‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 34 Cast Revealed, Sparking Mixed Reactions

A new group of celebrities is heading to the ballroom as “Dancing With the Stars” returns for its 34th season — and the internet wasted no time reacting to the newly revealed lineup.

As reported by ABC News, the full cast was revealed on Wednesday during an appearance on “Good Morning America.” The season premieres Tuesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.

This season’s cast includes Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, actor Corey Feldman, television personality Danielle Fishel, and author and wellness figure Hilaria Baldwin.

Also competing are former NBA All-Star Baron Davis, singer Lauren Jauregui, comedian Andy Richter, and actress Elaine Hendrix, known for her role in the 1998 remake of “The Parent Trap.”

Additional contestants include digital creator Dylan Efron, social media personality Alix Earle, and wildlife advocate Robert Irwin, the younger brother of former “DWTS” champion Bindi Irwin.

Rounding out the cast are Grammy-winning Pentatonix member Scott Hoying and reality television participants Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, featured on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

However, the spotlight quickly shifted from the official announcement to fiery fan reaction, with social media platforms lighting up in real time.

On Facebook, one user scoffed, “Baldwin wife? The name of the show is, ‘dancing with the stars’ [sic].” Another chimed in, “Now we know why Hilaria was dancing all the time in her videos 😂 Between her book, her podcast and this – she’s telling her husband move the hell over.”

Over on Reddit, reactions ranged from baffled to thrilled. “this is kind of a wild a cast. i was originally going to tune just for the mormon wives (Whitney with long hair is tripping me out, i can’t compute it’s her. she looks sort of like holland roden) but it looks there’s some more here to be entertained by [sic],” someone else admitted.

Another wrote, “Maybe Robert can take home the win like his sister?” while another declared, “Unless he’s a terrible dancer, Im [sic] predicting Robert Irwin for the win.”

But not everyone was so supportive. “Isn’t it cheating when Hilaria is a former competitive dancer?” one commenter asked. Another said, “Didn’t she claim to be a professional dancer so that would have disqualified her participation?”

Some viewers expressed surprise over familiar names joining the competition. “Why did I think Danielle Fishel had already done DWTS??? Regardless I was watching this season for Robert and now I’m definitely looking forward to more of these pairings!” one fan posted.

Each celebrity will be partnered with a professional dancer, including returning pros Val Chmerkovskiy, Emma Slater, Witney Carson, and Mark Ballas.

Among the partnerships already drawing buzz is Irwin’s pairing with Carson. In an interview with People, Irwin revealed the touching backstory that made their reunion so meaningful.

“Well, I’ve known Witney for 10 years. Like, technically, I first met Witney only briefly, but when I was like a little tiny kid, so I was just so stoked,” Irwin explained.

For him, being paired with Carson was more than just a casting choice. Seeing her again brought a wave of safety and reassurance, fueling his excitement as he prepared to take on the competition.

And Irwin isn’t the only one making headlines. Judge Derek Hough himself has singled out another duo to watch: Hoying and Arnold. Speaking to E!, the pair were visibly thrilled and a little stunned by the high praise. Arnold confessed she “got chills” at Hough’s words, while Hoying admitted he was “obsessed” with the recognition.

Their chemistry was instant, Arnold explained, describing how their friendship blossomed from the very first meeting. “I mean, I feel like immediately we just became besties,” she said. For her, joy is the secret ingredient: when partners are truly having fun, that energy radiates outward, pulling the audience in.

Hoying couldn’t agree more, pointing to even the smallest moments that confirmed their connection. “When I walked in, I like, we know the same TikTok sounds and like memes. And I was like ‘apple?’ And she was like, ‘it’s good,’ from ‘Enchanted.’ And I was like, we’re gonna be friends. That’s all you need to know,” he stated.

The stakes are higher than ever this year. The series, first launched in 2005, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. According to TV Insider, last season’s finale had 6.36 million viewers, the biggest audience in four years, and shattered voting records with an astounding 32 million ballots cast.

