Season 35 lineup and premiere details
The contestants vying for the Mirrorball Trophy on the upcoming season of the ABC dance competition were introduced on Wednesday. The roster of 16 includes performers, reality television figures, and athletes, from Olympic medalists to a Savannah Bananas player. Among the notable names are actress Julia Stiles, figure skater Amber Glenn, and Jimmy Kimmel's sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez.[S1]
Reality star Sarah Jane Nader will be paired with Hailey Bills, marking the third same-sex partnership in the program's history. The season, numbered 35, is hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and former professional dancer Julianne Hough. It will debut on ABC across two evenings, September 15 and 16. The judging panel includes Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough.[S1]
Celebrity contestants and their partners
Tatyana Ali, 47, known for her role as Ashley Banks on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,' will dance with Jan Ravik. Tyler Cameron, 33, a general contractor from 'The Bachelorette,' partners with Sharna Burgess. Chef Giada de Laurentiis, 56, will be paired with Alan Bersten. Jenna Dewan, 45, who starred in 'Step Up,' dances with Val Chmerkovskiy.[S1]
Paralympian Ezra Frech, 21, a gold medalist in Paris, partners with Daniella Karagach. Amber Glenn, 26, who won gold in figure skating at the Milan Cortina Olympics, is paired with Pasha Pashkov. Taylor Hanson, 43, of the band Hanson, will dance with Britt Stewart. Maura Higgins, 35, from 'Love Island,' partners with Mark Ballas.[S1]
Conner Leavitt, 32, from 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' is paired with Adele Zaikman. Ciara Miller, 30, from 'Summer House,' partners with Brandon Armstrong. Sarah Jane Nader, 23, from 'Love Thy Nader,' dances with Hailey Bills. Jackson Olson, 28, a Savannah Bananas player, partners with Emma Slater.[S1]
Guillermo Rodriguez, 55, Kimmel's longtime sidekick, will dance with Witney Carson. Harry Shum Jr., 44, from 'Glee' and 'Step Up,' partners with Jenna Johnson. Julia Stiles, 45, known for '10 Things I Hate About You,' is paired with Ezra Sosa. Comedian Connor Wood, 30, partners with Rylee Arnold.[S1]
