Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Premiere: Double Elimination, New Pros, and Special Two-Night Event
The Dancing With the Stars season 35 premiere is here, delivering a star-studded two-night spectacle packed with surprises. From groundbreaking format changes to the debut of a new pro, here’s everything you need to know about ABC’s biggest dance competition returning this fall.
Couples Split Across Two Nights in First-Ever Male/Female Split Competition
For the first time in its history, DWTS season 35 will split celebrity contestants across the two-night premiere (Tuesday, Sept. 15 and Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. ET). Male celebrities, including Olympic gold medalist Ezra French and “Savannah Bananas” star Jackson Olson, will perform on night one, while female contestants like Julia Stiles and Ciara Miller debut on night two. Each routine will feature a No. 1 hit from the celebrity’s birth year, blending nostalgia with high-energy choreography.
Double Elimination Raises Stakes From Week One
Following Tuesday’s performances, one male celebrity will be eliminated, with voting closing immediately after their routines. Wednesday’s show will see the female contestants perform, with the second elimination occurring post-show. This split structure and elimination format promise intense drama and unpredictable outcomes.
New Pro Adele Zaikman Makes DWTS Debut Alongside Returning Pros
The pro roster expands this season with Adele Zaikman, the inaugural champion of the spinoff “The Next Pro.” She’ll partner with Connor Leavitt, husband of Whitney Leavitt from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” Longtime fan favorite Sharna Burgess also returns for the first time since season 30 (2021), reuniting the iconic “Straun” pairing with her celebrity contestant.
How to Watch and Vote: Everything You Need to Know
Viewers can stream the season 35 premiere live on ABC and Disney+, with next-day replays available on Hulu. During the live shows, fans in the U.S. and Canada can vote via dwtsvote.abc.com, while select U.S. mobile users may text in votes. Votes are combined with judges’ scores to determine which couples stay—and which are eliminated—from the competition.
Judges and Hosts Return for Another Season of Glamour
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as co-hosts, with veteran judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough back to critique the season’s dancers. Their insights will shape the narrative of who stays in contention for the Mirrorball Trophy, adding both expertise and entertainment to the live broadcasts.
Note: The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News, Disney+, and Hulu.
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