Dancing with the Stars
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Kelly Monaco, Cameron Mathison, Chrishell Stause and Tom Bergeron Return to the Ballroom for 20th Anniversary Episode
Last night, it was the dance party of the year as ABC’s Dancing with the Stars celebrated its 20th anniversary with a star-studded episode with past winners and contestants in attendance, longtime host, Tom Bergeron back as a judge, and four current couples competing in this season all scoring perfect 10’s as we head into the semi-finals next week.
General Hospital was well-represented by a rare public appearance by Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall), who was seen in the audience enjoying the anniversary episode. As you recall, Monaco was the first-ever Dancing with the Stars champion along with pro Alec Mazo in 2005. She later returned to the series in 2012, when she participated in the Dancing with the Stars All-Stars championship for second shot at the Mirror Ball Trophy where she came in third. Monaco was killed-off the long-running ABC soap opera in 2024 to much controversy after 21 years in her role.
Cameron Mathison (Drew Cain) appeared on the series back in 2007 (when he was still with All My Children). He finished in fifth place with and was partnered with pro dancer Edyta Slinwinska. Another All My Children soap alum and Selling Sunset star, Chrishell Stause competed in 2020 and came in 8th place with her pro partner, Gleb Savchenko. Both were seen in the ballroom during the anniversary show.
Photo: ABC
Meanwhile, Tom Bergeron, the longtime host of the series, who was shown the front door in 2020 after comments made against the producers for allowing President Donald Trump’s former White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, to appear as a contestant on Season 28, was back and all smiles, as he sat at the judges table and scored the contestants alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.
In a surprise moment at the end of the November 11th episode, Bergeron looked to the camera and instead of offering up his comments on contestants, Alix Earle and Robert Irwin’s relay dance said, “You guys were great, but in my last comments as a judge, I want to talk directly to the network. This show is setting ratings records again, so next season bring back the results show. Let the whole country vote. Let everybody vote.”
Post-show, Bergeron clarified his comments to the Hollywood Reporter, “I always mourned the loss of that Tuesday show. I thought it made the voting more fair across the country, because the West Coast can’t vote now unless they’re watching on wherever the hell you’d watch it streamed live.”
Photo: ABC
The star-studded affair also brought a surprise video call to Robert Irwin, from Prince William, with whom he is currently working on an environmental project with, but is missing the work, due to being one of the top contenders for the finals. Prince William said, “Whilst your twinkle toes are going off elsewhere, I need you down here.” Addressing Irwin’s pro partner Witney Carson, he said, “you need to get him in as much glitter as you can.” Irwin serves as a global ambassador for the Earthshot Prize, an environmental prize awarded to five recipients each year.
Scoring a perfect 40 out of 40 from the judges were: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson performing a foxtrot to “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis, in one of the emotional high points of the show, plus Reality TV star Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, who wowed the judges with an unbelievable argentine tango to “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers inspired by Milo Manheim and Witney Carson’s dance from Season 27. In addition, social media star Alix Earle with Val Chmerkovskiy mperformed a foxtrot to “Singin’ in the Rain” by Matthew Morrison that served as a tribute to old Hollywood with a modern flare and received top scores, Finally, The Secret Lives of the Mormon Wives, Whitney Leavitt with Mark Ballas received a perfect score with their rendition of an argentine tango to “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago The Musical.
After the two rounds of competition, including the relay, where the remaining celebrity contestants were paired with former celebrity winners, time finally ran out for comedian Andy Richter and his partner Emma Slater and they were eliminated. Now the couples going to the semi finals are the aforementioned: Whitney and Mark, Dylan and Daniella, Alix and Val, Robert and Witney, plus Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, and Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten.
So, what did you think of DWTS 20th anniversary celebration? Happy to see Kelly Monaco even for a quick minute? What did you think was the best routine of the night and who is your favorite going into the semi-finals? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section. But first, check out a few of the best dances of the night below.
