The dance floor is getting ready for a new batch of stars. ABC is assembling the cast for “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35, with rehearsals already underway this week and contestants going to extreme lengths to keep their identities under wraps. To protect the surprise, stars have been filmed wearing masks as they are escorted out of the studios.
The network has not yet revealed the full lineup vying for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, but several names have been confirmed and others are circulating. “Summer House” star Ciara Miller is locked in, as is “Traitors USA” breakout and former “Love Island UK” contestant Maura Higgins. Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson, a second baseman who is no stranger to putting on a show, will also compete.
Confirmed, Rumored and Waiting
More recently, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez was added to the cast and will make his way across the ballroom floor this fall. Beyond the confirmed stars, the rumor mill is busy. Names being mentioned include “The Bachelorette” Season 15’s Tyler Cameron and “Step Up” star Jenna Dewan.
Other media personalities reportedly in the mix are “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt’s husband, Connor Leavitt, and “Love Thy Nader” star Sarah Jane Nader. Both already sit in the Disney family, which would continue fueling the Hulu-verse the company has invested heavily in through its “Get Real” campaign.
It won’t be until Sept. 2 on “Good Morning America” when the full list of celebrities is revealed, so fans will have to keep guessing until then.
Why It Matters
“Dancing With the Stars” remains appointment television for millions, and Season 35 is shaping up to be one of its most reality-heavy lineups in years. The heavy presence of “Summer House,” “Love Island,” “Traitors” and Disney-verse talent is no accident, as ABC leans on its own franchise stars to cross-promote across the network. That strategy keeps the show a reliable ratings engine while feeding the Hulu reality ecosystem. When the full cast drops Sept. 2, expect the conversation to dominate social media for days.
