The Dancing with the Stars 2026 cast is bringing one of the biggest and most diverse lineups in the show’s history to the ballroom. Season 35 features 16 celebrities from television, film, music, sports, reality TV, comedy and social media, all hoping to transform their personalities into dance-floor performances and win the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
The new season arrives with plenty of star power, familiar professional dancers and several intriguing partnerships that could make the competition especially unpredictable.
From Julia Stiles and Jenna Dewan to Olympic athletes, reality stars and internet personalities, the DWTS 2026 cast has something for almost every type of viewer.
Dancing with the Stars 2026 Cast and Professional Partners
Here is the complete Season 35 celebrity lineup and their professional dance partners:
| Celebrity | Known For | Professional Partner |
| Tatyana Ali | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Jan Ravnik |
| Tyler Cameron | The Bachelorette, Reality TV | Sharna Burgess |
| Giada De Laurentiis | Celebrity Chef | Alan Bersten |
| Jenna Dewan | Step Up, The Rookie | Val Chmerkovskiy |
| Ezra Frech | Paralympic Gold Medalist | Daniella Karagach |
| Amber Glenn | Olympic Figure Skater | Pasha Pashkov |
| Taylor Hanson | Hanson | Britt Stewart |
| Maura Higgins | Love Island, The Traitors | Mark Ballas |
| Conner Leavitt | The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives | Adele Zaikman |
| Ciara Miller | Summer House, The Traitors | Brandon Armstrong |
| Sarah Jane Nader | Love Thy Nader | Hailey Bills |
| Jackson Olson | Savannah Bananas | Emma Slater |
| Guillermo Rodriguez | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Witney Carson |
| Harry Shum Jr. | Glee, Step Up | Jenna Johnson |
| Julia Stiles | 10 Things I Hate About You, Save the Last Dance | Ezra Sosa |
| Connor Wood | Comedian and Podcaster | Rylee Arnold |
With 16 celebrity contestants, the stars 2026 season gives fans a particularly wide range of personalities to follow.
Jenna Dewan Could Be One of the Biggest Names to Watch
Jenna Dewan immediately stands out because dancing is already a major part of her career.
Best known for the hit dance movie Step Up, Dewan has professional dance experience and has performed alongside major artists. That background could give her an advantage when learning complicated choreography.
However, having dance experience can also create expectations. Viewers may expect Dewan to deliver technically impressive routines from the beginning.
Her partnership with Val Chmerkovskiy, one of the show’s most recognizable professional dancers, makes this couple particularly interesting.
Julia Stiles Returns to the Dance World
For many viewers, Julia Stiles may be one of the most exciting additions to the 2026 cast.
Stiles became famous through movies including 10 Things I Hate About You and Save the Last Dance. The latter is particularly interesting because it connects her directly to dance culture.
Now, years after Save the Last Dance, Stiles will actually compete on a dance floor rather than simply portray a character who dances.
She will be paired with Ezra Sosa, creating a partnership that could deliver some of the season’s most entertaining storytelling.
Harry Shum Jr. Has Dance Experience Too
Another celebrity entering the competition with a dance background is Harry Shum Jr.
The actor and performer is widely recognized for Glee and his appearances in the Step Up franchise. His experience with choreography could make him an early contender.
Shum Jr. will dance with Jenna Johnson, a professional known for developing strong connections with celebrity partners.
The big question is whether Shum Jr.’s previous dance experience translates into the ballroom styles required by DWTS.
Olympic Athletes Bring Serious Competition
The 2026 cast also has impressive athletic credentials.
Amber Glenn, an Olympic figure skater, brings years of training, balance and performance experience to the ballroom. Figure skating requires rhythm, body control and the ability to perform under pressure, qualities that could translate well to competitive dancing.
She will partner with Pasha Pashkov.
Meanwhile, Ezra Frech brings an entirely different athletic story. The Paralympic champion competes in track and field and has demonstrated extraordinary determination on the international stage.
