America’s star-studded ballroom is back and the cast is ready to rumba. Last week, “Dancing with the Stars” announced the celebrities that will be taking over our screens for season 34. These stars have been officially paired with their professional dance mentors, and it will be up to America to vote for the best duos every week this fall. With the fate of the Mirrorball Championship winners in your hands, here’s what to expect.
Preseason promotion started early in the year, with the show’s marketing team announcing in the spring that conservationist Robert Irwin and social media influencer Alix Earle would join season 34’s cast on “Good Morning America.” These stars, known for their large following on social media, are both highly anticipated by fans with potential to become well trained by their veteran dance partners, Whitney Carson and Valentin Chmerkovskiy. Although their lack of dance background might lead to a slow start for the stars, their mentors who have been pros for over 10 years may be exactly what they need to be frontrunners.
The show’s high social media presence intends to capture young viewers. Last season held record breaking viewership, and a lot of that attraction may be due to some of the Gen Z pro dancer’s media platforms. The new style of releasing specific cast members ahead of others could be based on multiple marketing strategies developed since last season. Second-year pro Ezra Sosa and third-year pro Rylee Arnold are expected to be popular picks based on the height of their own fanbases. Both pros are matched with performers that have experience in dance in one way or another, as Sosa attempts to make it past the first round with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles. Arnold prepares to strike the competition with Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying, although the pair has faced questionable feedback after an interview with Arnold resurfaced.
“For some reason, I had this thought that Robert Irwin was gonna be my partner because I kind of had put it out into the atmosphere,” said Arnold to US Weekly.
Despite her ideal partner turning into her opponent, Hoying appears to be a well-rounded entertainer capable of dominating the dance floor in a potential power duo.
Some big names have also drawn excitement from viewers for being unexpected A-listers, such as actor Corey Feldman joining defending champion Jenna Johnson, maintaining viewership from older demographics. “Boy Meets World” actress Danielle Fishel also has potential to get votes from every demographic thanks to her starring roles in multi-generational television shows. Fishel said in an interview last week that what inspired her to say yes to this season was based on her recent breast cancer recovery.
“After last year having cancer, I just realized, like, ‘I’m not having enough fun,’ or ‘I’m not experiencing enough joy,’” said Fishel to US Weekly. “And the minute this call came in, it sounded like exactly that joy and fun wrapped up into a three-month experience. It’s been a week, and that’s exactly what it’s been — joy and fun.”
Other stars include “The Parent Trap” actress Elaine Hendrix, Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui, reality stars Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, comedian Andy Richter and NBA All-Star Baron Davis. The season will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 16 on ABC.