Summary (tl;dr)

The 35th season of "Dancing with the Stars" has just premiered with a two-night event, driving significant public interest in its new celebrity cast, including Olympic and Paralympic champions, and the season's first elimination.

Essential Background

"Dancing with the Stars" (DWTS) is a long-running American dance competition television series. It pairs celebrities with professional dancers to compete in various dance styles, with weekly performances judged by a panel and audience votes. The show is known for its live broadcasts and the dramatic eliminations that occur throughout the season, culminating in one couple winning the Mirrorball Trophy. It traditionally airs on ABC and is available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

The Full Story

"Dancing with the Stars" Season 35 premiered with a two-night event, starting on September 15, 2026, and continuing tonight, September 16, 2026. The new season features a prominent cast, including Paralympic track and field athlete Ezra Frech and Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn, marking the first time in the show's history that both an Olympic and Paralympic champion are competing in the same season. Other celebrity contestants include reality television personality Conner Leavitt, who is married to a former semi-finalist of the show, Whitney Leavitt. The initial night of the premiere saw Conner Leavitt and his professional partner Adele Zaikman eliminated from the competition. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as hosts, while Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli are back on the judging panel. The ongoing public searches for cast details, viewing options, and voting information reflect the high level of engagement with the new season.

Why It Matters

The trending keywords highlight the immense public interest surrounding the return of "Dancing with the Stars." The inclusion of trailblazing contestants like Paralympian Ezra Frech, who won two gold medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, alongside Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn, is particularly significant, drawing new attention to adaptive sports and diverse representation. The rapid-fire nature of the season's first elimination, involving a contestant like Conner Leavitt with existing reality TV ties, immediately establishes the competitive stakes and fuels discussions among fans. This widespread engagement with the cast, performances, and elimination process underscores the show's continued popularity and its ability to generate buzz and maintain a dedicated viewership.

Geographic Location

• Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (primary production location of "Dancing with the Stars")