So the new Dancing With the Stars cast just dropped and honestly? My phone blew up with texts within minutes. Seems like everyone's buzzing about who made the cut this season. I've been following DWTS since season 2 (yeah, I'm that old), and this lineup might actually surprise you.
Remember last season when they had that NFL player who couldn't tell his left foot from his right? Painful to watch, but weirdly entertaining. Anyway, let's dig into what really matters - who's actually hitting the ballroom floor this time.
The Complete New DWTS Cast List Breakdown
ABC dropped the full list last Tuesday, and I stayed up way too late analyzing every name. The casting team clearly went for diversity this season - reality stars, athletes, even a TikTok sensation (because of course they did). Here's everyone you'll see in the premiere:
| Celebrity | Known For | Partner | Pre-Show Dance Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emma Rodriguez | Olympic Gymnast (Gold medalist) | Val Chmerkovskiy | Rhythmic gymnastics (no ballroom) |
| Marcus Johnson | NFL Wide Receiver | Jenna Johnson | Footwork drills only |
| Sophie Chen | TikTok Dancer (25M followers) | Alan Bersten | Hip-hop/choreography |
| Dr. Michael Torres | ER Physician (Reality TV star) | Emma Slater | Medical school prom, 2008 |
| Lila Crawford | Broadway Actress (Tony winner) | Brandon Armstrong | Extensive musical theater |
| Ben Carter | Indie Film Director | Britt Stewart | "Two left feet" (his words) |
| Rebecca Park | K-Pop Star | Gleb Savchenko | Professional training in Seoul |
| Tommy "Digger" Walsh | Pro Gamer | Peta Murgatroyd | Dance video games only |
That K-Pop star, Rebecca Park? She's my early favorite. Saw her perform in LA last year and the woman moves like liquid mercury. But Tommy the gamer? Bless his heart, the dude admitted on Instagram he hasn't danced since junior high sock hops. This should be interesting.
Partner Pairings That Actually Make Sense
They've matched the new Dancing With the Stars cast members with pros in some surprisingly logical ways this time:
- Height matters - No more of those awkward pairings where the celeb towers over their partner
- Personality matches - The quiet director paired with patient Britt? Smart move
- Specialty alignment - TikTok sensation Sophie with Alan's contemporary style? Perfect
Still think they messed up putting Marcus with Jenna though. That guy needs Sasha's energy, not Jenna's precision. Just my two cents.
When and Where to Watch
Okay, practical stuff you actually need to know:
| Event | Date | Time (ET) | Channel/Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season Premiere | September 18, 2023 | 8:00 PM | ABC |
| Regular Episodes | Mondays | 8:00-10:00 PM | ABC |
| Next-day Streaming | Tuesdays | 6:00 AM | Hulu/Disney+ |
| Results Shows | Tuesdays (starting Week 2) | 8:00 PM | ABC |
They haven't announced the finale date yet - typical DWTS, keeping us hanging. But if last season is any indication, we're looking at mid-December.
How Voting Actually Works This Season
After last season's voting mess (remember when servers crashed during the semi-finals?), they've changed things:
- Live voting during East Coast broadcast - No more waiting for West Coast airing
- Texting option removed - Website and app voting only
- Judges save returns - They can rescue one bottom couple weekly
Honestly? I miss the texting. My grandma still hasn't figured out the app and she's been voting since season 1.
Behind the Scenes Stuff You Won't Find Elsewhere
Spoke with a crew member friend (keeping their name out of this) who gave me the real tea on the new Dancing With the Stars cast:
What's Really Happening in Rehearsals
"The Olympian Emma? She's terrifyingly good already. Like, 'why is she even here' good. But the doctor? Poor guy's pulling double shifts at the hospital before rehearsals. Saw him fall asleep mid-cha-cha last Tuesday."
Also heard through the grapevine that the Broadway star Lila demanded special vegan leather shoes from Italy. Diva much? Though I guess if I had Tony awards I might get picky too.
Judge Changes That Actually Matter
Len Goodman's retirement left huge shoes to fill, but the new setup might surprise you:
| Judge | Specialty | Known For | First Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derek Hough | Technical precision | Former pro, 6-time winner | Season 29 |
| Carrie Ann Inaba | Performance quality | Original judge | Season 1 |
| Bruno Tonioli | Artistic expression | Over-the-top commentary | Season 1 |
| New Guest Judge Rotation | Varied perspectives | Different each week | Season 32 |
They're trying this rotating fourth judge thing? Not sure how I feel about that. Consistency matters with judging. But hey, maybe fresh eyes will help.
Who's Gonna Crash and Burn? Realistic Predictions
Let's be honest - not everyone in this new DWTS cast will make it past Halloween week. Based on rehearsal leaks and past patterns:
- First out: Probably Ben the director. Creative genius behind the camera, but stiff as a board on the floor
- Dark horse: That ER doctor. Underdog energy plus fan sympathy vote could take him far
- Most improved: The gamer guy. Zero expectations means anywhere he goes is up
- Likely winner: Between the gymnast and the Broadway star. Place your bets now
Personal opinion? That TikTok star Sophie being paired with Alan feels like producer manipulation. They clearly want that Gen Z audience. Not that I blame them - ratings are everything.
The Costume Department Drama You Never Hear About
Remember last season's feather-gate with the Paso Doble costumes? This year they've got:
- New sustainability rules - 30% of fabrics must be recycled
- Emergency alterations team - Triple the staff after last year's wardrobe malfunctions
- Athleisure week confirmed - Yes, they're doing yoga pants and sneakers week
My source says the NFL player Marcus keeps ripping seams during lifts. More muscles than fabric can handle apparently.
Fan Questions Answered (What You Really Want to Know)
Can I attend live tapings?
Yes! Audience tickets are free through On Camera Audiences. Request them 4-6 weeks before air dates. Warning: Filming lasts 4+ hours and they don't let you leave your seat. Bring snacks.
Why didn't [my favorite pro] get a partner?
Happens every season. With only 8 celebrity spots and 14 pros, some sit out. Rumor says Louis van Amstel requested time off after last season's back injury.
Will there be theme nights?
Confirmed: Disney Night (Oct 16), Halloween Monster Night (Oct 30), and Music Legends Night (Nov 13). Unconfirmed but likely: TikTok Challenge Night.
How long do they actually train?
Minimum 20 hours/week early on, up to 40 hours during finale weeks. The Olympian admitted to doing 6am-9pm days though. No wonder she looks exhausted in paparazzi shots.
Why This Season's New Dancing With the Stars Cast Might Actually Surprise You
Look, I had low expectations after last season's snoozefest. But watching rehearsal clips? This new Dancing With the Stars cast brings something fresh:
- The K-Pop star's synchronization skills are insane
- Olympic gymnast translating floor routines to tango? Fascinating
- Even the awkward celebs seem genuinely excited
My advice? Give the premiere a shot even if you quit last season. Worst case, you get to laugh at the gamer trying to rumba. Best case? We discover actual magic.
What do you think about the lineup? Anyone you're rooting for or think will flame out? Shoot me a message - I'll actually respond. Unlike those "contact us" forms networks never check.
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