Dancing with the Stars is set to return for its 34th season this fall, with a lineup of celebrity contestants and familiar judges. The show will be hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, with Julianne Hough as co-host. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough will also return to the panel. The full cast will be revealed on Good Morning America, a tradition for the series.

The season is scheduled to premiere on September 16, 2025. While the exact date is confirmed, the show typically begins in mid to late September. The first celebrity contestant announced is Robert Irwin, the son of the late Steve Irwin. At 21, Robert is a wildlife conservationist and TV personality. He expressed his excitement about joining the show, stating, "This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid watching my sister’s incredible journey on the show back in 2016. I cannot believe it is about to become a reality. So grateful."

Hough praised Irwin, saying, "Her brother is equally as awesome as she is!" In addition to Irwin, influencer Alix Earle was confirmed as a contestant. During her appearance on Good Morning America, Earle shared her enthusiasm, saying, "I mean, I’ve always been a fan of Dancing With the Stars. I used to watch it when I was so young with my grandma. When this opportunity came to me, it was like, ‘What can I do next? Where can I take this?’ I mean, I’m ready to challenge myself, I think it’s gonna be a lot of fun. It was a very obvious answer to say yes."

Other contestants include Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt from Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The complete cast of celebrities and professional dancers will be announced closer to the premiere date.

Dancing with the Stars Season 34 will air live on ABC and stream simultaneously on Disney+. Episodes will also be available for next-day streaming on Hulu. Last season, Charity Lawson, known for her time on The Bachelorette, won the mirrorball trophy alongside pro partner Artem Chigvintsev.

As the premiere date approaches, excitement is building for the new season, which promises fresh talent and memorable performances.