s enduring format — celebrity transformation through choreography and live voting — remains the central draw, even as the cast mix signals a conscious effort to broaden appeal.
