The anticipation is building as Season 35 of *Dancing with the Stars* prepares to make its debut, featuring a mix of celebrity contestants, including actors Jenna Dewan, Julia Stiles, and Harry Shum Jr. Despite their varied dance backgrounds, judge Carrie Ann Inaba has emphasised that past experience may not translate into an easy run on the show.
In a recent interview with *Entertainment Weekly*, Inaba, who has been a key judge since the show’s inception, shared her insights regarding the upcoming season. The programme is set to premiere with two consecutive nights on Tuesday, 15 September, and Wednesday, 16 September, airing on ABC. Inaba noted that while contestants like Stiles, Dewan, and Shum have dance experience, transitioning to ballroom dancing poses unique challenges.
“What’s difficult — and I don’t think people realise this — is when you go from being a jazz dancer or a hip-hop dancer to ballroom, the weight placement is so different,” she explained. Inaba elaborated on how ingrained movement and muscle memory could create hurdles for dancers accustomed to different styles. “Your body remembers how to dance, and it thinks it knows these moves, but it doesn’t. It takes considerable time to adjust one’s body to perform ballroom techniques correctly.”
Inaba pointed out that while Stiles and Dewan possess a certain rhythm and musicality that could work in their favour, their recent time away from the dance floor may pose a few obstacles. The seasoned judge remarked, “They know how to learn choreography and remember choreography, but it has been a few years since they last danced in that capacity.”
Harry Shum Jr., best known for his role as Mike Chang on *Glee* and his performances in the *Step Up* film series, acknowledged the misconceptions surrounding his dance background. During an appearance on *Good Morning America*, he addressed the assumptions that his previous dance experience would inherently grant him an advantage on *DWTS*. “I think everyone’s idea is, ‘Oh, you dance, so you should be able to dance anything,’” he stated. “That’s just not true. There are hundreds of styles, not dozens, hundreds all over the world.”
While recognising the pressure that accompanies his established dance background, Shum expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to partner with Jenna Johnson, noting her greater understanding of the craft. “I’m here to have fun, dance, and tell some fun stories,” he said, praising Johnson as an exceptional partner and teacher.
Julia Stiles, in her casting reveal, reflected on her experience in the iconic 2001 film *Save the Last Dance*. Contrary to popular belief, she suggested that this previous role might not be as advantageous in the competition as viewers might expect. “I think it’s a bit of a disadvantage, to be honest,” she confessed. Stiles explained how the expectations that followed her role hindered her ability to dance freely. “I stopped taking dance classes after that movie because people expected me to be a great dancer. I’m a home dancer; I love dancing at home. Part of my reason for coming on this show is to rediscover my joy in dance and regain my confidence.”
As the start date inches closer, the excitement around the new season continues to grow, with fans eager to see how these contestants will adapt to the rigours of ballroom performance. *Dancing with the Stars* not only challenges its celebrities physically but also offers them a platform to evolve and share personal stories through dance.
The two-night premiere on 15 and 16 September will be available on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the following day on Hulu. As audiences prepare for an eventful season, all eyes will remain on how each contestant navigates the complexities of dance, and whether their previous experience will serve to propel them forward or hold them back in this celebrated competition.