After Robert Irwin’s much deserved win last season, fans have been waiting to figure out who the next contestants for the upcoming season are, and they’ve recently been released! From gold medalists to comedians, the official Dancing with the Stars Season 35 cast knows exactly what the fans want to see.Â
Amber Glenn:Â
As someone accustomed to rankings and awards, it’s no surprise that Amber Glenn is participating in this year’s Dancing with the Stars. You may know her best from her iconic performance to “Like a Prayer” by Madonna at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. She is also a three time U.S. national champion, making her one of the most iconic figure skaters to date. She is paired with Pasha Pashkov.
Ciara Miller:Â
Known best from her appearance on Bravo’s “Summer House,” Ciara Miller’s life has become much different from her life as an ICU nurse. Now, she’s appearing on iconic shows like “The Traitors” and “Dancing with the Stars.” She uses her profile and influence to promote women’s health, equality, wellness, fashion, and beauty. She is paired with Brandon Armstrong.
Conner Leavitt:
Does the name sound familiar? That’s because his wife, Whitney Leavitt, appeared on Dancing with the Stars season 34, just last year! While this has spun some controversy, it appears that Leavitt is taking it on the chin and will prove why he should be there. Leavitt’s most known TV appearance was in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and he recently completed a run in the Broadway show “11 to Midnight.” He is paired with Adele Zaikman.
Connor Wood:
Wood is a well known comedian, famous for his work on the platform Fibula where he posts his comedy clips and rants. He recently headlined a show at the “Netflix Is A Joke” festival. He also co-hosts a podcast named “Brooke and Connor Made a Podcast” with his friend… wait for it, Brooke Averick! He is paired with Rylee Arnold.
Ezra Frech:Â
Just like Amber Glenn, Frech is an Olympic gold medalist, winning twice in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. He broke the high jump world record at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris and won his first world title. During his time off, he teaches above-knee amputees like himself how to run for the first time. He is also an executive producer and star of the Peacock documentary “Adaptive.” He is paired with Daniella Karagach.
Giada De Laurentiis:
Emmy nominated Giada De Laurentiis knows a lot about competing. She is a chef, television producer, and best-selling author. She’s best known for her hosting on the Food Network show “Everything Italian” and has starred in numerous food shows since then. She is paired with Alan Bersten.
Guillermo Rodriguez:Â
He’s best known for his role on the Jimmy Fallon show for over 23 years, having been sought out in a parking lot working as a security guard. But Guillermo is off to better, and spicier, things. He recently released his own brand of salsa named “Guillermo’s Salsa.” You may also know him from his iconic segments during the Grammys as well. He is paired with season 34 Dancing with the Stars winner, Witney Carson.
Harry Shum Jr.:Â
If you’re a Gleek, I’m sure you don’t even need this description, but for those who don’t know, Shum Jr. is a world renowned actor, starring in “Glee,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” and the recent Netflix hit, “Voicemails for Isabelle.” He also co-authored a children’s book with his wife Shelby Rabara called “Martee Dares to Dance,” which is about a young filipino child who loves to dance to his own beat. He is paired with Jenna Johnson.
Jackson Olson:Â
Heard of the Savannah Bananas? Then you’ve definitely seen Jackson Olson on your Tiktok FYP along with his other teammates, dancing and having a blast on a baseball field for the team. He’s a second baseman for the Bananas and was even offered to play major league baseball for the Diamondbacks. He is paired with Emma Slater.
Jenna Dewan:Â
Dewan is an actress, starring in many shows and movies like “The Rookie,” Disney channel’s Step Up, and “10 years,” which also features Channing Tatum and Oscar Isaac. But she started her career as a dancer, backing up Janet Jackson and worked with icons like Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliot. She is paired with Val Chmerkovskiy.Â
Julia Stiles:Â
As a rom com enthusiast, this was one of the most exciting announcements to me. Best known for her role as Kat Stratford in “10 Things I Hate About You,” Stiles is a known actress and director. There has been a running joke about her being from Juilliard, since she was in the movie “Save the Last Dance,” where her character went to Juilliard. She is paired with Ezra Sosa.
Maura Higgins:Â
Irish icon Maura Higgins is a globally recognized influential TV reality star, best known for her part in Love Island season 5 and her most recent runner up finish on “The Traitors.” She was the first person from the U.K. to go into the Love Island USA series, hosting both Love Island USA: Aftersun” and “Love Island Games: Aftersun.” She is paired with Mark Ballas.
Sarah Jane Nader:Â
Nader is an actress and model who’s currently starring in the Hulu series “Love Thy Nader,” which is about her family’s upbringing from Louisiana to New York. She’s a Fordham University alum and has been in many big named campaigns like MAC Cosmetics.
Tatyana Ali:Â
The name might not sound familiar to some, but Tatyana Ali’s career is so stacked, I’d be shocked if my grandma didn’t know what she was in. She’s a Harvard alum, Broadway actress, singer, writer, entrepreneur, Grammy winner and activist. Her most known shows are “Sesame Street,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and “Abbott Elementary.” She is paired with Jan Ravnik.Â
Taylor Hanson:Â
Hansen is a singer, songwriter, producer, and philanthropist. He is a part of the group HANSON with his brothers Isaac and Zac. The group has 3 Grammy nominations. He is also a part of the group Tinted Windows. He is paired with Britt Stewart.
You can watch the first episodes of Dancing with the Stars season 35 on Disney+!