Frech will dance with Daniella Karagach, creating one of the season’s partnerships that many viewers will be watching closely.
Tatyana Ali Brings Nostalgia to DWTS
Fans of classic television will immediately recognize Tatyana Ali, who became famous as Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Ali has also worked as a singer, producer and entrepreneur, giving her experience across multiple areas of entertainment.
She will partner with Jan Ravnik.
Her appearance could attract longtime television fans who grew up watching her on one of the most recognizable sitcoms of the 1990s.
Reality TV Stars Add Drama and Personality
Reality television is strongly represented in the stars 2026 cast.
Maura Higgins, known for Love Island and The Traitors, joins the ballroom with legendary professional Mark Ballas.
Ciara Miller from Summer House and The Traitors will compete with Brandon Armstrong.
Meanwhile, Tyler Cameron, who rose to fame through The Bachelorette, will partner with returning professional Sharna Burgess.
These contestants could become major fan favorites because reality television stars often bring strong personalities and established audiences to DWTS.
Giada De Laurentiis Trades the Kitchen for the Ballroom
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis is taking on an entirely different kind of challenge.
Known for her television career and Italian-inspired cooking, De Laurentiis will now have to master ballroom and Latin choreography under the pressure of weekly performances.
Her professional partner is Alan Bersten.
Her participation could produce one of the season’s most entertaining transformations as viewers watch an experienced television personality step outside her comfort zone.
Taylor Hanson Returns to the Spotlight
Music fans also have a reason to tune in.
Taylor Hanson, a member of the band Hanson, joins the competition decades after the group’s massive success with “MMMBop.”
Hanson will partner with Britt Stewart.
The combination of musical experience and ballroom choreography could make this partnership one to watch, particularly if Hanson can use his natural sense of rhythm to his advantage.
A Historic Same-Sex Partnership
One of the notable elements of the Dancing with the Stars 2026 cast is the partnership between Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills.
Nader, known from Love Thy Nader, will compete alongside Bills, who is entering the main series as a professional dancer.
Their partnership represents another step in DWTS’s continuing expansion of different types of dance partnerships.
The Unexpected Contestants
Some of the most entertaining contestants may be the ones viewers least expect.
Guillermo Rodriguez, longtime sidekick on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, is joining the competition with Witney Carson.
Jackson Olson, a Savannah Bananas player known for the entertainment-focused Banana Ball phenomenon, will dance with Emma Slater.
Then there is Connor Wood, a comedian and podcaster who built a large online following. He will partner with Rylee Arnold.
These contestants could bring comedy, viral moments, and unpredictable performances to the ballroom.
When Does Dancing with the Stars 2026 Start?
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 begins with a special two-night premiere on September 15 and September 16, 2026.
The season will feature returning hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough return to the judging panel.
The combination of familiar faces and a completely new celebrity lineup gives the 2026 season a fresh feel while maintaining the show’s classic format.
Who Could Win the 2026 Mirrorball Trophy?
Predicting a winner before the first performance is difficult, but several contestants immediately stand out.
Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr. have dance experience, while Amber Glenn and Ezra Frech bring elite athletic backgrounds. Julia Stiles has a unique connection to dance through Save the Last Dance, while celebrities such as Tatyana Ali, Maura Higgins and Guillermo Rodriguez could benefit from strong fan support.
Ultimately, DWTS is not simply about technical ability. Personality, storytelling, chemistry with a professional partner and the ability to connect with viewers can be just as important.
Final Thoughts
The Dancing with the Stars 2026 cast has all the ingredients for a memorable season: movie stars, television favorites, Olympic athletes, musicians, chefs, reality personalities, comedians and social media creators.
With 16 celebrities competing for the Mirrorball Trophy, Season 35 could produce unexpected friendships, surprising breakouts and plenty of viral dance moments.
The biggest question now is simple: Which celebrity will go from complete beginner to ballroom champion?
The answer will unfold one dance at a time when the 2026 competition officially begins.
