“Dancing With the Stars” has returned for Season 35 with a particularly varied group of celebrities. Sixteen stars from television, film, music, sports, reality TV, social media and the culinary world entered the ballroom, creating some partnerships viewers might never have expected to see on the same season.
Among the biggest Hollywood names is Julia Stiles, the actress known for films including “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Save the Last Dance.” She is partnered with Ezra Sosa, and her history with dance-related roles naturally created plenty of curiosity about what she could accomplish in a ballroom competition.
Jenna Dewan is another contestant arriving with considerable performance experience. Before building her acting career and starring in “Step Up,” Dewan worked as a professional dancer. She has been paired with Val Chmerkovskiy, giving Season 35 another celebrity whose previous dance background could create high expectations.
Harry Shum Jr. also brings substantial dance experience. Long before his acting work on shows including “Glee” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” Shum worked professionally as a dancer. His partnership with Jenna Johnson therefore attracted immediate attention when the cast was announced.
The season also includes several familiar television personalities. Tatyana Ali, remembered by generations of viewers as Ashley Banks on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” is dancing with Jan Ravnik, while former “Bachelorette” personality Tyler Cameron has been partnered with returning professional Sharna Burgess.
Reality television has an especially strong presence this season. “Summer House” star Ciara Miller is competing with Brandon Armstrong, while Maura Higgins, known from “Love Island” and “The Traitors,” has been paired with veteran professional Mark Ballas.
“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” is represented by Conner Leavitt, who is dancing with new professional Adele Zaikman. His participation carries an unusual family connection because his wife, Whitney Leavitt, previously competed on “Dancing With the Stars.”
Sarah Jane Nader is another reality personality joining the lineup, partnered with Hailey Bills. Their partnership is particularly notable because they became only the second all-female celebrity-and-professional pairing in the history of the U.S. version of the competition.
Season 35 also reaches into the worlds of music and food. Hanson singer Taylor Hanson is partnered with Britt Stewart, while celebrity chef and television personality Giada De Laurentiis is competing alongside Alan Bersten.
Athletes are represented by Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech and figure skater Amber Glenn. Frech is paired with Daniella Karagach, while Glenn is dancing with Pasha Pashkov, bringing two very different forms of elite athletic experience into the ballroom.
The remaining lineup adds even more variety. Savannah Bananas personality Jackson Olson is partnered with Emma Slater, comedian and podcaster Connor Wood is dancing with Rylee Arnold, and longtime “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” personality Guillermo Rodriguez is competing with Witney Carson.
With 16 celebrities coming from dramatically different backgrounds, Season 35 has created a field where experienced performers share the ballroom with contestants learning dance almost entirely from scratch. The combination of actors, athletes, reality stars, musicians, entertainers and a celebrity chef makes this one of the show’s most eclectic casts—and ensures that previous fame or experience alone will not determine how each partnership handles the pressures of live ballroom competition.
