As the new season of the beloved television series “Dancing with the Stars” approaches, viewers can look forward to an exciting roster of contestants, including comedian and podcaster Connor Wood, who is set to make his debut in Season 35. Wood, who has amassed over one million followers on social media under the handle @Fibula, has partnered with professional dancer Rylee Arnold for the competition.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/connor-wood-rylee-arnold-DWTS-091126-d467c27a92bd43d6a91be28cbab3dfcb.jpg)
In a recent conversation with PEOPLE, Wood shared that he has sought guidance from former contestants who also hail from the influencer realm. Notable figures such as Alix Earle and Dylan Efron offered insights based on their own experiences on the show. Earle notably finished as the runner-up in the previous season, while Efron secured fourth place.
Wood revealed that he reached out to several past participants, including Joey Graziadei, the champion of Season 33, and Olivia Jade Giannulli, who was eliminated in Week 8 during Season 30. He expressed the key advice he received: to prioritise having fun throughout the journey. “Everybody said just have fun,” Wood remarked. “I want to make sure I don’t leave here thinking, ‘I wish I would’ve…’”
Determined to fully embrace the experience, Wood stated that he plans to “leave it all on the floor” during performances, eager to seize the opportunity. “One night on the floor with my girl,” he joked, prompting Arnold to playfully correct him, suggesting there would be more than just one night involved.
The new season will not only feature influencers like Wood but also a diverse cast that includes athletes, actors, and other creative talents. Among the group are Jenna Dewan, actress and former professional dancer, paired with Val Chmerkovskiy; Julia Stiles of “Save the Last Dance,” who will dance with Ezra Sosa; and Harry Shum Jr., known for “Glee,” partnered with Jenna Johnson.
Other contestants are equally varied, showcasing members of “Bachelor Nation” such as Tyler Cameron, who is teamed with Sharna Burgess, alongside Tatyana Ali from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, both of whom will join the dance floor with their professional partners. Additionally, Taylor Hanson from the iconic band Hanson is set to compete with Britt Stewart.
The season will also celebrate incredible achievements, featuring paralympian gold medalist Ezra Frech alongside Daniella Karagach and Olympian gold medalist figure skater Amber Glenn with Pasha Pashkov. Family ties to previous contestants are also apparent, with Conner Leavitt, husband of Whitney Leavitt from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” and reality star Sarah Jane Nader, sister of model Brooks Nader, each taking their shot at the title.
Earlier announcements had already teased the participation of “Summer House” star Ciara Miller, alongside other contestants including Maura Higgins from “Love Island UK,” Guillermo Rodriguez from “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” and Jackson Olson from the Savannah Bananas baseball team. Miller will be paired with Brandon Armstrong, while Higgins is matched with Mark Ballas.
Returning to guide the competition, co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro will bring their charisma back to the show, alongside the familiar faces of long-time judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough.
“Dancing with the Stars” is set to kick off with a bang, featuring a two-night premiere on September 15 and 16. The highly anticipated episodes will air on ABC and Disney+, with a subsequent streaming release on Hulu the following day.
As the countdown continues, audiences are left to wonder how Wood and his fellow contestants will navigate the glittering, yet challenging dance floor, each hoping to impress both judges and fans alike during this thrilling new season.