The ballroom is officially back for a new season! Dancing with the Stars Season 35 premiered this week with a brand-new group of celebrities, new partnerships, and A LOT of glitter. And if you’re a dancer watching the season, there are some contestants who are especially fun to keep an eye on. This season has everything from professional dancers and athletes to actors, influencers, musicians, reality stars, and even a Food Network icon. You are not going to want to miss this season!
Jenna Dewan
If you’ve ever seen Step Up, you already know why Jenna Dewan is one of the most notable names to watch. Before becoming an actor, Jenna was a professional dancer and backup dancer. She is now partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy, making this a pretty exciting combination for anyone who loves watching experienced dancers return to the ballroom. Pay attention to her musicality, performance quality, and ability to pick up choreography. It’s also interesting to watch how someone with a professional dance background adapts to ballroom technique and its unique challenges.
Harry Shum Jr.
Harry Shum Jr. is another contestant with a serious dance background. You might know him from Glee, Shadowhunters, Grey’s Anatomy, or Crazy Rich Asians, but dancing was also a seemingly big part of his life before acting. He’s partnered with Jenna Johnson this season. He’s especially interesting to watch because ballroom is a bit different from the styles he has trained and performed in before.
Amber Glenn
Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn is bringing a completely different kind of athletic background to the ballroom. She partnered with Pasha Pashkov, and her first-week cha-cha earned an 18 out of 30 from the judges. Watch how she uses balance, body control, lines, and performance skills developed through skating. Athletes have movement qualities that translate in interesting ways when they enter dance, and we’re seeing just that from Amber.
Maura Higgins
Reality star Maura Higgins is another contestant who immediately gives us something fun to watch. She’s partnered with Mark Ballas, and her first-week foxtrot scored 21 out of 30—the highest score of the second premiere night. Even if you don’t know much about ballroom, watching someone develop their confidence and performance style from week to week can be one of the most entertaining parts of the show.
Jackson Olson
If you’ve been on social media, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the Savannah Bananas. Jackson Olson, known for his work with the viral baseball team, is competing with Emma Slater. His background is interesting because he’s already used to performing in front of huge crowds and combining athletic movement with entertainment.
Julia Stiles
Julia Stiles might be one of the most exciting names for dancers who grew up watching early-2000s dance movies, like 10 Things I Hate About You. She’s partnered with Ezra Sosa, and of course, her connection to dance goes all the way back to Save the Last Dance. Her first-week quickstep was energetic, and it’ll be fun to see how her past connection to dance translates into learning ballroom choreography years later.
One of the coolest things about Dancing with the Stars is that there isn’t one type of person who belongs on the dance floor. This season’s cast proves that perfectly.