I remember that great picture of Kelly in her costume at her Dancing With The Stars return in 2017 with a very supportive Billy Miller at her side. I believe someone said he got teary eyed in the audience as he watched her with pride. Sad to think about that now…
Ecstatic that she was there, but since ABC/D did everyone dirty, canceling shows, & uprooting AMC to Cali, only to be temporary, thousands of us, refuse to watch or support anything giving the rats support, except General Hospital, & Kelly & Mark, because they are both AMC victims.
Go ahead and be angry that AMC and OLTL were cancelled, but…
How are Kelly and Mark AMC victims? They made their career starts on the show, fell in love in real life. Left the show to go on to much greener pastures. They host a talk show owned and distributed by ABC. Looks like they’ve done quite well by the network.
The move to LA was intended to save the show, but horrific writing and storylines lead to plummeting ratings. ABC would’ve saved money and kept the show in NYC if they thought at the time they would be cancelling it a few years later.
bring it back the way it was.
It was a great show!
At least one ABC network show has the decency to invite her back.
The official reveal of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars Season 35 celebrity cast and their professional dance partners were announced on this morning on September 2 on Good Morning America.
General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison (Drew Cain), a former DTWS contestant, was one of the hosts of the introduction of the full cast this morning on GMA, where Mathison has also been a celebrity correspondent throughout his career.
The ballroom-dance competition will once again be co-hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, with judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli also returning. While there has been four previously released celebrity contestants, the full list was released today which includes: a former Y&R actress in Tatyana Ali (ex-Roxanne), double Paralympic gold medalist and American track and field athlete, Ezra French, Grey’s Anatomy’s Harry Shum Jr. and actress Julia Stiles.
Photo: ABC
The two-night Dancing with the Stars premiere event takes place Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Wednesday, Sept 16, at 8pm EST/7pm PST. on ABC and Disney+ and streams the next day on Hulu.
WHO’S COMPETING FOR THE LEN GOODMAN MIRROR BALL TROPHY?
Take a look at the celebrity contestants and their pro partners below.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Tatyana Ali with partner Jan Ravnik
TV personality and host Tyler Cameron with partner Sharna Burgess
Celebrity chef and host Giada De Laurentiis with partner Alan Bersten
Star of The Rookie Jenna Dewan with partner Val Chmerkovskiy
Paralympian gold medalist Ezra Frech with partner Daniella Karagach
Olympian gold medalist Amber Glenn with partner Pasha Pashkov
From “Hanson” Taylor Hanson with partner Britt Stewart
Reality star and model Maura Higgins with partner Mark Ballas
From The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Conner Leavitt with partner Adele Zaikman
Reality star and host Ciara Miller with partner Brandon Armstrong
From Love Thy Nader Sarah Jane Nader with partner Hailey Bills
“Savannah Bananas” star Jackson Olson with partner Emma Slater
From Jimmy Kimmel Live Guillermo Rodriguez with partner Witney Carson
From Grey’s Anatomy Harry Shum Jr. with partner Jenna Johnson
Film and TV star Julia Stiles with partner Ezra Sosa
Comedian and podcaster Connor Wood with partner Rylee Arnold
Photo: ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS COMPANION SHOWS WITH ANDY RICHTER AND ROBERT IRWIN
In addition, the Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast returns for a second season with a new host, Season 34 contestant Andy Richter, sharing cast interviews, special guests, behind-the-scenes insights and expert breakdowns of the performances, beginning on Thursday, September 10 with episodes airing every Thursday on Disney+ and Hulu, and wherever you get your podcasts.
And for more, season 34 Mirrorball Champion Robert Irwin, will preside over the “DWTS After Party” which finds viewers immediately following “Premiere: Night Two,” checking in with eliminated contestants and breaking down the best moments with “DWTS” alumni with never-before-seen footage and special teases. The aftershow airs live beginning on Wednesday, September 16 at 10:00 p.m. on ABC and Disney+ and streams next day on Hulu.
