Dancing with the Stars 2025: Full Cast Lineup, Premiere Date, and Game-Changing Twists Revealed

The ballroom lights are warming up for Dancing with the Stars 2025, and ABC’s long-running hit is stepping into its milestone 20th anniversary season (officially season 34). Here’s everything fans, cord-cutters, and curious first-timers need to know before the first glitter cannon fires. Season premiere and how to watch Season 34 launches live on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. As in recent cycles, episodes will air simultaneously on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu, giving viewers three ways to catch every cha-cha. Confirmed celebrity lineup (so far) ABC is saving its full cast reveal for Good Morning America on September 3, but four star competitors are already locked in: • Alix Earle — mega-influencer and Hot Mess podcast host • Robert Irwin — wildlife conservationist and photographer • Whitney Leavitt — TikTok favorite and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives personality • Jen Affleck — fellow Mormon Wives star Biggest rumors heating up Reddit and DeuxMoi comment threads include Hilaria Baldwin, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, actor Taylor Lautner, and former NBA All-Star Baron Davis. Expect at least a dozen celebs total when ABC lifts the velvet rope. Pros and a Swift connection Almost the entire Mirrorball brigade returns, headlined by Val Chmerkovskiy, Witney Carson, Daniella Karagach, Emma Slater, and Mark Ballas. New to the pro roster is Jan Ravnik, fresh off Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour — a crossover sure to boost Swiftie viewership. Hosts, judges, and that trophy glow-up Sibling superstar Julianne Hough and Fresh Prince icon Alfonso Ribeiro reprise hosting duties, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli hold down the judges’ table for their trademark lift-policing and “10!” paddles. The champions will hoist the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, renamed last year to honor the late head judge. Why season 34 matters • 20th anniversary: DWTS first quick-stepped onto ABC in 2005, and producers promise throwback theme nights and legacy pro cameos. • Cross-platform push: Simulcast on ABC and Disney+ keeps the show trending on both linear TV and streaming charts. • Gen Z reach: Casting social-media powerhouses like Alix Earle and Whitney Leavitt signals an aggressive play for TikTok engagement. • Sports synergy: Rumored athletes Jordan Chiles and Baron Davis would extend DWTS’ track record of turning jocks into ballroom beasts. How to boost your viewing experience • Vote in real time with the official DWTS app or at ABC.com during live broadcasts. • Follow #DWTS and #DWTS2025 on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok for behind-the-scenes rehearsal clips. • Rewatch routines and judge critiques the next morning on Hulu to catch Easter-egg callbacks to earlier seasons. Bottom line With a premier date locked, four buzzworthy celebs confirmed, and a fresh mix of veteran and new pros, Dancing with the Stars 2025 is poised to be the most talked-about season since the show’s 2005 debut. Clear your Tuesday nights, dust off your sequins, and get ready to vote — the race for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy starts September 16.