With Dancing With the Stars Season 35 just days away, early predictions are already giving fans plenty to talk about. Before the celebrities even step onto the ballroom floor, analysts have attempted to identify which contestants could have the strongest chances of making a deep run and which could face an early exit.
One set of reported predictions placed Harry Shum Jr. near the top of the field. The actor and dancer, who is partnered with Jenna Johnson, has extensive dance experience, making him an obvious name to watch when the competition begins.
Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn also ranks among the leading contenders in the early predictions. Her skating background gives her experience with performance, musicality, balance and choreography, although ballroom dancing brings its own very different technical demands.
Jenna Dewan is another celebrity attracting significant attention. With a professional dance background and her experience in projects such as Step Up, Dewan enters the season with skills that could translate well to the ballroom, although judge Carrie Ann Inaba has cautioned that previous dance training does not automatically guarantee success.
Julia Stiles is also appearing high on some early prediction lists. Her connection to Save the Last Dance has made her one of the most intriguing contestants of the season, but Stiles herself has explained that her previous dance experience should not necessarily be treated as an automatic advantage.
Harry Shum Jr., Amber Glenn, Jenna Dewan and Julia Stiles therefore enter the season with considerable attention surrounding them. However, the ballroom has repeatedly demonstrated that early expectations can change quickly once judges’ scores and audience support enter the picture.
On the other end of the predictions, Giada De Laurentiis and Conner Leavitt have appeared among the names considered most vulnerable to an early elimination in one recent analysis. Tatyana Ali, Sarah Jane Nader and Taylor Hanson were also listed among contestants facing greater early-elimination risk.
The situation is especially interesting because Season 35 will begin with an unusual two-night premiere. The male celebrities perform on September 15, while the female celebrities take the ballroom on September 16, with one male and one female contestant set to be eliminated during the premiere.
That format could make the opening episodes especially unpredictable. Contestants will have very little time to establish themselves with viewers, meaning first impressions, choreography and the chemistry between each celebrity and professional partner could become extremely important.
The official Season 35 cast includes major names such as Jenna Dewan, Julia Stiles, Harry Shum Jr., Amber Glenn, Tyler Cameron, Tatyana Ali, Giada De Laurentiis, Maura Higgins and Taylor Hanson. The season premieres September 15 and 16 on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the following day on Hulu.
Ultimately, these early predictions are only forecasts, not guarantees. Once the music starts and the celebrities finally take the floor, unexpected performances could completely change the picture. For now, however, the early favorites and potential first exits have given fans another reason to be excited for what could be a very competitive Season 35.
Compiled with various sources.
