Dancing with the Stars – Season 34 Cast, Judges, Voting Guide
The 34th season of Dancing with the Stars premiered September 16, 2025, marking two decades of celebrity ballroom competition on American television. Broadcasting simultaneously on ABC and Disney+, this anniversary season concluded December 2, 2025, with thirteen celebrity-professional pairs competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returned to host the proceedings, while judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli evaluated performances weekly. The format paired public figures ranging from Olympic athletes to reality television stars with professional ballroom dancers, combining technical judging scores with public voting to determine eliminations.
ABC revealed the complete cast during a September 3, 2025, appearance on Good Morning America, generating significant anticipation for the 20th anniversary installment of the competition series.
Who Is in the Dancing with the Stars Cast?
- Thirteen celebrity-professional pairs competed during the anniversary season
- The full cast announcement occurred September 3, 2025, on Good Morning America
- Wildlife advocate Robert Irwin and social media personality Alix Earle reached the finals
- Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles secured third place in the competition
- Two cast members from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives joined the celebrity roster
- Mark Ballas returned to compete professionally following his season 31 victory
- Jan Ravnik debuted as a professional after performing as a backup dancer on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour
| Celebrity | Notability | Professional Partner | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baron Davis | NBA point guard | Britt Stewart | Eliminated 1st/2nd (Sep 23) |
| Corey Feldman | Actor | Jenna Johnson | Eliminated 1st/2nd (Sep 23) |
| Lauren Jauregui | Fifth Harmony singer | Brandon Armstrong | Eliminated 3rd (Sep 30) |
| Hilaria Baldwin | Yoga instructor/podcaster | Gleb Savchenko | Eliminated 4th (Oct 7) |
| Scott Hoying | Pentatonix singer | Rylee Arnold | Eliminated 5th (Oct 21) |
| Jen Affleck | The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives | Jan Ravnik | 9th place (Oct 28) |
| Danielle Fishel | Boy Meets World actress | Pasha Pashkov | Eliminated 7th (Nov 4) |
| Andy Richter | Actor/comedian | Emma Slater | Eliminated 8th (Nov 11) |
| Whitney Leavitt | The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives | Mark Ballas | Eliminated 9th (Nov 18) |
| Elaine Hendrix | Actress | Alan Bersten | 5th place (Nov 25) |
| Dylan Efron | Reality TV star | Daniella Karagach | 4th place (Nov 25) |
| Jordan Chiles | Olympic gymnast | Ezra Sosa | 3rd place (Nov 25) |
| Robert Irwin | Wildlife advocate | Witney Carson | Finalist |
| Alix Earle | Social media star | Val Chmerkovskiy | Finalist |
Source: Wikipedia, ABC News, Good Housekeeping
Who Are the Dancing with the Stars Judges?
The Current Judging Panel
Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli comprised the judging panel for season 34. Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli have served as judges since the show’s inception in 2005. Derek Hough transitioned from professional dancer to judge beginning with season 29, bringing six previous championship wins to his evaluation perspective.
The Trophy Namesake
Competitors vied for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, named in honor of the late head judge who died in 2023. Video documentation confirms that while the trophy bears his name, Goodman did not participate in judging during season 34.
Derek Hough holds the record for most wins as a professional dancer on the series before assuming his judging role, having secured six Mirrorball Trophies during his competitive tenure.
How Does Dancing with the Stars Voting Work?
Viewer Participation Methods
Audience members influenced competition outcomes through multiple voting channels. Voting occurred via mobile application, official website, and text messaging during and immediately following live broadcasts.
Scoring and Elimination
The elimination system combined quantitative judge scores with qualitative viewer votes. Each week, the pair receiving the lowest composite score—calculated from the judges’ technical evaluations and public support—exited the competition.
Voting remained open during the live broadcast window and for a limited period following the show’s conclusion, allowing West Coast viewers to participate simultaneously with East Coast broadcasts.
Where to Watch Dancing with the Stars Live or Streaming?
Broadcast and Simulcast
Season 34 marked the first time an unscripted ABC series maintained simultaneous live distribution on both network television and streaming platforms. Episodes aired live on ABC while streaming concurrently on Disney+.
