The hit reality dance TV show “Dancing with the Stars” is officially back for its 34th season, its 20th season on air–and here’s everything you need to know.
Based on the British TV series “Strictly Come Dancing,” the show challenges some of the largest names to learn a new dance each week, ranging from classic ballroom dances, Latin American dances, hip hop, jazz, and contemporary. Their goal is to make it through each week to the finale, hoping to win the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, renamed after one of the original panelists, Len Goodman, who judged starting from season 1 up until his death after season 31.
After they perform each dance, the three panelist judges, Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Derek Hough, judge and rate them on a scale of 10.
This season, the ballroom is stacked with great dancers. Here is everything you need to know about each of the stars, including the ones that have been eliminated, and their status in the competition.
Starting strong with Alix Earle, a TikTok phenomenon with over 7 million followers, also known as the host of the “Hot Mess” podcast and an entrepreneur. This season, she is paired with 3x Mirrorball winner, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, whose most recent Mirrorball win was Season 32 with Xochitl Gomez. Currently, Earle stands in the top 10 of the competition, yet to be eliminated.
Next is Andy Richter, who is best known as Conan O’Brien’s sidekick and for his role in the popular Christmas film, “Elf.” This season, he is paired with Pro Emma Slater, whom’s last Mirrorball win was 10 seasons ago in Season 24 paired with Rashad Jennings. Richter currently stands in the top 10 as well.
If you know of “Boy Meets World,” you definitely know the 90’s sitcom icon, Topanga Lawrence. Best known for the role of Topanga, Danielle Fishel is stepping into the ballroom this season. She is paired with Pro Pasha Pashkov, who has yet to win a Mirrorball Trophy. Will Girl Meet Mirrorball? Going into week 5, Danielle is still competing, putting her in the Top 10.
“Traitors” Season 3 winner and Zac Efron’s little brother, Dylan Efron, is making his way to the ballroom. He is best known for his “Traitors” Season 3 win, and he is also a travel influencer. He currently stands in the Top 10 with his Pro Partner, Daniella Karagach, whose most recent Mirrorball win was in Season 30, paired with Iman Shumpert.
Icon from “The Parent Trap,” Meredith Blake, is hoping to take home the Mirrorball Trophy this season. Elaine Hendrix is making her Hollywood comeback this season. Elaine was a professional dancer for a bit of time in the 90s before deciding to take up acting, giving her an advantage over other contestants. She is paired with Pro Alan Bersten, who came in second place last season (Season 33), but last won a Mirrorball in Season 28 alongside Hannah Brown.
You know her from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”; it’s Jen Affleck! Alongside reality TV, Jen is also a TikTok star with 2.4 million followers. Jen is partnered with Pro Jan Ravnik, and it is his first season. But you definitely know him as one of Taylor Swift’s backup dancers on the Eras Tour. She is still standing strong in the competition, also putting her somewhere in the Top 10.
Jen isn’t the only Mormon Wife competing this season. Her costar, Whitney Leavitt, is also busting a move on the ballroom floor this season. Besides reality TV, Whitney is also a TikTok star with over 3 million followers. Controversially, Whitney does have dance experience as she was a lifelong dancer and has a college degree in Dance as well. Pro Mark Ballas has come back this season and is Leavitt’s dance partner. Mark is a 3x Mirrorball winner; he most recently received the trophy in Season 31 with Charli D’Amelio as his partner. Leavitt is yet to be eliminated, placing her somewhere in the Top 10.
Coming from the gymnasium, it’s Olympic Gold Medalist Jordan Chiles! Temporarily breaking from Team USA, Chiles has made her way into the ballroom. She doesn’t have any dance experience, but have you seen her floor routines? She is definitely a fun watch. This season, she is partnered with Pro Ezra Sosa, who has yet to win a mirrorball. The two are still going strong in the competition, which means they will also end up in the top 10. But will Chiles exchange her gold medals to go for a silver trophy?
Crikey! Entering the ballroom is wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin. Irwin is best known for “Crikey! It’s the Irwins”, and being the co-host of “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!” Robert hopes to continue in his family’s footsteps, as his sister, Bindi Irwin, won the show back in 2016 with Derek Hough. And he is definitely a strong contender for that mirrorball, as so far he has delivered high-energy performances with tons of technique. He has been partnered with Season 19 Mirrorball Winner, Whitney Carson, who has been testing Robert’s limits week after week, choreographing intense dances with many fun tricks. Irwin is still in the competition, placing him in the Top 10, but he is a strong contender to place high.
The last person still in the competition is Scott Hoying. He is best known for being in the Grammy-winning A Cappella group, Pentatonix. Pentatonix isn’t known much for their footwork, so Hoying’s dance experience is limited. He is partnered with Pro Rylee Arnold, another pro yet to win a Mirrorball. Will this fun and energetic duo make their way to the top?
This past week was Dedication Night, where each of the remaining celebrities will dedicate their dance to an important person in each of their lives, while also incorporating them into the dance. At the end of the night, they ended up not eliminating anybody, and scores will carry into next week, Wicked Night.
But, as we enter Week 6, that means some celebrities have been eliminated already, and here’s everything about them.
In 11th place is Hilaria Baldwin, one of the most controversial celebrities to enter the dance floor. She is known for being on the reality TV show, “The Baldwins,” and her very questionable Spanish accent, which gives her a lot of hate. Another reason she was a controversial addition to the dance floor is that she was a competitive Latin dancer, making her a very experienced dancer, especially in styles used on the show. Hilaria and her Pro Partner, Gleb Savchenko, were eliminated during Disney Week after performing a Quickstep to “Cantina” from “Star Wars: A New Hope.”
In 10th place came Lauren Jauregui. You know her from the popular girl group, Fifth Harmony. Jauregui was hoping to take after some of her former bandmates and place high in the competition, but was unfortunately eliminated on Week 3. She was partnered with Pro Brandon Armstrong, who has yet to take home a Mirrorball Trophy.
Tying for 13th place is NBA All-Star Baron Davis. Baron is best known for his 13-year career in the NBA, including two NBA All-Star Titles. Baron was hopeful to make a slam dunk in the ballroom, but instead airballed into 13th place. He was partnered with Pro Britt Stewart Durant.
The final eliminated celebrity, tying for 13th place, is Corey Feldman. Known for acting in “Stand By Me,” “The Goonies,” and “Lost Boys.” Feldman was a musician, but his dance moves were found to be controversial. He was partnered with Pro Jenna Johnson, who won Season 33 alongside “Bachelor” Joey Graziadei.
These are the 14 celebrities who have stepped foot into the ballroom for the 34th Season of Dancing With The Stars.
This upcoming week is Wicked Night, where each of the remaining celebrities will perform to a song from the popular musical, “Wicked.” This episode will air just a month before the release of “Wicked: For Good” in November.
Be sure to tune in and vote for your favorite celebrities and pros each week to keep them in the competition! Dancing with the Stars airs at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays on Disney + and ABC.
