Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars is already building buzz with its first confirmed contestants: Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins. The pair, both well-known from reality TV, will hit the ballroom when the show returns this fall on ABC, with streaming available on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.
Higgins, who gained international attention on Love Island and later appeared on The Traitors, shared that joining “DWTS” has been a long-time goal. “I manifested it really hard. It’s on my vision board,” she said, noting she even passed on similar opportunities abroad to stay available for the U.S. version. “I turned down anything that would jeopardize ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in America,” she added. Despite joking about having “two left feet,” she plans to conserve her energy before rehearsals begin.
Miller, known for Summer House and a recent wave of personal headlines, expressed her excitement in a video message after missing the official announcement event. “I wanted to be there. I wish I could be there, but I had some unfinished business in New York that I need to wrap up,” she said. “But I am so excited to join Season 35… I can’t wait to put my energy on the dance floor.” She has also spoken openly about her appreciation for reality television, saying, “I’m always grateful and thankful for reality TV,” crediting it with personal growth and life opportunities.
While the rest of the celebrity lineup and pro pairings are still under wraps, fans can expect more announcements soon. Familiar faces are also returning behind the scenes. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are set to co-host once again, while judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli return to the panel.
In addition to the main competition, ABC is expanding the franchise. Season 34 champion Robert Irwin will host a new spin-off, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. The summer series will follow 12 aspiring dancers living together and competing through intense auditions for a coveted professional spot on the upcoming season. Judges for the spin-off include pro Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley Ballas.
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