'Dancing with the Stars' reveals hosts, judges for Season 35
Dancing with the Stars confirmed its Season 35 hosts and judges on Good Morning America on Sept. 1, 2026. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as hosts, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli resume judging. The full celebrity cast arrives on GMA Sept. 2, ahead of a Sept. 15 premiere.
ABC's long-running ballroom competition is gearing up for its 35th season with familiar faces at the helm. The Sept. 1 Good Morning America segment offered fans their first official look at the returning panel and a preview of what's ahead before the full cast drops.
Key Takeaways
- Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as Season 35 hosts; Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli stay on the judges' panel.
- The lineup was announced during a Sept. 1 segment on Good Morning America, one day before the full cast reveal.
- Season 35 premieres with back-to-back episodes on Sept. 15 and Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
- Four celebrities are confirmed so far, including Guillermo Rodriguez paired with reigning champion Witney Carson.
- Pro dancer Sharna Burgess is also returning after a five-year break from the series.
Who Are the Hosts and Judges for Season 35?
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will co-host Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. Ribeiro, who won the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 19, has shared hosting duties with Hough since Season 32. Julianne competed as a pro in the show's early seasons and later served as a judge before stepping into the co-host role in 2023.
The judges' panel remains unchanged: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. Inaba and Tonioli have judged every season since the show's 2005 debut. Derek Hough competed as a pro for nearly a decade, winning six Mirrorballs, before becoming a judge in 2020.
When Does Season 35 Premiere?
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 kicks off with back-to-back episodes on Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Wednesday, Sept. 16. Both episodes air at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.
Fans can catch the full celebrity cast announcement on Good Morning America Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 7 to 9 a.m. ET on ABC.
Which Celebrities Are Confirmed So Far?
Four stars have been officially named ahead of the full cast reveal. Summer House star Ciara Miller, The Traitors fan favorite Maura Higgins, and Savannah Bananas second baseman Jackson Olson are all set to compete. Jimmy Kimmel Live staple Guillermo Rodriguez is also confirmed, and he'll dance alongside Witney Carson, who won Season 34 with Robert Irwin.
Additional cast members and pro pairings are expected during the Sept. 2 GMA broadcast. For more updates on celebrity TV news, visit our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
What Did the Panel Tease on Good Morning America?
During the Sept. 1 GMA appearance, Derek Hough promised an energized season built on momentum from an incredible cast and reinvigorated pros. You can expect what you know and love about Dancing with the Stars but also an energized show, he said.
Julianne Hough teased a special theme night with standout fashion, while Ribeiro highlighted the show's signature celebrity-pro pairings as its enduring magic. Good Morning America also reported that pro Sharna Burgess is returning after a five-year hiatus following her Season 27 Mirrorball win with Bobby Bones.