Dancing with the Stars American TV series is one of the most recognizable celebrity dance competitions on television. The show takes famous personalities, pairs them with professional dancers, and puts them through weeks of ballroom and Latin dance performances—with judges' scores and viewer votes determining who stays and who goes.
But there is much more to Dancing with the Stars than sequins, dramatic scores and the famous Mirrorball Trophy.
Here is the simple guide to the Dancing with the Stars American TV series, including how it works, when it started, who hosts and judges it, where to watch it, and what to know about Season 35.
What Is Dancing with the Stars?
Dancing with the Stars is an American reality television dance competition that premiered on ABC on June 1, 2005.
The basic idea is simple:
Celebrities + professional dancers + live performances + judges + viewer votes = Dancing with the Stars.
Each celebrity is partnered with a professional dancer. Together, they learn and perform different dance styles while competing against the other couples.
The performances are evaluated by the show's judges, while viewers also have a say through voting. Couples are eliminated as the competition progresses until one celebrity and professional dancer are left standing as champions.
ABC describes the series as a competition in which celebrities are paired with trained ballroom dancers and perform themed choreographed routines for a panel of ballroom experts.
When Did Dancing with the Stars Start?
The American version of Dancing with the Stars premiered on June 1, 2005.
The series is based on the British television format Strictly Come Dancing.
The first American season featured six celebrity contestants. Actress Kelly Monaco and professional dancer Alec Mazo won the inaugural competition.
What initially looked like an unusual television idea—celebrities learning ballroom dancing—quickly became a major American TV franchise.
How Does Dancing with the Stars Work?
The format is easy to understand.
A celebrity is paired with a professional dancer. The professional teaches the celebrity choreography and prepares them for that week's performance.
The couple then performs in front of the judges.
Depending on the episode and season format, the couple's overall position is influenced by both:
Judges' scores
Viewer votes
Performance quality
Dance technique
Choreography
Musicality
Audience reaction
The lowest-performing couples face elimination, and the competition continues until the final couples compete for the championship.
The winner receives the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, named in honor of longtime judge Len Goodman.
Who Are the Dancing with the Stars Judges?
The judging panel has changed over the years, but some names have become closely associated with the show.
For Season 35, the judges are:
Carrie Ann Inaba
Bruno Tonioli
Derek Hough
Inaba and Tonioli have been part of the judging panel throughout the show's entire 35-season run, while Derek Hough originally joined the program as a professional dancer before becoming a judge.
The judges each bring a different perspective to the ballroom, which is part of what makes their reactions—and their scores—such a major part of the show.
Who Hosts Dancing with the Stars?
The American series has had several hosts throughout its history.
Tom Bergeron was the longtime face of the show during its early and middle years. Other hosts have included Samantha Harris, Brooke Burke, Erin Andrews and Tyra Banks.
For the modern era, Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough serve as the hosts.
Julianne Hough is especially familiar to longtime viewers because she previously competed on the show as a professional dancer and later served as a judge.
Who Are the Professional Dancers on Dancing with the Stars?
The professional dancers are arguably the secret weapon of Dancing with the Stars.
They teach celebrities—many of whom have little or no ballroom experience—how to perform demanding routines in a relatively short period of time.
Over the years, the professional lineup has included fan favorites such as:
Derek Hough
Mark Ballas
Val Chmerkovskiy
Witney Carson
Jenna Johnson
Daniella Karagach
Sharna Burgess
Cheryl Burke
Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Peta Murgatroyd
The professional dancers aren't simply backup performers. They are choreographers, teachers, coaches and performance partners.
That relationship between celebrity and professional is one of the biggest reasons viewers become emotionally invested in the show.
What Dance Styles Are on Dancing with the Stars?
One week might feature a glamorous ballroom routine. The next could involve an energetic Latin dance or a completely different themed performance.
Dance styles featured throughout the show's history have included:
Waltz
Foxtrot
Tango
Viennese waltz
Quickstep
Cha-cha
Salsa
Samba
Rumba
Paso doble
Jive
Argentine tango
Contemporary
Jazz
Freestyle
The changing dance styles are part of the challenge.
A celebrity isn't simply trying to memorize steps. They have to learn the character, technique, timing and performance style required for each routine.
When Is Dancing with the Stars Season 35?
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 premieres September 15 and 16, 2026.
The season is launching with a two-night premiere event.
The series is airing on ABC and streaming on Disney+, with episodes also becoming available on Hulu afterward.
