Dancing with the Stars Season 34: Cast, Premiere, and What to Expect from the Ballroom’s Biggest Night

 

Dancing with the Stars Season

The glittering ballroom is back and brighter than ever—Dancing with the Stars Season 34 premiered on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, marking the 20th anniversary of the beloved celebrity dance competition. With a fresh lineup of stars, returning fan-favorite pros, and a revamped production, this season promises to be one of the most dazzling and competitive yet.

Whether you're tuning in for the footwork, the fashion, or the fierce fight for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, here's everything you need to know about DWTS 2025.

Season 34 Premiere: When and Where to Watch

The new season kicked off with a live two-hour premiere on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with next-day streaming available on Hulu. Fans in the Eastern and Central time zones were able to vote live during the show, while online and text voting options remain open for all U.S. viewers.

Episodes will air weekly on Tuesday nights, with themed performances, eliminations, and surprise guest appearances keeping the energy high throughout the fall.

Meet the Celebrity Cast of DWTS 2025

Season 34 features 14 celebrity contestants, ranging from Olympic athletes and reality TV stars to musicians and influencers. Each is paired with a professional dancer to compete in choreographed routines across ballroom and Latin styles.

Here’s the full cast lineup:

CelebrityProfession/Claim to FamePro Partner
Jordan ChilesOlympic gymnastEzra Sosa
Dylan EfronInfluencer, Zac Efron’s brotherDaniella Karagach
Corey FeldmanActor (The Goonies, Stand By Me)Jenna Johnson
Danielle FishelActress (Boy Meets World)Pasha Pashkov
Hilaria BaldwinReality star (The Baldwins)Gleb Savchenko
Baron DavisNBA All-StarBritt Stewart
Alix EarleInfluencer, SI Swimsuit modelVal Chmerkovskiy
Robert IrwinWildlife advocate, son of Steve IrwinWitney Carson
Lauren JaureguiSinger (Fifth Harmony)Brandon Armstrong
Elaine HendrixActress (The Parent Trap, Dynasty)Alan Bersten
Scott HoyingMusician (Pentatonix)Rylee Arnold
Jen AffleckReality star (The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives)Jan Ravnik
Whitney LeavittReality star (The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives)Mark Ballas
Andy RichterComedian (Late Night with Conan O’Brien)Emma Slater

Hosts and Judges: Familiar Faces Return

Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as co-hosts, bringing charm, wit, and dance expertise to the ballroom. The judging panel remains unchanged, featuring:

  • Carrie Ann Inaba – Known for her emotional critiques and technical precision

  • Bruno Tonioli – The flamboyant showman with a flair for drama

  • Derek Hough – Six-time Mirrorball champion turned judge, offering sharp insights and choreography expertise

Together, they score each performance and help determine which couples advance or face elimination.

Premiere Night Highlights

The Season 34 premiere featured an electrifying opening number choreographed by Ray Leeper, set to “Kill the Lights” by Whitney Myer. The new DWTS troupe—Carter Williams, Hailey Bills, Onye Stevenson, and Jaxon Willard—also performed a contemporary piece to Tate McRae’s “Just Keep Watching.”

Week 1 dances included the Cha-Cha, Salsa, Jive, and Tango, with standout performances from Jordan Chiles and Dylan Efron earning early praise from the judges.

What’s at Stake: The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy

Named in honor of the late Len Goodman, the Mirrorball Trophy remains the ultimate prize. Last year’s winners, Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, set a high bar with their emotional storytelling and technical mastery.

This season, the competition is fierce, with early fan favorites emerging and underdogs surprising the judges. Viewer votes combined with judges’ scores will determine weekly eliminations.

How to Stream DWTS 2025

  • ABC: Live broadcast every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT

  • Disney+: Live streaming and on-demand access

  • Hulu: Episodes available the next day

Subscription options vary:

  • Disney+ Basic (with ads): $9.99/month

  • Disney+ Premium (ad-free): $15.99/month

  • Hulu Basic: $9.99/month

  • Hulu + Disney+ Bundle: Starting at $10.99/month

What’s New This Season?

  • New Pro Dancers: Jan Ravnik, a former backup dancer for Taylor Swift, joins the pro roster

  • Podcast Launch: Season 33 winner Joey Graziadei debuts the Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast on September 18

  • Expanded Voting: More interactive voting options, including live text and online ballots

With a diverse cast, seasoned judges, and a production team committed to innovation, Dancing with the Stars Season 34 is poised to be a fan-favorite. Whether you're rooting for a gymnast, a pop star, or a nostalgic TV icon, the ballroom is open—and the competition is on.

For full cast bios, weekly scores, and behind-the-scenes content, visit or explore . Let me know if you’d like weekly recaps or predictions for who might take home the trophy.