From Cosmopolitan · Corinne Sullivan · · 3m
DWTS season 35, who is still dancing
Season 35 has a stacked ballroom, one week 1 exit, and a cast built from Olympians, actors, reality stars, and athletes.
In brief
Season 35 has a stacked ballroom, one week 1 exit, and a cast built from Olympians, actors, reality stars, and athletes. Conner Leavitt was the first eliminated, while the remaining 15 celebrities are still chasing the Mirrorball Trophy. Originally reported by Cosmopolitan.
Season 35 begins
Dancing With the Stars returned September 15 with live shows and a 16-person celebrity cast competing for the Mirrorball Trophy.
“Get your dancing shoes ready”
The cast reveal
ABC announced the full season 35 lineup and pro pairings on Good Morning America on September 2.
Amber skates in
Olympian Amber Glenn enters as a Top 15 contestant with Pasha Pashkov. Her figure skating background makes rhythm and movement her built-in edge.
“it’s been a dream of mine”
Ciara gets her shot
Ciara Miller, known from Summer House and The Traitors, is partnered with Brandon Armstrong. She brings 10 years of ballet training.
“You got to get this down.”
Connor brings the internet
Connor Wood, also known as Fibula, joins the Top 15 with Rylee Arnold. His dance experience is unclear, which makes him a true wild card.
Ezra enters as champion
Two-time Paralympian Ezra Frech competes with Daniella Karagach. He is new to ballroom, but comes in with elite track-and-field discipline.
Giada tries ballroom
Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis is paired with Alan Bersten. Her dance background is unknown, but her name recognition is not.
Guillermo gets his moment
Jimmy Kimmel Live! regular Guillermo Rodriguez joins Witney Carson. Kimmel joked about his parking lot security guard roots as he entered the cast.
“the first-ever parking lot security guard to dance with the stars”
Harry has real training
Harry Shum Jr. may be one of the season’s strongest dancers. Before acting, he backed up Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, and Madonna.
Jackson dances from baseball
Savannah Bananas player and TikTok creator Jackson Olson is partnered with Emma Slater. He has choreography experience, but no formal dance background.
“yes, yes I would.”
Jenna returns to dance
Jenna Dewan enters with Val Chmerkovskiy and serious credentials. She rose to fame through Step Up and once danced backup for Janet Jackson.
Julia brings nostalgia
Julia Stiles joins Ezra Sosa, carrying major Save the Last Dance history into the ballroom. The pressure to nod to that movie is already obvious.
“Welcome to Juilliard.”
More famous names
Maura Higgins, Sarah Jane Nader, Tatyana Ali, Taylor Hanson, and Tyler Cameron are all still in the Top 15 with their pro partners.
Conner goes first
Conner Leavitt finished in 16th place after being sent home in week 1. He danced with Adele Zaikman after cheering on Whitney Leavitt last season.
The key point
Conner Leavitt was the first eliminated, while the remaining 15 celebrities are still chasing the Mirrorball Trophy.
