I have been watching Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) since before I understood what the show was. It was always on in the Norton household. My earliest memories of DWTS were my mom obsessing over Mark Ballas and Val Chmerkovskiy (not much has changed), and my dad muting the rehearsal montages because they would occasionally swear (even though I was so young that I didn’t know what the words meant).Â
The first dance I remember watching was singer/actor Ryker Lynch and pro-dancer Allison Holker’s Season 20 Disney Night — a Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired performance. I remember staring at the huge pirate ship set in amazement because this was created just for their dance. I thought it was incredible. My little brain could hardly comprehend it. After that, I watched every episode with my mom.Â
During Season 27, I started to notice the emotional ties I developed with the cast. I had followed along with actor Milo Manheim and pro-dancer Whitney Carson since the first episode. I still rewatch their zombie-inspired Halloween dance and their freestyle to a remix of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” cleverly using umbrella props and water to reflect the raindrop noises in the remix. Those are two of the few dances that left me speechless, which is saying something.Â
But the winners of the season — radio personality Bobby Bones and pro Sharna Burgess — left me heartbroken. I probably cried. I didn’t even realize I had such a connection to Milo and Whitney until Sharna and Bobby, who I thought was a terrible dancer, won. The name “Bobby” still haunts me. I’ve since become even more invested in scores, which celebrities are chosen, who is paired with whom, and who gets eliminated.Â
My theory is that contestants’ social media presence has become an intentional part of the show’s strategy — to increase fans’ emotional connection and make the results hit harder. If it is, it’s worked (on me, at least). Ever since that season, I’ve seen DWTS’ popularity grow into what it is today. It makes me thrilled for Season 35, as I’m meeting more people who love the show and seeing an increasing amount of social media presence, from both the cast and fans.
So, from someone who has been a fan since 2015, here’s all the DWTS families you need to know to officially call yourself a true DWTS fan.
According to People Magazine, Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy first met on DWTS in 2014, started dating soon after, and have been married for seven years. They also have a three-year-old son named Rome, who is infamous for running around backstage and taking photos with the cast. Hailey Bills, one of the newest pros this season, is their niece. She has gained a large social media presence this year after being on the troupe last year in Season 34.Â
People also reported that Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov met in 2009 and got married five years later. They welcomed their daughter, Nikita, in 2023, who is also seen in many photos backstage with the DWTS cast and crew.Â
DWTS has also become a space where exes interact. This season, former pro-dancer Sasha Farber is on set as a troupe member and host of behind-the-scenes TikTok lives. He is still on good terms with his ex, Emma Slater, a pro who recently moved in with other pro, Alan Bersten, after the pair connected during last season. ABC News reported that Slater and Farber were married in 2018, but divorced in 2022, a split due to Slater’s not wanting to delay Farber’s desire to start a family.Â
Rylee Arnold comes from a dancing family. According to People, she grew up dancing from a young age, as her three older sisters were competitive dancers. The oldest sister, Lindsay, was a pro on DWTS spanning Seasons 16 to 30. Their other two sisters, Jensen and Brynley, were competitive dancers, but were never on the show. Rylee competed on DWTS Junior and later joined DWTS on Season 32 with Australian personality Harry Jowsey. Now, she is partnered with comedian Connor Wood and is quickly becoming one of my favorite partnerships for this season.
This season, Jenna Johnson was paired with professional dancer and actor Harry Shum Jr., known for roles in Glee and Grey’s Anatomy, as well as being a backup dancer for BeyoncĂ© during her 2004 “Ladies First” tour.
Pro Britt Stewart has been on DWTS since Season 29, where she became the first Black female pro in DWTS history. In December 2025, she listed Harry Shum Jr. as one of her dream DWTS partners on a Joe Vulpis podcast. Meanwhile, Val Chmerkovskiy was partnered with Jenna DeWan this season, both of whom have extensive dance experience.
The Things reported that Jenna and Britt’s pairing created much fury within DWTS fans. because it suggests favoritism towards Jenna. Britt Stewart was partnered with Taylor Hanson, who lacks dance experience, but has a large fan base. Stewart has never expressed any resentment towards Shum and Johnson, in fact she has expressed excitement for the couple in Instagram comments, especially since the pros don’t get to decide who their partners are, but DWTS fans are still irritated.Â
With Whitney Carson pregnant this season, Sharna Burgess back after her five-year break, Mark Ballas continuing to show off that he’s the best teacher, and Ezra Sosa as my favorite newer pro cast member, I know I’ll be tuning in.
Season 35 will be a season to remember.
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