The celebrity cast for the 35th season of "Dancing With the Stars" was announced Wednesday, September 2, 2026, on "Good Morning America." The new lineup features 16 contestants, including professional athletes, actors, reality television personalities, and a chef, all competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The show is scheduled to debut with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
The cast includes several individuals with prior dance experience. Actress Julia Stiles, known for the 2001 film "Save the Last Dance," is paired with professional Ezra Sosa. Jenna Dewan, a former backup dancer who starred in the 2006 film "Step Up," will dance with Val Chmerkovskiy. Harry Shum Jr., an actor and choreographer recognized for his role on "Glee," is partnered with Jenna Johnson.
Athletes joining the competition include Amber Glenn, a three-time U.S. national figure skating champion and 2026 Olympic gold medalist, paired with Pasha Pashkov. Ezra Frech, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in track and field, is partnered with Daniella Karagach. Other contestants include musician Taylor Hanson, actress Tatyana Ali, chef Giada De Laurentiis, and "Bachelorette" alumnus Tyler Cameron, who is paired with Sharna Burgess as she returns from a five-year hiatus.
The inclusion of athletes like Amber Glenn and Ezra Frech follows the 2026 Winter Olympic Games and 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. The cast also features social media personality Connor Wood, who has a digital audience of 1.3 million followers.
Episodes will stream on Hulu the day after their live broadcast. This season marks the return of professional dancer Jan Ravnik for his second season. Sarah Jane Nader, the younger sister of former contestant Brooks Nader, is paired with Hailey Bills, marking the show’s second same-sex pairing. Additional contestants include Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, Jackson Olson, Guillermo Rodriguez, and Conner Leavitt. Following the two-night premiere, the competition will proceed through weekly eliminations determined by a combination of judge scores and viewer votes.