Honestly, it feels like every single time a new cast for DWTS drops, half the internet loses its mind with excitement and the other half starts Googling "Who is that?" It’s a cycle. But let’s be real—Season 34, which wrapped up late in 2025, changed the vibe. Watching Robert Irwin take home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy with Witney Carson felt like a full-circle moment for fans who remember his sister Bindi winning years ago. Now, as we sit in early 2026, the conversation has shifted from the TV screen to the massive 74-date live tour that's currently zigzagging across North America.
If you’re looking for the fresh faces of the ballroom, you have to look at both the recent competitors and the pros who are currently headlining the Dancing with the Stars: Live! 2026 Tour. The tour cast is basically a "best of" the new era. It’s got heavy hitters like Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson—who, by the way, are touring together for the first time in five years with their toddler in tow. Talk about a family business.
The Stars Everyone is Talking About Right Now
So, who made the cut for the most recent wave of celebrities? It was a wild mix of nostalgia and TikTok fame. We saw Corey Feldman finally step onto the floor. People had been asking for that for a decade. He was paired with Jenna Johnson, though they didn't quite make it to the end. Then you had Danielle Fishel—yes, Topanga herself—bringing all the millennial energy to the ballroom with Pasha Pashkov.
But the real shocker for some was the heavy presence of the "Mormon Wives" cast. Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt both joined the fray. Some fans were skeptical, but Jen Affleck actually made a decent run of it with the show's newest pro, Jan Ravnik, who basically came straight from Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.
The Season 34 Celebrity Roster Recap
- Robert Irwin (The Champ! Paired with Witney Carson)
- Alix Earle (Runner-up and TikTok royalty, paired with Val)
- Jordan Chiles (Olympic Gold Medalist, paired with Ezra Sosa)
- Dylan Efron (Zac’s brother and The Traitors winner, paired with Daniella Karagach)
- Elaine Hendrix (Villainous Meredith Blake from The Parent Trap, paired with Alan Bersten)
- Scott Hoying (Pentatonix baritone, paired with Rylee Arnold)
- Baron Davis (Former NBA star, paired with Britt Stewart)
- Hilaria Baldwin (Author and yoga instructor, paired with Gleb Savchenko)
Why the New Cast for DWTS Feels Different This Time
The show is leaning into "stunt casting" less and "story casting" more. Take Jordan Chiles, for example. She came onto the show fresh off the 2024 Paris Olympics drama involving her floor exercise medal. Seeing her find joy in the ballroom with Ezra Sosa—who finally got a celebrity partner after years in the troupe—was a huge win for the producers.
And then there’s the "new pro" factor. Jan Ravnik is a name you’re going to hear a lot. Moving from a backup dancer for the biggest pop star on the planet to a pro on DWTS is a massive pivot. He brought a contemporary, commercial edge that felt very 2026. The show is clearly trying to capture a younger audience by hiring dancers who have already toured stadiums.
The 2026 Tour Lineup: Who You Can See Live
If you missed the TV season, the tour is where the new cast for DWTS is really shining right now. The pro lineup for the 2026 tour includes:
- Val Chmerkovskiy & Jenna Johnson (The power couple)
- Daniella Karagach & Pasha Pashkov (The technical masters)
- Emma Slater (Serving as co-host)
- Ezra Sosa & Britt Stewart
- Alan Bersten & Brandon Armstrong
- Hailey Bills (The newest addition to the pro/troupe rank and Jenna’s niece)
Special guests are popping up in different cities, too. Danielle Fishel and Andy Richter are rotating as guest co-hosts. Robert Irwin is even making appearances in select cities to show off his winning moves. It’s a smart move to keep the momentum going during the TV off-season.
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Addressing the Rumors and the "Exit" News
It's not all glitz and glitter. Recently, Stephani Sosa (Ezra’s sister and a former troupe member) had to clear the air about why she wasn't returning. She actually went on TikTok to talk about the pressure of the industry and her experience with Ozempic during her time on the show. It’s a rare, blunt look at what these dancers go through behind the scenes. She isn't part of the current troupe, but she did mention she might show up for some group numbers later on.
The show also saw a bit of a shake-up with the judging panel. While Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli are still there, Carrie Ann actually missed the start of the last season due to an undisclosed illness. It made for a weirdly quiet premiere night, but she’s back in action now.
What’s Next for the Ballroom?
The show just hit its 20th anniversary. That’s a long time to keep people interested in the Cha-Cha-Cha. The strategy now seems to be a mix of high-profile athletes like Jordan Chiles and "it" girls like Alix Earle.
If you're looking to keep up with the new cast for DWTS, the best thing you can do is follow the tour updates. The lineup changes slightly depending on the city, and they often announce late-addition celebrity guests as the tour progresses.
Check the official DWTS tour website for your local date. If you want to see the new pros like Jan Ravnik or Ezra Sosa in action, the live show is actually a better place to see their range than the 90-second clips on TV. You can also catch the full Season 34 replay on Disney+ or Hulu if you need to catch up on how Robert Irwin managed to beat out Alix Earle in that nail-biter of a finale.