Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars premiered this past Tuesday and Wednesday, and with the shows recent rise in popularity, it’s no surprise that this years cast is one of the best in recent years. However, with so many contenders vying for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, it really is anyone’s game. This article will delve into the five couples I think have the best shot at going all the way and raising the mirrorball at the end of the season.
Now, onto the list!
- Amber and Pasha
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With the 2026 Winter Olympics taking place just a few months ago, Amber Glenn is still a fresh face and name in the public eye. Many viewers recognize her for her role in Team USA winning gold in the team event, along with her inspiring redemption skate following a rough short program in the women’s individual event.
With Glenn being a figure skater, she has history on her side. Figure skaters typically do very well on the show, and if her cha-cha on Wednesday was any indication of what we’ll see for the rest of the season, Glenn definitely won’t be an exception. As an athlete, Glenn has the ability to perform certain moves and tricks that her competitors can’t, and that is something her Pro, Pasha Pashkov, mentioned taking advantage of. Should they play their cards right and show consistency, Amber and Pasha could go very far.
- Ezra and Daniella
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The next couple on the list also includes an athlete: Ezra Frech. A two-time Paralympic champion, Ezra Frech’s success as a track and field athlete is inspiring. Frech has no lower left leg, and his left hand has two fingers, one of which is his big toe that doctors had transplanted during a procedure he had when he was two years old. However, none of that stopped him from putting on an incredible performance on Tuesday.
Nonetheless, I argue that his greatest advantage over the rest of the competitors is something (or someone) else: his pro. It’s no question that Daniella Karagach is one of the most adored pros in the history of the show. Nicknamed “The Ferrari” for her incredibly fast and clean dancing, Karagach first rose in fans’ rankings after delivering an outstanding ‘US’ themed contemporary in season 30 with her partner Iman Shumpert, with whom she ended up winning the mirrorball.
Since her Emmy-nominated dance, Karagach has continued to impress with her creative and unique choreography, earning her a trip to the finale in four of her six seasons on the show. Fans can expect the same this season with Frech, as Karagach’s originality will only help in garnering more votes for the pair.
- Harry and Jenna
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On his own, Harry Shum Jr. carries a large fan base. He has been a part of many hit shows and movies such as Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, Crazy Rich Asians, and Everything Everywhere All At Once, to name a few. Through these projects, he has made a name for himself and has an established fanbase that will only grow as the weeks progress and more viewers see his dancing abilities.
Shum Jr. also has some dance experience, so it’s no surprise that he is currently tied at the top of the leaderboard with Maura and Mark (who I’ll talk about later). He worked as a backup dancer for multiple famous artists like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Alicia Keys. While ballroom dancing is different from what Shum Jr. is used to, it’s already established that he can move and has rhythm. Viewers can expect high quality, content-heavy performances from him and Jenna (his pro) that are sure to score well with the judges and entertain everyone.
- Julia and Ezra
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Similar to Shum Jr., Julia Stiles is known worldwide for her work as an actress. Everyone knows and loves 10 Things I Hate About You, but she has also been in other successful projects like Save the Last Dance and the Jason Bourne franchise. However, what specifically stands out to me as her advantage is the audience that she appeals to. Most of her films were released in the late 1990s and early 2000s, meaning there are many Gen X and Millennial watchers who are very fond of her.
Stiles also has a leg up with her pro, Ezra Sosa, who has an incredible social media presence. Sosa is one of the few Gen Z pros on the show, and so he has a great feel for what the show’s most prominent audience (teenagers and young adults) wants to see online. Especially in recent seasons, we’ve seen social media become the main outlet for couples to grow their fanbase. With Stiles and Sosa engaging with different age groups, it expands their fanbase and thus their votes.
- Maura and Mark
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Maura Higgins is absolutely beloved in reality TV, and while she was on Love Island UK, her appearance on The Traitors US is where her first advantage comes into play. She was on the show with Mark Ballas, and therefore built a friendship with the DWTS pro. Already, the two have so much chemistry with one another, and partnership plays a big role in collecting votes. Getting fans to love you and your pro individually is one thing, but when they also enjoy your dynamic together, it helps a great deal.
It also helps that she can dance very well! I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high hopes for Higgins as a dancer, and I wasn’t going to put her on this list initially. However, I am happy to say that I was wrong, as she is currently tied with Harry and Jenna on the leaderboard following her and Ballas’ Foxtrot to Alannah Myles’ song, “Black Velvet.”
Speaking of Higgins’ pro, Ballas is also very popular among fans. He was a host on DWTS: The Next Pro and is known for his outstanding choreography. His love from his fans are clear through his 11 finale appearances, and there’s a good chance that he makes it 12 this year.
I can’t wait to see who wins this season of DWTS!
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