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ABC Announces DWTS 35 Contestants, Launches The Next Pro

4/23/2026

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Summary

ABC Announces Contestants

ABC announced stars Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins as the first two contestants for season 35 of Dancing with the Stars.
Season 35 will premiere this fall on ABC and Disney+, with Hulu streaming, while The Next Pro launches July 13 on ABC and Hulu.
Season 34 logged 72 million finale votes and nearly half-billion overall.
The Next Pro will feature 12 dancers judged by Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas and hosted by Robert Irwin.

Summary

Higgins, Miller Join

Hulu announced Higgins and Miller as Dancing with the Stars contestants on April 22, 2026.
Higgins said a Birkin bag from Rob Rausch would make her feel she won The Traitors, calling it an apology.
Miller, a former nurse and livestream host, said she studied ballet for ten years and hopes Val Chmerkovskiy will partner her.
Miller added that her ex-boyfriend West Wilson is now dating her friend Amanda Batula.

History

Historical Context

"Dancing with the Stars" premiered on June 1, 2005, on ABC, adapting the British show "Strictly Come Dancing." The series pairs celebrities with professional dancers, engaging audiences through competitive voting. By its 34th season, it garnered 72 million votes in the finale, reflecting its significant cultural impact and the entertainment industry's shift towards interactive viewer participation, now also streaming on platforms like Disney+.

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ABC Announces Contestants

ABC announced stars Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins as the first two contestants for season 35 of Dancing with the Stars.
Season 35 will premiere this fall on ABC and Disney+, with Hulu streaming, while The Next Pro launches July 13 on ABC and Hulu.
Season 34 logged 72 million finale votes and nearly half-billion overall.
The Next Pro will feature 12 dancers judged by Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas and hosted by Robert Irwin.

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