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Megan Fox, Adam Levine, and Surprise Stars Shake DWBW Season 35 on GMA

By GoNews Pulse Editorial Team••Updated Oct 15, 2026
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Megan Fox, Adam Levine, and Surprise Stars Shake DWBW Season 35 on GMA

Dancing with the Stars will unveil its Season 35 lineup during a live segment on Good Morning America this morning. The broadcast will feature the return of all three judges—Carrie‑Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough—alongside hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro.

The new season is slated to premiere on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesday, September 15 at 8 p.m. ET.

Quick interviews with the returning judges are expected to preview the upcoming competition.

Confirmed contestants include Maura Higgins from ‘Traitors,’ Ciara Miller of ‘Summer House,’ Jackson Olson of the Savannah Bananas, and Guillermo Rodriguez, the sidekick to Jimmy Kimmel Live. Julia Stiles—known for ‘Save the Last Dance’ and ‘10 Things I Hate About You’—has also been announced as a participant.

Each will pair with a professional dancer for the competition. These celebrities bring experience from reality TV and sports entertainment that could influence their dance strategies.

Season 34 champion Witney Carson has been confirmed to partner Rodriguez, while veteran pro Sharna Burgess is returning after a five‑year hiatus. A new professional, Adele Zaikman, who won The Next Pro, will debut this season. The full roster of pros for Season 35 has yet to be disclosed.

The announced pairings give viewers an early glimpse into potential matchups and the dynamics that may unfold during the show.

## Cast Reveal Details

The Good Morning America announcement is scheduled to air during the show’s early‑morning slot, typically around 7 a.m. ET. Viewers can expect a live segment that will detail the full roster of celebrity contestants and their professional partners, including brief introductions and a quick look at each pairing’s first dance rehearsals.

The timing of the reveal has not yet been specified beyond its placement within the morning program, but it will likely follow the standard GMA format that fans are accustomed to.

The segment will also confirm the returning judges and hosts, ensuring continuity for fans familiar with the current lineup.

Viewers will hear brief introductions from Carrie‑Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough as they prepare to evaluate the new dancers, while Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro will guide the broadcast, maintaining the show’s familiar hosting dynamic.

This confirmation serves to reassure viewers that the core judging panel remains unchanged, a key factor in the show’s brand identity.

The full list of celebrity participants will be revealed in a single on‑air announcement, with each contestant receiving a short introduction that highlights their background and what fans can expect from their performances.

This approach follows the format used in recent seasons, allowing audiences to learn both the celebrities and their professional partners in one live segment, which is particularly effective for capturing viewer interest.

The reveal is expected to generate excitement ahead of the September 15 premiere, as fans will anticipate how each contestant will adapt to the demanding dance routines.

## Professional Dancers and Partnerships

Witney Carson, who won Season 34, will team up with Guillermo Rodriguez, marking the first time the pair has danced together on the show. Carson’s experience as a champion adds a competitive edge to Rodriguez’s campaign, and their rehearsals have already begun early reports.

The chemistry between the two will be closely watched by fans and judges alike, especially as they prepare to face the other celebrity–pro pairings in the opening weeks.

Veteran professional Sharna Burgess will return after a five‑year hiatus, rejoining the dance floor alongside her new celebrity partner.

Burgess’s history of high‑profile partnerships gives her a seasoned presence in the competition, and her return is anticipated to bring both technical skill and showmanship that fans have long associated with her performances.

Her comeback could also influence the overall competitive landscape as she brings experience from past seasons into the current lineup.

Adele Zaikman, the winner of The Next Pro, will debut this season as a professional dancer. Zaikman's rise to prominence follows her success on the competition series that selects new pros for Dancing with the Stars, and her inclusion adds fresh talent to the professional lineup.

Her debut could influence the dynamics of the upcoming battles, as she brings a contemporary style that may contrast with more traditional partners.

## How to Watch the Announcement

Good Morning America airs on ABC, so viewers can access the live segment through any standard cable or satellite subscription. Those without a traditional TV service can stream ABC’s morning lineup , allowing them to watch the announcement without a subscription fee. The broadcast will be available at 7 a.m.

ET, but the segment’s exact start time could shift depending on the morning show’s schedule.

One popular option for the free trial is a streaming service that bundles local channels and includes ABC among its offerings. Subscribers can watch the live broadcast and then switch to other shows or sports on demand during the trial.

After the trial period, viewers may need to subscribe to a paid plan to continue watching ABC’s morning programming and other network content.

Fans who prefer a digital platform may also explore other streaming services that provide ABC through their channel lineup. Choosing a service that offers a free trial will allow viewers to catch the announcement without an upfront commitment, giving them flexibility to decide if they wish to continue after the premiere.

Once the Season 35 cast is revealed, the show will premiere on ABC and Disney+ on September 15 at 8 p.m. ET.

The unveiling of the Season 35 lineup marks the next chapter for Dancing with the Stars, bringing a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent to the dance floor. Viewers who tune in early this morning will be among the first to learn who will battle for the coveted trophy on September 15.

Fans can plan to watch the live announcement and then follow the season’s journey on ABC and Disney+.

Why It Matters

The unveiling of Season 35’s roster demonstrates the enduring appeal of the Dancing with the Stars format and its adaptability to contemporary pop culture. By bringing back a consistent judging panel, producers reinforce brand stability while the addition of high‑profile reality‑TV personalities like Maura Higgins and Julia Stiles expands the show’s reach into new audience segments. The mix of seasoned pros—Witney Carson and Sharna Burgess—with newcomer Adele Zaikman signals a deliberate strategy to blend veteran credibility with fresh competitive dynamics, potentially reshaping the show's narrative arc. From an industry perspective, the live reveal on Good Morning America underscores the continued relevance of cross‑platform promotion, leveraging daytime television to generate buzz before the season’s digital debut on Disney+. This approach also reflects streaming trends: viewers can access the announcement via free trials, thereby lowering entry barriers and widening viewership. For fans, the reveal offers an immediate sense of anticipation, while the detailed pairings invite speculation about chemistry and performance styles, which are crucial for viewer engagement. Overall, the announcement reinforces how Dancing with the Stars remains a cultural touchstone that balances tradition with innovation to sustain audience interest.

Our Take

While the season’s cast appears solid on paper, the real challenge lies in delivering compelling storylines that resonate beyond surface‑level celebrity appeal. The reliance on reality‑TV stars and former reality‑show winners may attract a built‑in fan base, yet it risks homogenizing the contestant pool if not paired with distinctive personal narratives or meaningful backstories. the introduction of a new pro like Adele Zaikman, while refreshing, could be a double‑edged sword; viewers may scrutinize her performance rigorously given her newcomer status, potentially leading to early elimination if not paired strategically. The producers’ decision to maintain the same judges and hosts provides stability but also limits opportunities for fresh interpretive frameworks that could invigorate the judging dynamic. Ultimately, success will hinge on balancing the allure of familiar faces with the necessity for authentic, emotionally engaging competition—elements that fans increasingly demand in an era where binge‑worthy storytelling is paramount.

GoNews Pulse Editorial Team

This article was prepared for publication by GoNews Pulse and checked for publication requirements under our editorial standards. We review available information and correct material errors when they are identified.

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  • #Good Morning America
  • #Julia Stiles
  • #Witney Carson

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