Harry Shum Jr. Joins Dancing With the Stars Season 35—Glee Alum Headlines Star-Studded Cast

Harry Shum Jr. is stepping back into the national spotlight this fall as one of the most talked-about contestants on Season 35 of “Dancing with the Stars.” Within hours of the cast reveal, the “Glee” favorite dominated social platforms and entertainment headlines, signaling that the ballroom competition may have already found its breakout star. Producers paired Shum with fan-favorite pro Jenna Johnson, and early rehearsal footage shows the duo fusing ballroom technique with the actor’s signature hip-hop flair. In a recent interview, Shum pushed back on assumptions that his background guarantees an easy win, insisting that ballroom “is a completely different beast” and that he’s “starting from scratch”. The casting has reignited a perennial DWTS debate: should celebrities with prior dance experience compete against total novices? Some fans argue the advantage is unfair, while others say Shum’s presence raises the performance bar and attracts new viewers. Industry watchers note that several of this season’s other contestants—including fellow alum Jenna Dewan—also boast professional dance résumés, turning Season 35 into what one outlet dubbed “the most competitive lineup in years”. Beyond the dance floor, Shum’s career momentum is undeniable. Since wrapping “Glee,” he has starred in “Shadowhunters,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and the Oscar-winning hit “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” The 2026 DWTS stint doubles as a promotional springboard for his upcoming indie film “Broken Rhythm,” slated for a winter theatrical release. Social media metrics tell the story: searches for “Harry Shum Jr.” surged 600 % week-over-week, and his latest rehearsal clip racked up 2 million views on Instagram in under 24 hours. Hashtags #TeamShum and #ShumShake are already trending, while dance tutorials breaking down his preseason cha-cha have flooded TikTok. “Dancing with the Stars” premieres September 15 on ABC and streams next-day on Disney+. Fans can vote live during each broadcast, making early engagement critical for Shum and Johnson’s mirror-ball ambitions. Whether his decades-honed footwork translates into ballroom gold or not, one thing is clear: Harry Shum Jr. is poised to turn Tuesday nights into must-see TV for dance lovers and “Glee” loyalists alike.