Why Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Feels Like a Cultural Crossroads
Let’s cut through the sequins: Dancing With the Stars Season 35 isn’t just another round of glitzy cha-chas and dramatic falls. The cast announcement—which dropped like a mic in early September—reveals something far more intriguing: a show grappling with its identity in an era where TikTok fame often outshines Olympic gold. Personally, I think this season’s mix of contestants isn’t just about entertainment; it’s a mirror (ball?) reflecting our evolving obsessions with visibility, validation, and what we’re willing to call ‘talent.’
The Rise of the Micro-Celebrity: When 15 Minutes Becomes 10 Weeks
One thing that immediately stands out is how many contestants are here because they posted the right 15-second clip at the right time. Take Conner Leavitt, the ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ star, or Ciara Miller, who exploded on Summer House. These aren’t just names; they’re algorithms. In my opinion, ABC isn’t just casting dancers—they’re casting narratives that’ll trend on X by breakfast. What this really suggests is that DWTS has quietly become a battleground for influencer culture, where the ability to stir online chatter matters more than, say, a decade of choreography experience.
Compare this to Julia Stiles, returning to dance after her Save the Last Dance days. Her presence feels almost nostalgic—a relic of when ‘acting chops’ and ‘movie fame’ were the primary currencies. But even she’s playing into the new game: her pairing with Ezra Sosa, a pro still chasing his first win, feels engineered for ‘underdog’ storylines. This raises a deeper question: Is the show still about dancing, or has it become a 10-week masterclass in brand management?
Disability, Diversity, and the ‘Inspirational’ Trap
Ezra Frech, a Paralympic gold medalist, is undoubtedly the most fascinating pick. His partnership with Daniella Karagach screams potential for groundbreaking performances—but also risks falling into the trap of ‘inspiration porn.’ What many people don’t realize is that showcasing adaptive dance can redefine artistry, yet it’s a tightrope walk. Will Frech be celebrated for his skill, or will the narrative focus on his disability as a ‘heartwarming’ subplot? From my perspective, this choice could redefine inclusivity on reality TV—or reduce a complex athlete to a sob story.
Meanwhile, Jenna Dewan’s return feels like a nod to the show’s golden era. A Step Up alum with actual dance credentials? Refreshing. But even her arc is tinged with irony: paired with Val Chmerkovsky, a pro known for his intensity, she’s likely being set up to ‘prove’ she’s not just a pretty face. It’s 2026, yet the subtext remains: women still have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously.
The Pro Dancers: Burnout, Legacy, and the Mirrorball Mirage
Let’s talk about Sharna Burgess coming out of retirement. The woman’s been here before—Season 30 with Brian Austin Green, who she’s now engaged to. But her return isn’t just romantic nostalgia; it’s a business move. Pros like Burgess and Mark Ballas (paired with The Traitors’ Maura Higgins) are becoming the show’s de facto ‘legacy’ figures. They’re the connective tissue between seasons, the safe bets for ratings. But at what cost? These dancers are aging out of their prime, yet the show keeps recycling them because fresh faces like Hailey Bills (JoJo Siwa’s former partner) haven’t built that loyalty yet.
And then there’s the elephant in the room: Alan Bersten. Partnered with Giada De Laurentiis? A chef. A chef. What this really suggests is that the pros are now damage-control specialists, tasked with transforming C-listers into halfway-decent dancers. It’s less Strictly Come Dancing and more Dancing With the Desperation. But hey, if Giada can cha-cha while whispering ‘basta pasta’ jokes, I’ll eat my hat—and maybe her cookbook.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Season Matters
If you take a step back and think about it, DWTS Season 35 is a microcosm of 2026’s cultural anxiety. We’re seeing:
- The TikTok Effect: Fame is no longer earned; it’s captured in a viral moment.
- The Diversity Dilemma: Inclusion feels calculated, not organic.
- The Legacy Play: Stars like Tyler Cameron (fresh off an engagement) and Harry Shum Jr. (Grey’s Anatomy alumnus) are placeholders for ‘old money’ fame.
- The Burnout Cycle: Pros are overworked, underpaid, and stuck babysitting influencers.
What’s next? A season with only TikTok stars? A pro dancer’s union? Personally, I’d love to see a contestant who’s not famous for anything—just a regular person who can dance. But that’s probably as likely as a disco ball surviving a hurricane.
Final Thoughts: The Mirrorball as a Broken Compass
Let’s be honest: DWTS isn’t the cultural force it once was. But Season 35’s cast choices prove it’s still a fascinating barometer. This isn’t just about dance; it’s about who we elevate and why. As the judges say week after week: ‘It’s not just the steps—it’s the storytelling.’ But in 2026, the story we’re telling is one of a world where fame is fleeting, validation is monetized, and the line between talent and buzz has never been blurrier. So, grab your sparkles—and your popcorn. This season’s drama starts long before the first dance.
