**Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Set to Make Its Grand Return**
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After more than two decades of captivating audiences, the beloved dance competition series *Dancing with the Stars* is returning for its highly anticipated 35th season. The premiere will take place over two nights on 15th and 16th September, promising an exciting lineup of celebrity contestants eager to compete for the prestigious Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
First making its debut in 2005, *Dancing with the Stars* has paired celebrities with seasoned professional dancers, creating memorable performances and moments that have charmed viewers worldwide. This new season features a diverse cast, including athletes, actors, reality television personalities, and social media influencers. Among the notable pairings are Jenna Dewan, known for her role in *Step Up*, dancing with Val Chmerkovskiy, and Julia Stiles from *10 Things I Hate About You*, who will be partnered with Ezra Sosa.
In an interview with PEOPLE, showrunner Conrad Green expressed the series’ role in uniting various segments of the celebrity world. He remarked, “The celebrity world, all of media, are so fragmented with all these different groups. We’re a way of trying to bring it together,” emphasising the show’s commitment to fostering positivity and collaboration through dance.
Returning to co-host the show are Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, offering their expert guidance and engaging chemistry. The judging panel remains unchanged, with Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough lending their expertise to evaluate the performances.
The structure of the season’s opening night is designed to engage both the contestants and the audience. *Premiere Night One* will showcase all male contestants performing to the number-one hit from the year of their birth, with one celebrity facing elimination at the end of the evening. Following suit, *Premiere Night Two* will feature the female contestants executing their routines to similar nostalgic tracks, with the same elimination format in place.
Following the two-night kick-off, *Dancing with the Stars* will settle into its weekly rhythm, airing new episodes every Tuesday on ABC and available for streaming on Disney+. Historically, the season wraps up in November, with recent finals showcasing the increasing talent and competitive spirit of the contestants. Season 34 concluded with Robert Irwin and Witney Carson taking home the trophy, and viewers are eager to see who will emerge victorious this time.
This season’s cast is rich with personalities, including Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s Guillermo Rodriguez paired with Witney Carson, Grey’s Anatomy’s Harry Shum Jr. dancing with Jenna Johnson, and chef Giada De Laurentiis teaming up with Alan Bersten. The line-up also includes Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech with Daniella Karagach and Olympic figure skating champion Amber Glenn with Pasha Pashkov, demonstrating the show’s commitment to showcasing diverse talent.
Reality television is well represented too, with *Summer House* star Ciara Miller partnering with Brandon Armstrong, and *The Traitors* contestant Maura Higgins teaming up with Mark Ballas. Additionally, unique pairings continue with *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* star Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman, alongside *Love Thy Nader*’s Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills creating their own dance journey.
Fans of the series can tune in every Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT to catch the latest episodes. For those unable to watch it live, episodes will also be available for streaming the following day on Disney+ and Hulu, ensuring no one misses out on the excitement.
As *Dancing with the Stars* embarks on its 35th season, the series reinforces its position as a cherished fixture on television, celebrating dance, diversity, and the extraordinary stories of its contestants. Viewers are in for a treat as they witness couples take to the floor, striving for excellence in a competition filled with anticipation and flair.