“Dancing With the Stars” is welcoming back a champion pro after five years away.
Sharna Burgess, 38, will return to the ballroom for Season 35, the former mirrorball winner confirmed in a social media video posted Aug. 24. “I’m back in the ballroom, baby,” she declared. Burgess also appeared on “Good Morning America,” where she added, “It feels so good to be coming home. I’ll see you all soon.”
The comeback announcement landed the same month that reigning champion Witney Carson, 31, revealed she too would compete while expecting her second child. Carson broke the news during her own “GMA” appearance earlier in August, telling viewers, “I am expecting. So I will be dancing with this little baby right here,” She continued, “Very excited, but would be lying if I said it wasn’t a little daunting. I’ve never been this far along [four months] pregnant and competing on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ before.” Carson claimed last season’s trophy alongside partner Robert Irwin.
ABC has confirmed several celebrities for the upcoming season even as the full cast remains under wraps. “Summer House” star Ciara Miller, 29, will compete, as will “Traitors” alum Maura Higgins, 34. Savannah Bananas entertainer Jackson Olson and Jimmy Kimmel’s longtime sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez are also locked in. Julia Stiles, the “Save the Last Dance” actress, is expected to join the lineup.
Rumored names still circulating without network confirmation include “Step Up” star Jenna Dewan, “Bachelor” veteran Tyler Cameron, model Sarah Jane Nader — younger sister of former contestant Brooks Nader — and Taylor Hanson of the ’90s pop group Hanson.
The complete Season 35 cast will be unveiled Wednesday, Sept. 2 on “Good Morning America.” One day prior, on Tuesday, Sept. 1, the network will announce the season’s judges and hosts during the same morning program. The judges’ panel and hosting duo from recent seasons — Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli judging, with Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro co-hosting — could return, though ABC has not confirmed.
A new professional dancer will also join the ranks through the spinoff “DWTS: The Next Pro.” The winner, chosen from finalists Selena Hamilton, Adele Zaikman and AJ Pritchard, will be revealed during the spinoff’s finale airing Monday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
The main competition kicks off with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 15 and Wednesday, Sept. 16, both airing at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. The show will then settle into its regular Tuesday night slot the following week, with episodes streaming next-day on Hulu.
The network has declined to address casting speculation ahead of the official reveals, maintaining its standard pre-season silence on unconfirmed names.