After years of iconic routines and unforgettable moments, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ returns with a whole new crew of celebrities ready to take the spotlight! After the show’s return to the screen on September 16, the new season reached new heights with 5.5 million viewers, marking the most-watched season opener for the show since Season 29 in 2020. Fan voting also saw a significant increase with 21 million votes cast for the new cast, a 163% rise from last season’s premiere episode which saw 8 million votes according to Variety. With new pro dancers, social media presence, and celebrities, many are waiting in anticipation to see how the new season will unfold.
Hilaria Baldwin
Hilaria is a yoga instructor, podcaster and author. She is married to actor Alec Baldwin and has seven children. Their family stars in the TLC reality services “The Baldwins.” Her partner is Gleb Savchenko who has been a pro for 14 years.
Corey Feldman
Corey is a child star of the 80s with roles in “Stand By Me” and “The Goonies.” Corey also pursued a career in music and raised awareness about child abuse the the movie industry. His partner is Jenna Johnson who has been a pro since 2014. Unfortunately, Corey was eliminated the second week after performing.
Alix Earle
Alix is a social media influencer who has appeared in Super Bowl commercials in 2025 for Carl’s Jr. and Poppi. She is also the host of “Hot Mess” podcast. Her partner is Val Chmerkovskiy who has been a pro for 20 seasons.
Dylan Efron
Dylan is a digital creator and reality TV star in season 3 of “Traitors.” His brother is world famous actor Zac Efron. Both Dylan and Zac co-produced and starred in the Emmy winning eco travel series “Down to Earth with Zac Efron” on Netflix. His partner is Daniella Karagach who has been a pro for 6 years.
Danielle Fishel
Danielle is an actress and Director who famously played Topanga in 90s hit TV show “Boy Meets World.” She is now the host of a podcast about the show called “Pod Meets World.” Her partner is Pasha Pashkov who has been a pro for 5 seasons.
Elaine Hendrix
Elaine is an actress in movies such as the 1998 remake “The Parent Trap” alongside Lindsay Lohan. Hendrix has also appeared on shows including “Dynasty,” “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll,” and “Joan of Arcadia.” Her partner is Alan Bernstein who has been a pro for 9 years.
Scott Hoying
Scott Hoying is a Grammy and Emmy Award-winning musician who co-founded the popular a cappella group Pentatonix. Hoying has sold more than 13 million albums and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023. His partner is Rylee Arnold who has been on Dancing with the Stars for 2 seasons.
Robert Irwin
Robert Irwin is a global advocate for wildlife and conservation, following in the footsteps of his dad, the late Steve Irwin. Robert travels the world to support conservation efforts through their nonprofit organization, Wildlife Warriors, and Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland. Robert Irwin’s older sister Bindi Irwin won season 21 of “DWTS” in 2015. His partner is Witney Carson who has been a pro for 14 years.
Jen Affleck
Jen is most known for the hit Hulu reality series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” Jen is also a social media influencer with 2.5 million followers on TikTok who loves to share dance videos and lifestyle content. Her partner is Jan Ravnik, the newest pro on Dancing with the Stars. Before his debut on DWTS, Jan moved to the US from Slovenia in 2015 to pursue professional dancing after winning Best Dancer of Slovenia twice. He was most notably a backup dancer for Taylor Swift on her iconic Eras tour as well as for artists like Bruno Mars and Mariah Carey.
Lauren Jauregui
Lauren is a singer best known for being part of the girl group Fifth Harmony which was formed on hit talent show “X-Factor” in 2012. Her partner is Brandon Armstrong who has been a pro since 2017. Sadly, Lauren was eliminated in the third week after performing.
Baron Davis
Baron is a Two-time NBA all state drafted to the Charlotte Hornets in 1999. He played for multiple teams including the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He is now a businessman and founder of the company No Label. His partner is Britt Stewart who has been a pro for 9 years. Sadly, Baron was eliminated second week after performing
Whitney Leavitt
Whitney is a social media influencer and entrepreneur who stars alongside fellow “DWTS” cast member Jen Affleck on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” Leavitt is also a mom of three with over 2.5 million followers on TikTok. Her partner is Mark Ballas who has been a pro for 16 years.
Jordan Chiles
Jordan is a gymnast who recently competed in the 2024 Olympics. She is a 2-time Olympics Medalist in the 2024 and 2020 Olympics. She is also an author of her memoir titled “I’m That Girl: Living the Power of My Dreams.” Her partner is Ezra Sosa who has been a pro since 2021.
Andy Richter
Andy is an actor, comedian, and writer best known for his years as Conan O’Brien’s sidekick on “Late Night,” “The Tonight Show,” and “CONAN.” Richter has also appeared in movies including “Elf” and “Madagascar.” He is also currently the host of the SiriusXM show “The Andy Richter Call-in Show” and the podcast “The Three Questions.” Her partner is Emma Slater who has been a pro for 19 seasons.
Predictions
So far, I am ecstatic about the lineup of new celebrities this season. With the increased social media activity from both the pros and the stars, I believe the show will only continue to grow attention as more viral moments emerge. As a dancer myself, I am constantly impressed by the skill and passion of the professional dancers. However, I do think that it is frustrating that the celebrities that often win are the ones with prior dance experience, whether professionally or recreationally. For example, stars like Whitney Leavitt, Hilaria Baldwin, and Elaine Hendrix have extensive dance training which undeniably gives them a significant edge over others.
So far, My favorite pairing is Robert Irwin and Witney Carson. Their chemistry, both on and off the dance floor, paired with Robert’s surprisingly strong dance ability makes them an exciting duo to watch. Another pairing I am excited to grow is Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa. Their vibrant energy and hilarious social media presence has surprised fans, and their comeback after a tough first week shows promise.
When interviewing Grace Prutinton, a senior on the Cathedral Catholic dance team, on her predictions for the season, she explained, “I enjoy watching DWTS because it is so fun to see them improve throughout the season and being able to root for your favorites.” With a new bunch of talented celebrities and skilled pro dancers, this season of Dancing with the Stars promises excitement, drama, and memorable performances.