Season 35 arrives after a record-breaking Season 34 and follows the introduction of the franchise's new professional-dancer competition, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.
Who Is on Dancing with the Stars Season 35?
Season 35 features a new group of celebrities from entertainment, sports, television and social media.
Among the announced contestants are:
Jenna Dewan
Julia Stiles
Harry Shum Jr.
Giada De Laurentiis
Tatyana Ali
Tyler Cameron
Ciara Miller
Maura Higgins
Amber Glenn
Ezra Frech
Guillermo Rodriguez
Taylor Hanson
The season also features returning professional dancers and new faces joining the ballroom.
The complete cast announcement is particularly timely because ABC is revealing the Season 35 lineup in September 2026.
Where Can You Watch Dancing with the Stars?
For the current season, viewers can watch Dancing with the Stars on ABC and stream it through Disney+.
Episodes are also available on Hulu after their initial broadcast/streaming release.
Availability can vary by location and streaming plan, so checking your local listings or streaming service is the safest way to confirm the latest viewing options.
Why Is Dancing with the Stars So Popular?
The appeal is surprisingly simple.
You get to watch someone famous attempt something they may have never done before.
Some contestants are naturally athletic. Others are performers. Some have rhythm. Some absolutely do not.
That creates the show's central question:
Can this celebrity actually become a dancer?
The professional partner then has the difficult job of turning that potential into a performance.
Add music, costumes, choreography, judging, voting, competition and personal stories, and every episode has something different happening.
What Is the Mirrorball Trophy?
The Mirrorball Trophy is the championship trophy awarded to the winning couple.
Winning it means the celebrity and professional dancer survived the competition and finished at the top.
The trophy is now known as the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, honoring longtime judge Len Goodman, who was an important part of Dancing with the Stars from its beginning.
For contestants and fans, the Mirrorball has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the series.
Is Dancing with the Stars Scripted?
The performances are choreographed and rehearsed, but that doesn't mean the competition itself has a simple predetermined outcome.
The celebrities and professional dancers prepare their routines before performing them. Judges then score those performances, while viewers participate through voting.
The combination of preparation, live performance and voting is what creates the competition.
Of course, reality television also includes storytelling, editing and dramatic moments—but the show's fundamental attraction is watching real contestants deal with the pressure of learning and performing dances.
What Makes the American Version Different?
The American Dancing with the Stars series has developed its own identity while retaining the basic concept of its British source format.
The American version places enormous emphasis on celebrity personalities, entertainment, emotional stories, elaborate performances and the relationship between celebrities and their professional partners.
That combination has helped the show remain relevant for more than two decades.
Dancing with the Stars at a Glance
Question Answer
What is it? American celebrity dance competition
Network ABC
Original premiere June 1, 2005
Based on Strictly Come Dancing
Current hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough
Season 35 judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough
Championship trophy Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy
Season 35 premiere September 15–16, 2026
Streaming Disney+ and Hulu availability
Final Thoughts on the Dancing with the Stars American TV Series
The Dancing with the Stars American TV series has lasted because its formula is almost impossible to resist.
Take a celebrity.
Pair them with a professional dancer.
Give them a difficult routine.
Put them under bright lights.
Then let judges and viewers decide whether they deserve another week.
Sometimes the result is hilarious. Sometimes it's surprising. Sometimes a contestant who nobody expected to succeed becomes one of the best dancers in the competition.
That unpredictability is the heart of Dancing with the Stars.
And with Season 35 premiering September 15–16, 2026, the American dance competition is ready for another round of celebrities, professional dancers, big performances and Mirrorball dreams.
What is Dancing with the Stars American TV series?
Dancing with the Stars is an American reality dance competition in which celebrities are paired with professional dancers and compete in choreographed ballroom and other dance routines.
When did Dancing with the Stars begin?
The American series premiered on June 1, 2005, on ABC.
Who hosts Dancing with the Stars in 2026?
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are the current hosts.
Who are the Dancing with the Stars judges in Season 35?
Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough are the judges for Season 35.
When does Dancing with the Stars Season 35 start?
Season 35 premieres September 15 and 16, 2026.
Where can I watch Dancing with the Stars?
The current season airs on ABC and streams on Disney+, with Hulu also offering episodes after release.
What does the winner of Dancing with the Stars receive?
The winning couple receives the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Is Dancing with the Stars still popular?
Yes. The franchise continues into its 35th season in 2026, with a new celebrity cast and professional dancers competing for the Mirrorball Trophy.
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