Dancing with the Stars Returns Tonight for Viral Hits Night
"Dancing with the Stars" Season 35 continues tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 22, with a new episode airing from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streaming live on Disney+. The episode will be available on demand the next day on Hulu. This week, all 14 remaining couples will compete on the same night for the first time this season, following last week's two-night premiere that split the male and female celebrities across two episodes.
Tonight's theme is "Viral Hits Night," with couples performing to songs that have dominated the internet, including "That's So True" by Gracie Abrams and "All the Things She Said" by t.A.T.u. The episode marks a shift from the premiere format, which featured a double elimination that sent home one male and one female celebrity contestant.
How to Watch
Viewers can tune in live on ABC or stream via Disney+. A Disney+ and Hulu bundle starts at $12.99 per month with ads, giving access to every episode plus other streaming content. The show also airs simultaneously on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
The Stakes Rise After a Dramatic Premiere
Season 35 premiered on Sept. 15 and 16 with a two-night event that eliminated two couples: one male celebrity on night one and one female celebrity on night two. Among the first eliminated were Connor Leavitt, a "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star, and his pro partner Adele Zaikman. Zaikman, the winner of "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro," made her debut as a pro this season.
The remaining 14 couples include actresses Tatyana Ali and Julia Stiles, chef Giada De Laurentiis, actor Harry Shum Jr., and "The Traitors" breakout star Maura Higgins, who is paired with fellow Faithful Mark Ballas. Other contestants include Tyler Cameron, Jenna Dewan, Paralympian Ezra Frech, figure skater Amber Glenn, Hanson singer Taylor Hanson, reality star Ciara Miller, Sarah Jane Nader, "Savannah Bananas" star Jackson Olson, Jimmy Kimmel's sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez, and Connor Wood.
Returning as hosts are Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, with Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli judging. The season has already generated buzz for its ratings success; the premiere drew higher viewership than the Emmy Awards telecast, and the show earned its first Emmy nomination for Best Reality Competition in a decade.
The Ballroom's Unexpected Resurgence
"Dancing with the Stars" is experiencing a pop-culture renaissance in its 35th season. Once dismissed by some as a career graveyard for fading celebrities, the show has become a ratings powerhouse and a launchpad for contestants' careers. According to The Daily Beast, the premiere outrated the Emmys, and the show's ability to turn "who?" contestants into household names has renewed its relevance.
This season's cast reflects that trend, blending established names with viral personalities. The two-night premiere format and early double elimination added urgency, while the introduction of new pro Adele Zaikman from the spinoff "The Next Pro" injected fresh energy. As broadcast television faces declining viewership, "Dancing with the Stars" has emerged as one of the few unscripted hits still capable of generating widespread conversation.
Tonight's episode will test whether that momentum holds as all couples compete head-to-head for the first time. With no eliminations announced for this week, the competition is set to tighten ahead of future episodes. For now, the ballroom remains the place to be on Tuesday nights.
What's Next
Following tonight's "Viral Hits Night," the season will continue with themed episodes and further eliminations. Fans can expect more surprises as the 14 remaining couples vie for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. For those who missed the premiere, full episodes are available on Hulu and Disney+.
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