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Stars of 'DWTS' season 35 speak out live on 'GMA'
The celebrity cast of Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars was unveiled live on Good Morning America this week, giving viewers their first look at the stars who will be trading their usual routines for ballroom shoes. The new lineup features actors, athletes, reality stars, musicians, social media personalities and a celebrity chef.
With rehearsals already underway, several of the contestants are getting their first real taste of just how demanding competitive ballroom dancing can be.
Julia Stiles Takes on a New Challenge
Among the most recognizable names joining the cast is actress Julia Stiles, who is partnered with professional dancer Ezra Sosa.
Stiles, known for films including 10 Things I Hate About You, Save the Last Dance and the Bourne franchise, is stepping into unfamiliar territory as she prepares to compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
The actress has already experienced some difficult rehearsal days. She and Sosa recently acknowledged the challenges of preparing for their ballroom debut, with Stiles embracing Sosa's demanding but supportive coaching style.
Jenna Dewan Already Knows How to Move
Jenna Dewan may have an advantage over some of her fellow contestants.
The actress and dancer, who rose to fame after starring in Step Up, has worked professionally as a backup dancer for artists including Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott and Christina Aguilera. This season, she'll be partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy.
Despite her extensive dance background, competing on DWTS presents a very different challenge than performing in music videos or movies.
A Cast Full of Big Personalities
The Season 35 lineup also includes a wide range of familiar faces.
Reality stars Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller and Tyler Cameron will compete alongside singer Taylor Hanson, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, Jimmy Kimmel Live! personality Guillermo Rodriguez, Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson, actor Harry Shum Jr. and Olympians including Amber Glenn and Ezra Frech.
Higgins, who recently appeared on The Traitors, is partnered with longtime pro Mark Ballas. The pair have already been joking about the reality star's dance stamina as she adjusts to the intense rehearsal schedule.
Meanwhile, comedian and social media personality Connor Wood, also known as Fibula, is partnered with Rylee Arnold and has admitted to feeling nervous about what the judges might think of his first performance.
The Pros Are Ready, Too
Season 35 also brings some familiar professional dancers back to the ballroom, including Sharna Burgess, who returns to competition for the first time since Season 30.
Adele Zaikman is also joining the professional lineup after winning the inaugural season of Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.
At the judges' table, Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli are all returning, while Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will once again serve as co-hosts.
When Does Season 35 Premiere?
The new season will begin with a special two-night premiere on Sept. 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. ET, airing on ABC and Disney+. Episodes will also stream the following day on Hulu.
Until then, the celebrities and their professional partners have plenty of rehearsing, sweating and learning ahead of them.
For some, the dance floor may feel like home. For others, it's completely unfamiliar territory.
But when the music starts, they'll all have the same goal: make it to the Mirrorball.
Source: Good Morning America
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