Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars is ready to salsa onto our screens. With the new season almost upon us, fans have been excited to find out who would be competing in the ballroom. The dynamic duo of Alfonso Ribeiro and former DWTS pro dancer and judge, Julianne Hough, is back to host the party.
In addition, all three judges are once again ready to raise their paddles. Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough are back at the judges’ table. Of course, this season is special for Derek, as he and his wife, dancer Hayley Erbert, are expecting their first child.
The DWTS cast this season is diverse, and some of the casting rumors were right on the money. Others, not so much. Still, we have reality stars, singers, athletes, and the big return of a beloved pro. Plus, a new dancing pro will be waltzing into the ballroom for Season 34. So, grab your best sequinned outfit and let’s take a look at our DWTS Season 34 cast breakdown and predictions.
The DWTS Season 34 cast has been revealed
Some DWTS competitors were announced over the summer. Conservationist Robert Irwin signed on, and his roots with DWTS run deep. His sister, Bindi Irwin, took home the Mirrorball in Season 21 with Derek. Plus, influencer Alix Earle also joined, ready to give us some behind-the-scenes details. In addition, two cast members from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck, are thrilled to show off their TikTok moves in the ballroom.
Now, we know the identity of the rest of the cast. We have two athletes in the mix. NBA All-Star Baron Davis is ready to take the ballroom by storm, along with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles. TLC reality star and author Hilaria Baldwin, who is married to actor Alec Baldwin, will also be quick-stepping into the ballroom. Plus, Dylan Efron, the winner of Season 3 of The Traitors, may not have dance experience, but he is highly competitive.
Actor and musician Corey Feldman and actress Elaine Hendrix are both seeking to make their mark in the ballroom. And Boy Meets World alum Danielle Fishel is excited to enter the world of ballroom dance.
Meanwhile, actor and comedian Andy Richter will bring plenty of humor to Season 34 of DWTS. He was also Conan O’Brien’s trusty sidekick for years. And rounding out the cast are two competitors known for their singing talent. Scott Hoying, the founder of a cappella group Pentatonix, will put on his dancing shoes, as will Lauren Jauregui of Fifth Harmony. It seems like DWTS has someone for every viewer to cheer for.
Which pro dancers are returning for Dancing with the Stars Season 34?
DWTS fans were given an incredible slate of returning pros. Some were surprises (we see you, Mark Ballas!) while some are brand new to the show. After all, it is the chemistry and partnership between the couples that brings the ballroom to life.
Daniella Karagach will be hitting the floor with Dylan, and Witney Carson is partnering with Robert. Alan Bersten is paired with Elaine, and Andy was blessed with Emma Slater. So far, I like these pairings.
Alix is dancing with Val Chmerkovskiy, while his wife, reigning champ Jenna Johnson, is dancing with Corey. Pro Brandon Armstrong, who is in the hunt for his first Mirrorball, is partnered with Lauren. And Jordan will be ready to rumba with Ezra Sosa.
Meanwhile, Scott is dancing with Rylee Arnold, and Baron will be tripping the light fantastic with Britt Stewart. Britt recently tied the knot with Daniel Durant, her partner from Season 31. I love how DWTS makes love connections.
In a surprising turn of events, Gleb Savchenko is dancing with Hilaria. He previously announced that he was not returning for Season 34 of DWTS. In addition, Mark is dancing with Whitney. He officially retired from dancing with celebrities, so I am excited that he is back and will be showing off his genius in the ballroom. And Pasha Pashkov is partnered with Danielle.
In addition, DWTS welcomed a new pro. While Jan Ravnik may be new to the ballroom, he is a seasoned professional. He was Taylor Swift’s back-up dancer on The Eras Tour. Jan is paired with Jen, so that is an interesting match. Will there be a counter in their choreography as a nod to Jen’s TikTok dances?
Our top DWTS Season 34 predictions
Here is where I humbly admit that making predictions this early is tough. Fans haven’t seen the DWTS cast hit the floor yet with their partners. However, I think it is a given that Andy will light up the ballroom with his infectious spirit. I feel like both Whitney and Jen have a genuine love of dance, so if they can learn the ballroom techniques, they could go far.
Robert is a fan favorite already, and competing in DWTS is his dream. I think that he will rise in the competition, possibly even gracing the finals. Baron seems to have a huge personality, which is always a crowd-pleaser.
Meanwhile, I have a feeling that Dylan, because of his love of competition and athletics, will be a strong competitor. In addition, Jordan will likewise be laser-focused on taking home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. She is used to the grind of competing and physical competition. I think that Hilaria, as a yogi, will most likely bring both strength and grace to her dance routines. It remains to be seen if she will be comfortable performing in front of a live audience.
gSeason 34 of DWTS has quite a few cast members with zero dance experience. Watching the competitors’ growth as dancers will no doubt be engaging and sometimes emotional for fans.
Dancing with the Stars is available to stream on Disney+.
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