Dancing with the Stars: From Ballroom Beginnings to Season 35 and Beyond

By Dance Mogul Magazine  |  Originally Published June 2012  |  Updated May 2026

Dancing with the Stars is one of the longest-running and most beloved dance competition shows in television history. Since premiering on ABC in June 2005, the American adaptation of the British series Strictly Come Dancing has brought ballroom dance into living rooms across the nation, inspiring millions to appreciate the art form. The show pairs celebrities from every walk of life — athletes, actors, musicians, social media personalities, and more — with professional ballroom dancers who guide them through weeks of competition. Now heading into its landmark 35th season in fall 2026, Dancing with the Stars continues to set viewership records and expand its cultural footprint with new spinoffs and fresh energy.

Two Decades of Ballroom Excellence

Over 34 seasons, more than 400 celebrities have taken to the ballroom floor, partnered with world-class professional dancers who have become stars in their own right. The show has crowned champions ranging from Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and NFL legend Emmitt Smith to Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger and actress Jennifer Grey. Each season brings a unique blend of athleticism, artistry, and emotional storytelling that transcends typical reality television. The show's format — where judges score each couple's predetermined dances while audiences vote to keep their favorites — has proven irresistible to viewers for over two decades.

The judging panel has evolved over the years. Original judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli have been with the show since day one. The late Len Goodman served as head judge for most of the show's run before retiring after Season 31; he passed away in April 2023. Derek Hough joined the panel for Season 29 and has remained a fixture since. Professional partners like Cheryl Burke, Mark Ballas, Derek Hough, and Julianne Hough became household names through the show, building careers that extend far beyond the ballroom.

Hosts Through the Years

Tom Bergeron hosted the show for its first 28 seasons, from the 2005 premiere through 2019, becoming synonymous with the franchise. He was joined by a series of co-hosts: Lisa Canning in Season 1, Samantha Harris for Seasons 2 through 9, Brooke Burke-Charvet from Seasons 10 through 17, and Erin Andrews for Seasons 18 through 28. After Bergeron's departure in 2020, the show went through a transitional period before Alfonso Ribeiro stepped in as host for Season 31. Julianne Hough joined as co-host beginning in Season 32, and the duo has led the show since, bringing renewed energy and chemistry to the broadcast.

In a nostalgic full-circle moment during Season 34's 20th anniversary celebration, Tom Bergeron returned as a guest judge, delighting longtime fans and even urging ABC to bring back the results show format due to the program's record-breaking ratings resurgence.

Season 34: Record-Breaking 20th Anniversary (Fall 2025)

Season 34 premiered on September 16, 2025, on both ABC and Disney+, marking the show's 20th anniversary. The milestone season became the most-watched in years, recording the highest pre-semifinal viewership in six seasons and a record-breaking 72 million votes during the finale. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returned as hosts, with Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli on the judges' panel.

Australian wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin — younger brother of Season 21 winner Bindi Irwin — captured the hearts of viewers and was crowned the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy champion alongside his partner Witney Carson. Social media personality Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy finished as runners-up, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa took third place, reality personality Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach placed fourth, and actress Elaine Hendrix with Alan Bersten rounded out the top five.

The 20th anniversary celebration on November 11, 2025, brought together more than 20 former pros and cast members for a spectacular reunion, featuring special appearances by Allison Holker, Mark Ballas, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Peta Murgatroyd, and many more fan favorites. Guest judges throughout the season included Kym Johnson, Jon M. Chu (for Wicked Night), Cheryl Burke (for Halloween Night), Flavor Flav (for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night), and Tom Bergeron himself for the 20th Birthday Party episode.

Season 35: What We Know So Far (Fall 2026)

ABC officially confirmed Season 35 at Hulu's Get Real event on April 22, 2026. The show will return on Tuesday nights from 8/7c to 10/9c in fall 2026, with a premiere expected in mid-September. The series will continue to air simultaneously on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are set to return as hosts, with Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli confirmed to return as judges.

Three celebrity contestants have been confirmed so far. Summer House star Ciara Miller and The Traitors/Love Island veteran Maura Higgins were both announced on April 22. On May 12, at the Disney Upfronts, Savannah Bananas second baseman and internet personality Jackson Olson was revealed as the third confirmed contestant. The full cast of celebrities and professional dance partners will be announced on Good Morning America on September 2, 2026.

Despite Tom Bergeron's plea during Season 34 to bring back the two-night results show format, ABC has confirmed the results show will not return for Season 35. The show will continue with its current single-night format with real-time voting throughout each episode.

New Spinoff: Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro

In the franchise's biggest expansion since the original 2005 premiere, ABC announced a new companion series titled Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. Set to premiere on July 13, 2026, the show will feature 12 up-and-coming dancers living together in one house as they compete in a rigorous audition process. The winner earns a coveted spot as a professional dancer on Season 35.

Season 34 champion Robert Irwin will host The Next Pro, while three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas and his mother, legendary Latin dance champion Shirley Ballas (head judge of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing), will serve as judges. Episodes will air on ABC with next-day availability on Hulu. The spinoff marks the first time the show's professional audition process will be open to public viewing, offering aspiring dancers an unprecedented pathway into the franchise.

Complete Champions by Season

Below is the full list of Mirrorball Trophy winners across all 34 completed seasons:

Impact on Dance Culture

Dancing with the Stars has played a significant role in popularizing ballroom and Latin dance across the United States and beyond. The show has driven enrollment at dance studios nationwide, inspired a multi-city live tour (the 2026 DWTS: Live! tour concluded on May 13, 2026), and introduced audiences to dance styles ranging from the Viennese waltz and foxtrot to the Argentine tango and contemporary. For the global dance industry, the program remains a powerful ambassador — demonstrating that dance is not only an art form but a vehicle for personal transformation, discipline, and storytelling.

The franchise's expansion with The Next Pro signals a new era of opportunity for emerging professional dancers. As Dance Mogul Magazine has always championed, the pathway to success in dance requires both artistry and perseverance. Whether you're exploring different dance styles or dreaming of the ballroom spotlight, the door has never been more open.

Where to Watch

Dancing with the Stars airs live on ABC and streams simultaneously on Disney+. Episodes are available the following day on Hulu. The new spinoff Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro premieres July 13, 2026, on ABC. Season 35 of the main series returns Tuesday nights in fall 2026.

This article was originally published in June 2012 and has been comprehensively updated in May 2026 to reflect the show's current status through Season 34 and upcoming Season 35.