For Hough, a six-time Mirrorball champion turned judge, those figures speak volumes. “We are thriving in 2025 as the premier dance entertainment family show, what’s more to say?” he declared proudly, emphasizing how each season still feels fresh thanks to the show’s ability to deliver both triumphs and heartbreak.

Fellow judge Bruno Tonioli echoed the same sense of renewal, confessing, “It feels like it’s the first time I do it every time. You feel it when you come to the studio. You feel it because everyone is on the same page. We are all there to give you the best possible show we can deliver. And it always happens.”

Like Tonioli, co-judge Carrie Ann Inaba stressed that the show is about inspiring people and being relatable. She noted that just getting on the dance floor is already a win.

She also honored the memory of the late ballroom dancer Len Goodman, “As we head into our 20th year, Len Goodman’s spirit will be there, even into the 30th, and 40th, and 50th.”

That passion extends beyond the judges’ table. The show’s host, Julianne Hough, a former professional dancer who took on hosting duties in 2023, explained her mission with heartfelt sincerity. She said, “As a host, my job is to [make sure] everyone else feels like they have the space to shine and connect with the audience.”

Her co-host, Alfonso Ribeiro, agreed, highlighting the effortless rapport that helps keep the show running smoothly. “[Julianne and I] have a second language where we don’t even need to say things,” Ribeiro said. “We recognize the comedic moment and don’t feel the need to rush.”

Season 34 follows the memorable November 2024 finale, when “Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei and professional dancer Jenna Johnson won the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

It’s worth remembering that the finale delivered one of the most talked-about outcomes. As previously reported, Graziadei and Johnson claimed the coveted trophy — yet the glittering victory has left fans fiercely divided.

Graziadei became the first-ever “Bachelor” star to win the show, outlasting Olympic rugby powerhouse Ilona Maher and her partner Alan Bersten in a nail-biting finale that had audiences holding their breath.

Koko Iwasaki and real estate mogul Mauricio Umansky came in fifth, followed by Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold in fourth. Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong claimed third place. Maher and Alan Bersten finished as runners-up.

As confetti rained down on his victory, a visibly emotional Graziadei called the experience “unbelievable.” He said, “Honestly, everyone from the beginning, Ilona, you have an amazing this season. I love you, all the finalists in it, the judges — thank you for bearing with us, I tried my best, I promise!”

But despite his heartfelt words, the triumph has ignited a storm of debate. Critics questioned whether his performances truly outshone a season stacked with extraordinary talent.

The finale spotlighted two high-stakes routines from Graziadei and Johnson. First came their redemption Cha Cha to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” which won over the judges spectacularly. Judge Hough reacted, “That was a punctuation mark, letting everybody know that you are a top contender on this show.”

For their freestyle, Johnson wove Graziadei’s love of tennis into a high-energy performance set to “Canned Heat” by District 78 ft. Jake Simpson. Featuring illuminated rackets and daring lifts, the inventive routine impressed with ambition if not with execution.

Hough praised Graziadei as a “true leading man,” adding, “You were show stopping, show stopper this whole season. That just was a perfect moment as well.” Still, the judges handed down a 29/30, reflecting some hesitation.

Viewers at home weren’t shy about voicing their opinions online. Many sided with Inaba, saying the freestyle failed to live up to the hype. “I agree with Carrie Ann. It wasn’t bad…I was just expecting so much more. I was not wowed at all,” someone else shared.

Another wrote, “For once in my entire life I agree with Carrie Ann …. I was underwhelmed. I had high hopes for his freestyle. 😞” Some viewers also described Graziadei and Johnson’s performance as “repetitive.”

Others expressed fury over the outcome. “I’m happy that the best male dancer won. But sad, angry, and disappointed that the best dancer of this season did not win,” a different viewer commented.

Still, Graziadei’s supporters rallied behind him, praising his remarkable transformation across the season. Many pointed to his journey from a beginner to a top contender, insisting that his growth, consistency, and undeniable chemistry with Johnson made him the rightful Mirrorball champion.