The Explosive Start Of Dancing With The Stars: Season 35 Premiere Date, Cast Rumors, And What Really Happened In Season 34

The anticipation surrounding the start of a new Dancing with the Stars season is always electric, and with Season 34 having just wrapped up in December 2025, all eyes are already on the next Mirrorball Trophy race. The show continues its legacy as one of television’s most enduring reality competitions, transitioning seamlessly between network television (ABC) and its streaming home (Disney+). This article brings you the freshest details, including the official start date of the last season, the expected premiere window for the upcoming Season 35, and a deep dive into the stars who made the last competition an unforgettable spectacle.

The recent Season 34 premiere, which kicked off on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, set a high bar, introducing a cast of celebrities that sparked immediate social media buzz and intense fan debate. From unexpected frontrunners to shocking eliminations, the season was a masterclass in ballroom drama. As we look ahead to the next cycle, the traditional mid-September launch date remains the most likely target for the DWTS Season 35 premiere, promising a fresh batch of stars and professional dancers ready to hit the dance floor.

The Start of Season 34: Premiere Details and Key Cast Biographies

The official start of Dancing with the Stars Season 34 was Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, airing live on ABC and streaming simultaneously on Disney+. The season concluded on December 2, 2025, with a dramatic finale that saw a fan-favorite take home the coveted Mirrorball.

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The judging panel for the season remained a consistent and beloved trio: Carrie Ann Inaba, known for her critiques on lifts and technique; Bruno Tonioli, famous for his flamboyant commentary; and former professional dancer Derek Hough. Co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and former judge Julianne Hough returned to guide the celebrities through their journeys.

Key Biographical Profiles from the Season 34 Start

The cast of Season 34 was packed with high-profile names. Here are the profiles of the winner and the runner-up, two entities that defined the season’s start and finish:

• Robert Irwin (Winner)
  • Profession: Australian television personality, wildlife conservationist, and photographer.
  • Relevance to DWTS: Son of the late "Crocodile Hunter," Steve Irwin, he quickly became a fan favorite due to his infectious enthusiasm and emotional connection to the music. His victory was achieved despite a rib injury that plagued him late in the season.
  • Professional Partner: Witney Carson.
• Alix Earle (Runner-Up)
  • Profession: Social media influencer and TikTok star.
  • Relevance to DWTS: Earle brought a massive Gen Z audience to the show, leveraging her huge online following. She was a consistent high-scorer and a major talking point throughout the season, finishing a close second.
  • Professional Partner: Val Chmerkovskiy.
• Elaine Hendrix (Finalist)
  • Profession: Actress, best known for her role in The Parent Trap.
  • Professional Partner: Alan Bersten.
• Baron Davis (Contestant)
  • Profession: Former NBA All-Star.
  • Professional Partner: Britt Stewart.

Behind the Scenes: Format Changes and Topical Authority

The continuous success of Dancing with the Stars is often attributed to its willingness to evolve and introduce new elements, keeping the competition fresh for both long-time viewers and new fans streaming on Disney+. The start of Season 34 brought several key format and technical changes that significantly impacted the competition.

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The Shift to Real-Time Voting

One of the most significant changes affecting the start of the season was the continuation of real-time voting. Fans could cast their votes live during the broadcast, which meant the results and eliminations were determined by the judges' scores and the audience's votes from that very night, dramatically increasing the stakes and immediacy of the show. This change allows for greater viewer engagement and faster results.

The Shocking Finale Format Twist

For the Season 34 finale, co-host Alfonso Ribeiro announced a surprise new format. Instead of the traditional two-dance finale, the final couples competed in three demanding rounds of competition. This twist required the finalists to demonstrate even greater stamina, versatility, and mastery of different dance styles in a single night. This last-minute change added a layer of unpredictability to the show’s conclusion.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords for DWTS

To fully understand the *DWTS* phenomenon, it's essential to recognize the core entities and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords that define the show. These concepts are crucial to the show's topical authority and fan discussions:

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• The Mirrorball Trophy: The ultimate prize awarded to the winning celebrity and professional dancer pair.
• Professional Dancers: The backbone of the show, including fan favorites like Val Chmerkovskiy, Witney Carson, Alan Bersten, and Britt Stewart.
• Ballroom and Latin Dance Styles: The foundation of the competition, including the Cha-Cha, Tango, Waltz, Salsa, Jive, Paso Doble, and Rumba.
• Judges' Scores: The numerical ratings (out of 10) given by the panel, which, combined with the fan vote, determine who is eliminated.
• Theme Nights: Special episodes that add a unique flair to the competition, such as Disney Night, Halloween Night, and One-Hit Wonders Night.
• The Skybox: The area where the couples await their scores and are interviewed by the co-hosts.

Looking Ahead: The Expected Start of Dancing with the Stars Season 35

While the final curtain has only just fallen on Season 34, the question everyone is asking is: When does Dancing with the Stars Season 35 start?

The Anticipated Premiere Date

As of December 2025, Dancing with the Stars has not yet been officially renewed for Season 35. However, given its strong ratings and continued popularity on both ABC and Disney+, a renewal is highly likely. Following the established pattern of previous seasons, the expected premiere date for Season 35 is mid-September 2026. The show traditionally launches in the fall television season, typically on a Tuesday night at 8/7c.

Season 35 Cast Rumors and Speculation

The period between seasons is dominated by cast speculation. While no official names have been confirmed for the Season 35 cast, the rumor mill is already churning. Producers typically look for a diverse mix of athletes, actors, musicians, and social media personalities to generate maximum interest and controversy at the start of the season. The show's casting director will be looking for the next breakout star to follow in the footsteps of winners like Robert Irwin and previous champions.

Fans can expect the official cast announcement to be made in late August or early September 2026, just a few weeks before the anticipated premiere. Until then, the excitement builds as viewers speculate on which celebrity will be brave enough to take on the challenge of the foxtrot and the quickstep in the next highly anticipated season of Dancing with the Stars.