Dancing with the Stars casting director Deena Katz discussed its approach to choosing celebrity contestants. The 76-year-old longtime casting director recalled a time when some celebrities joined the show after fading from the spotlight. She described it as “like a rehab for a career.”
Dancing with the Stars executive producer and casting director Deena Katz confessed past seasons felt like rehab for stalled careers
Speaking at the Television Academy’s Televerse Festival on August 15, she discussed how the ABC competition has regained popularity and noted that celebrity casting has changed since the show first premiered in 2005. The inaugural season had only six contestants.
Katz said, as reported by People, “I admit there were some seasons past where maybe it felt like people who have gone away, and it’s like a rehab for a career. And really, I think what we’re [not] missing is the relevance.”
Over 34 seasons, Dancing with the Stars has cast several controversial personalities seeking to rebuild their reputations. Ryan Lochte competed on Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars in 2016. He joined the show following the controversy surrounding his actions at the Rio Olympics. The controversy resulted in him losing several major sponsors.
Sean Spicer, the former White House press secretary who faced controversy during his time in Donald Trump’s administration, joined Season 28. Olivia Jade appeared on Season 30, two years after her mother, Lori Loughlin, was implicated in the USC admissions scandal involving Olivia and her sister.
In the recent conversation, Katz said relevance has become a key part of the show’s casting process. “You look at this season coming up, and I’m not going to say who’s on the season coming up, but there are so many people that have really big day jobs right now, and they’re taking a moment out of it, or while they’re doing it, to come on and do this,” she explained.
She pointed out that producers sometimes choose stars they personally like for their shows. However, Dancing with the Stars focuses on what its audience wants, she said. Executive producer Conrad Green said DWTS has become a place where viewers can discover celebrities from different parts of pop culture circles. He said the show brings these different groups together through their shared effort and positivity.
Season 35 of the show is set to premiere over two nights on September 15 and 16, 2026. Although the cast remains unannounced, confirmed stars include Summer House’s Ciara Miller, Love Island UK alum Maura Higgins, comedian Guillermo Rodriguez and Savannah Bananas player Jackson Olson.