Streaming Availability
Disney+ carried the live broadcasts as part of its expanding reality television catalog. Viewers seeking similar content might explore the Best Series on Disney Plus for additional viewing options. The platform secured renewal rights for the 2025-26 schedule, ensuring continued availability for future seasons.
Live streaming on Disney+ required an active subscription with no additional pay-per-view fees, though regional availability varied based on local ABC affiliate broadcasting rights.
Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Timeline
- : Robert Irwin announced as first celebrity participant
- : Alix Earle confirmed for the cast
- : Jen Affleck and Whitney Leivitt from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives announced
- : Hilaria Baldwin confirmed
- : Full cast of 13 pairs revealed on Good Morning America
- : Season premiere on ABC and Disney+
- : Baron Davis and Corey Feldman eliminated
- : Semifinals determined final placements; Jordan Chiles secured third place
- : Season finale aired
Source: Cosmopolitan, ABC
What Is Confirmed About Dancing with the Stars Season 34?
Established Facts
- Premiere: September 16, 2025; Finale: December 2, 2025
- Hosts: Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough
- Judges: Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli
- Thirteen competing pairs with documented elimination order
- Simultaneous ABC and Disney+ broadcast
- Voting via app, website, and text messaging
Information Not Available
- Specific winner of the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy for season 34
- Ticket availability and pricing for live tapings
- 2026 live tour dates or locations
- Confirmation of season 35 casting or premiere dates
How Did Dancing with the Stars Become a Cultural Phenomenon?
The American adaptation of the British series Strictly Come Dancing debuted in 2005, establishing a format that pairs celebrities with professional ballroom dancers in weekly elimination competitions. Over twenty years, the program evolved from a summer replacement series into a flagship ABC franchise, surviving multiple network scheduling changes and the transition to streaming distribution.
The show’s longevity stems from its hybrid appeal combining athletic competition with entertainment industry glamour. Unlike pure talent competitions, Dancing with the Stars requires participants to master technical skills outside their primary expertise, creating narrative arcs of improvement and struggle. This format influenced subsequent reality competitions, including dating shows like Love Island Season 12, which similarly leverage audience participation to determine outcomes.
The 2025 season commemorated this two-decade milestone by returning to simultaneous broadcast and streaming distribution, acknowledging shifting viewer habits while maintaining the live theatrical elements that distinguish ballroom dance from pre-recorded reality formats.
What Do Official Sources Say About Dancing with the Stars?
ABC’s official documentation confirms the network’s commitment to the franchise through the 2025-26 television season. Casting records verify the thirteen pairings and their professional assignments, while independent entertainment reporting corroborates specific elimination timing for several contestants.
Good Housekeeping’s reporting independently verified the judging panel composition and noted Derek Hough’s transition from six-time champion professional to judge. Wikipedia’s season-specific entry aggregates broadcast dates, casting announcements, and weekly elimination results with inline citations to primary sources.
Key Takeaways About Dancing with the Stars Season 34
Season 34 commemorated the show’s 20th anniversary with a thirteen-couple competition running from September through December 2025. The simultaneous ABC and Disney+ broadcast model represented a significant distribution evolution for unscripted network television. While Jordan Chiles secured third place and Robert Irwin and Alix Earle reached the finals, specific winner details remain unconfirmed in available documentation. Viewers interested in similar reality programming can explore the Best Series on Disney Plus for additional streaming options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dancing with the Stars?
Dancing with the Stars is an American dance competition television series where celebrities pair with professional ballroom dancers to compete in weekly elimination rounds based on judge scores and viewer votes.
How many seasons of Dancing with the Stars have aired?
Thirty-four seasons have aired as of December 2025, beginning with the original premiere in 2005.
What is the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy?
The trophy is named after the late Len Goodman, who served as head judge from the show’s inception until 2022. Winners receive this award as recognition of their victory.
Is there a difference between Dancing with the Stars US and Ireland?
The American version airs on ABC and Disney+, while international versions operate under separate production companies and broadcasting networks. No direct comparison information is available regarding specific format differences.
How are professional dancers assigned to celebrities?
Production matches professionals with celebrities based on height, personality compatibility, and dance experience prior to the season premiere. Some switches occurred during week 9 of season 34.
When did Dancing with the Stars first premiere?
The series debuted on ABC in 2005, adapting the format from the British show Strictly Come Dancing.
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