Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Kicks Off with Two-Night Premiere and Double Elimination
"Dancing with the Stars" returned to ABC on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, for its milestone 35th season, launching a two-night premiere event that continues Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. ET. The show streams on Disney+. For the first time in years, the premiere will feature a double elimination, with one male celebrity contestant sent home after Tuesday's performances and one female contestant eliminated Wednesday, raising the stakes from the outset.
Each couple competes on only one of the two premiere nights. Male celebrities took the stage Tuesday, while female celebrities will perform Wednesday. Every pair dances to a No. 1 song from the celebrity's birth year. Among Tuesday's performances, Paralympian gold medalist Ezra Frech danced a tango to Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" with partner Daniella Karagach, and "Savannah Bananas" star Jackson Olson performed a cha-cha with Emma Slater to the Spice Girls' "Wannabe." Wednesday's lineup includes reality star Ciara Miller dancing a foxtrot with Brandon Armstrong to Whitney Houston's "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" and film and TV star Julia Stiles performing a quickstep to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" with Ezra Sosa.
New Faces and Historic Representation
Season 35 introduces new pro dancer Adele Zaikman, who emerged as the winner of the inaugural season of "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Generation." Zaikman is partnered with Connor Leavitt, husband of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Whitney Leavitt. The season also makes history with Ezra Frech, a Paralympian who won two gold medals at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in the high jump T63 and 100m T63. Frech was born with a congenital limb difference, missing most of his left leg and all but one finger on his left hand. He received his first prosthetic leg at 11 months old and underwent a 15-hour amputation surgery at age 2. He is not the first contestant with a missing limb; Amy Purdy, a double leg amputee, was runner-up in season 18, and Noah Galloway, who lost his left arm and leg in the Iraq War, finished third in season 20.
Why the Season 35 Premiere Matters
The double elimination marks a significant format change, as the show traditionally refrains from eliminating anyone in the first week. This twist forces celebrities and their pro partners to bring their best performances immediately, with no grace period. The two-night structure also allows each celebrity to perform only once before facing potential elimination, increasing pressure on the pairs.
Behind the Scenes and Casting Trends
Ahead of the premiere, "Good Morning America" aired a behind-the-scenes segment with correspondent Cameron Mathison, offering viewers a look at rehearsal preparations. The segment highlighted the intense work that goes into the opening broadcast, showing celebrities and pros fine-tuning routines before cameras roll.
The season 35 cast continues the show's tradition of mixing athletes, actors, reality stars, and internet personalities. This season features figures from sports, entertainment, and social media, including Julia Stiles, Jenna Dewan, and others announced during the cast reveal on Sept. 2. The inclusion of Frech and Zaikman reflects broader trends in reality television toward greater representation and cross-platform casting.
Broader Implications for the Franchise and Reality TV
As "Dancing with the Stars" enters its 35th season, the franchise remains a staple of ABC's primetime lineup. The introduction of a double elimination early in the season could signal a shift toward higher-stakes competition formats, potentially influencing other reality competition shows. The show's ability to attract established stars like Stiles alongside emerging talents like Frech and Zaikman demonstrates its continued cultural relevance.
Past Contestants Who Found Greater Fame
The premiere also comes as media outlets revisit the show's legacy of launching or boosting careers. Just Jared recently highlighted 11 former contestants who became more famous after competing, including Kim Kardashian, Zendaya, Lisa Rinna, and Mark Cuban. This phenomenon underscores the show's role as a platform that can extend beyond the ballroom, sometimes propelling participants to new levels of stardom.
With the double elimination looming, season 35 is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable yet. As the two-night premiere unfolds, audiences will see which celebrities rise to the occasion and which will head home before the competition truly begins.
"Dancing with the Stars" airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Disney+.
Comments