Four members of the cast were previously revealed as mentioned above: Higgins and Miller were introduced at Hulu’s Get Real event in April. Olson was announced in May, and Rodriguez was announced in June on Jimmy Kimmel Live! by Kimmel himself.
So, what do you think of the cast of season 34 of Dancing with the Stars? Does it intrigue you enough to make you check-in and see the new line-up hit the ballroom dance floor? Who do you wish was competing on the celebrity side that is not? Who do you think on paper looks to have the edge in the competition? Let us know via the comment section below. But first, you can check out GH’s Cameron Mathison and company asking the new cast of DWTS questions and their reactions for the upcoming new season.
UPDATED: ‘Bachelor Nation’ favorite Tyler Cameron is one of two new additions to the cast of Dancing with the Stars upcoming season 35. Cameron will hit the ballroom dance floor and so too will dancer/actress Jenna Dewan.
Cameron is best known as the runner-up in Hannah Brown’s season of The Bachelorette, the winner of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test and starred in his own Amazon Prime home renovation series, Going Home with Tyler Cameron.
Tyler’s casting comes five years after his best friend and former ‘Bachelor’ lead Matt James competed for the Mirror Ball Trophy with pro Lindsay Arnold on season 30. US broke the casting news.
Photo: JPI
FULL DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 35 CAST REVEAL ON GMA
Dewan is best known for starring as Nora Clark in the 2006 dance film Step Up and for her television roles in Supergirl!, The Rookie, and The Witches of Eastwick to name but a few. Jenna began her career as a back-up dancer for Janet Jackson, Pink, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera before moving into acting.
The full cast of Dancing with the Stars is set to be revealed including pros and celebrity contestants on the September 2 episode of Good Morning America. However, already confirmed are: “Summer House” star Ciara Miller, “Love Island UK” alum Maura Higgins, ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ sidekick and comedian Guillermo Rodriguez and Savannah Bananas player Jackson Olson.
Thursday evening August 20, TMZ is now reporting that actresses Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali have also joined the cast. Ali is remembered in the recurring role of Roxanne on The Young and the Restless from 2007 to 2013.
Last season’s Mirror Ball Trophy went to Robert Irwin, the wildlife conservationist and son of the iconic Steve Irwin, and his pro partner Witney Carson. Dancing with the Stars hopes to repeat the success of season 24 which had stellar ratings in 2025.
Dancing With the Stars season 35 kicks off with a back-to-back premiered on ABC and Disney+ starting Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET.
So, who else would you like to see join the celebrity cast of Dancing with the Stars? Share your picks via the comment section below.
Breaking News
2026 Primetime Emmy Nominations: ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Score Among Early Categories
Wednesday Morning on the Today Show, the 78th Primetime Emmy Nominations kicked off with the announcement of two categories: Outstanding Variety Series and Outstanding Reality Competition Program. The remainder of the nominations will be announced beginning at 8:30am PT from the Television Academy.
However, General Hospital’s guest star, John Oliver (also soon to be seen on Days of Our Lives) received a nomination for his HBO talk show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in the Outstanding Variety Series category.
Oliver who just wrapped his on-screen run as the head of the WSB named Z, will compete for the gold statuette with The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and Saturday Night Live.
DANCING WITH THE STARS FIRST NOMINATION IN A DECADE
In addition, ABC’s Dancing with the Stars received its first nomination in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category in ten years on the strength of its massively popular season 34 which featured: Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt and the Mirrorball Trophy winner Robert Irwin.
Dancing with the Stars faces off with RuPaul’s Drag Race, Survivor, Top Chef and The Traitors for the reality competition prize.
Photo: ABC
Winners of the 2026 Emmy Awards will be announced on Monday, September 14 in ceremonies on NBC at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Longtime Law & Order SVU favorite: Mariska Hargitay has been named the host, and the first female to do so in over 15 years.
So, happy to hear John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight and Dancing with the Stars nabbed early nominations for this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards? Let us know via the comment section below.
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