Dancing With the Stars Season 35: The Full List of Rumored and Confirmed Contestants

The shuffle of sequins and spray tans has officially begun, and while ABC is keeping its final card close to the chest, the rumor mill for “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35 is working overtime. According to a recent report from EntertainmentNow, a mix of confirmed personalities and speculated names is painting a picture of a season leaning heavily into nostalgia, reality TV royalty, and one very historic partnership. For an audience that dissects Hollywood’s public maneuvers, this cast list isn’t just about dance skills—it’s a carefully curated narrative play.

The Confirmed Cast and One Major Milestone

So far, the network has officially welcomed four celebrities to the ballroom. Joining the fray are “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” correspondent Guillermo Rodriguez, Savannah Bananas entertainer Jackson Olson, “Summer House” star Ciara Miller, and “Love Island UK” personality Maura Higgins. But the headline here is Rodriguez’s partner, pro dancer Witney Carson. She recently announced she’s pregnant and plans to compete, which would make her the first-ever “DWTS” pro to dance while expecting. As she told People, her stance is clear: “My plan is to, as long as the baby is healthy and as long as I’m doing well, then we will compete.” This move shifts the optics from pure competition to a powerful story of personal ambition and partnership, guaranteed to draw a specific kind of viewer investment.

The Rumor Mill: A Strategy in Speculation

Beyond the official quartet, paparazzi and industry whispers are filling the gaps. EntertainmentNow notes that recent reports suggest a roster leaning into specific audience demographics. There’s “Bachelor” Nation’s Tyler Cameron, reportedly signed but not yet announced. Then there’s Jenna Dewan, an ex-wife of a major star and a performer in her own right, which adds a layer of public narrative reclamation. The list stretches to include a model/content creator, a reality TV husband, and ’90s nostalgia acts like Tatyana Ali and Julia Stiles. If these names hold, the casting reads less like a random grab and more like a deliberate bid to span generations and fanbases—from TikTok users to millennials who grew up on “Fresh Prince.” This isn’t just filling slots; it’s casting a wide net for ratings, a classic play when viewership is fragmented.

What to Watch Before the Premiere

As we wait for the official announcements, a couple of strategic threads are worth monitoring. First, there’s the concurrent “DWTS: The Next Pro” spinoff, where paparazzi photos have already fueled winner speculation, showing how tightly the production controls its narrative—and how quickly it can unravel. More importantly for the main show’s storyline, each rumored celebrity brings a specific public baggage or brand goal. The choice to pair a comedian like Guillermo with a history-making pro isn’t accidental. It suggests this season may prioritize heartwarming, shareable moments over pure technical perfection—a reflection of what resonates in today’s media climate, where global economic uncertainty often fuels a hunger for escapist, feel-good content.

Ultimately, until ABC speaks, this remains a tapestry of speculation. But the clues point to a season engineered for conversation, built around comeback stories, relatable pairings, and a few nostalgic hooks. For the audience watching the Hollywood machine at work, the real show is already in the casting call.