Dancing with the stars

Dancing with the Stars is an American dance competition television series that premiered on ABC on June 1, 2005. It is based on the British show Strictly Come Dancing. In each season, celebrities are paired with professional dancers and perform different dance styles to earn points from the judges and votes from viewers.

The competition combines judges’ scores with audience votes to determine which couples advance and which are eliminated. Ultimately, the remaining finalists compete for the Mirrorball Trophy.

The show continues to air on ABC and stream on Disney+. Its 35th season premiered in September 2026, marking another year of celebrity performances, professional choreography and weekly eliminations.

Cast Members of Dancing With the Stars

Hosts

Over the years, Dancing with the Stars has had several hosts. Tom Bergeron hosted the show from its premiere in 2005 until 2020. Alfonso Ribeiro later joined the hosting team and became a co-host in Season 31.

For Season 35 in 2026, Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough serve as co-hosts. Hough previously competed as a professional dancer and later served as a judge before returning as a host. Together, they guide viewers through the performances, results and special events each season.

Judging panel

The regular judges for the show are:

  • Len Goodman (head Judge)
  • Carrie Ann Inaba
  • Bruno Tonioli

Goodman was absent for much of season 19, all of season 21, and much of season 23 and Julianne Hough was added as a full-time judge on the panel for three seasons after having to be a guest judge in the previous two seasons but did not return for season 22. Several other former contestants appeared as judges various seasons of the show like:

  • Hélio Castroneves
  • Mel B
  • Drew Lachey
  • Gilles Marini
  • Kelly Osbourne
  • Emmitt Smith.

The judging panel evaluates each couple’s technique, timing, choreography and overall performance. The current judges for Season 35 are:

  • Carrie Ann Inaba
  • Bruno Tonioli
  • Derek Hough

Inaba and Tonioli have been judges since the show’s first season. Hough joined the judging panel in Season 29 after years of competing as a professional dancer. Their scores help determine each couple’s standing, alongside votes from viewers.

Celebrities’ appearances on Dancing with the Stars

Several celebrities have also appeared on the show as the fourth judge or in absence of the main judge. Some of them are:

  • Paula Abdul
  • Donnie Burns
  • Nick Carter
  • Cher
  • Maksim Chmerkovskiy
  • Michael Flatley
  • Kevin Hart
  • Jessie J
  • Rashad Jennings
  • Baz Luhrmann
  • Ricky Martin
  • Idina Menzel
  • Abby Lee Miller
  • Mandy Moore
  • Olivia Newton-John
  • Kenny Ortega
  • Donny Osmond
  • Pitbull
  • Redfoo
  • Alfonso Ribeiro
  • Robin Roberts
  • David Ross
  • Shania Twain
  • Zendaya.

Couples of Dancing with the Stars

Throughout its run, Dancing with the Stars has paired celebrities from entertainment, sports, music and other fields with professional ballroom dancers. Each couple learns and performs choreographed routines every week, with the aim of earning high judges’ scores and enough audience votes to remain in the competition.

The show continues to introduce new celebrity contestants and professional dance partners each season. Season 35, which premiered in September 2026, features a new group of celebrities competing for the Mirrorball Trophy.