DANCING with the Stars has finally dropped a ‘special’ announcement ahead of season 34, but fans aren’t happy with the news.
Dancing with the Stars season 34 will kick off on Tuesday, September 16 on ABC and Disney +.
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough have teased a ‘special’ announcement ahead of season 34[/caption]
Julianne and Alfonso released a new dancing video[/caption]
Alfonso teasing the special announcement over social media[/caption]
The series has been teasing a “special announcement” in recent days, as one post read, “It’s our #DWTS hosts like you’ve never seen before. This Monday, @therealalfonsoribeiro and @juleshough have something special coming your way to hype you up for the season premiere!“
Host Alfonso Ribeiro said in a video posted over the weekend, “Something special is coming tomorrow and you don’t want to miss it.”
Fans speculated the show will drop the lineup for the professional dancers appearing on the season.
But instead, the show posted a video of Alfonso and his co-host Julianne Hough dancing to Pump Up the Jam by Felly and Technotronic.
In the video, Julianne sported a white sports bra and sweatpants, while Alfonso danced in a gray sweatshirt and pants.
The series also released a promo photo of the hosts, as Julianne showed off her toned figure in a cut-out sparkly blue dress.
FAN BACKLASH
Fans were outraged over the announcement.
Brylee Armstrong, who is married to pro Brandon Armstrong, commented on the video, “Bestie what is the announcement?”
A second person wrote, “What was the announcement??? I thought we already knew the premiere date.”
A third said, “I hope this wasn’t the announcement because I feel like we knew this??”
A fourth raged, “Guys I’m afraid this was the ‘announcement’ for today. The article they posted on stories confirms same judges as last season and promo pics. I was hoping for an actual announcement.”
A fifth penned, “This was absolutely disappointing.”
Us Weekly, who was the first to post the video, reported, Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli are set to return as judges.
It is rumored Mark Ballas may return[/caption]
Emma Slater is also expected to return[/caption]
CASTING REVEALED?
Ahead of the lineup, fans speculated the announcement would be the professional dancers set to appear next season.
Kristyn Burtt TikTok account reported the female pros include Britt Stewart, Rylee Arnold, Emma Slater, Daniella Karagach, Jenna Johnson and Witney Carson.
As for the men, Val Chmerkovskiy and Brandon Armstrong have been confirmed.
Also set to appear is Mark Ballas, who left the show in 2023.
Mark took home the coveted Mirrorball Trophy three times during his run on the series.
His final victory and appearance was on season 31 when he and partner Charli D’Amelio won.
He returned during season 33, but just as a guest judge.
In 2023, Mark announced on the DWTS tour in Las Vegas, “This will be the last time you see me dance in this capacity. I’m coming to a close tonight. This is going to be my last dance.”
Viewers watched as Mark struggled at practices with Charlie because of his back.
ABC has not confirmed the casting rumors.
DWTS Season 33 Full Cast List
13 contestants battled it out on Season 33 of the ABC reality series.
- Stephen Nedoroscik, partnered with Rylee Arnold
- Ilona Maher, partnered with Alan Bersten
- Jenn Tran, partnered with Sasha Farber
- Anna Delvey, partnered with Ezra Sosa
- Eric Roberts, partnered with Britt Stewart
- Chandler Kinney, partnered with Brandon Armstrong.
- Tori Spelling, partnered with Pasha Pashkov
- Joey Graziadei, partnered with Jenna Johnson
- Reginald VelJohnson, partnered with Emma Slater
- Phaedra Parks, partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy
- Dwight Howard, partnered with Daniella Karagach
- Danny Amendola, partnered with Witney Carson
- Brooks Nader, partnered with Gleb Savchenko
CASTING SHAKEUP
This comes after pro Gleb Savchenko will return to the series for the upcoming season.
Gleb’s ex Brooks Nader made a bombshell accusation that he was unfaithful on the teaser for her upcoming reality show, Love Thy Nader.
“He’s a cheater and I have all that proof,” the 28-year-old told her sisters.
Gleb, 41, has since denied that he had ever cheated however, the latest drama was apparently ABC’s “final straw,” along with other factors, for not bringing him back to the ballroom.
According to an insider, “Gleb was fired from Dancing With the Stars for a number of reasons but Brooks accusing him of cheating was the final straw.
“He has a history of bringing in negative publicity for the show. He’s a great dancer and most of the pros like him, but he doesn’t have the best reputation on set with the crew.
“That mixed with him getting older, it just was no longer a suitable fit for the show.
“He was getting phased out anyway, and Brooks just made their decision easier and quicker.”
The source added that Gleb is currently “pushing” to get on other popular dancing and reality shows as he’s “stressed” about losing the career he worked so hard to build.
As for the celebrities, Alix Earle, Robert Irwin, Whitney Leavitt, and Jennifer Affleck have been confirmed to appear on the show.
The remainder of the celebrity cast will be announced in September.
TikTok star Alix Earle is one of the celebrity contestants this season[/caption]
