The upcoming 32nd season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars is already marred in controversy. First, even though calls from the Writers Guild of America to push back its premiere during the ongoing writer’s strike, both the network and streamer, Disney+ are still moving forward with their planned season premiere next week on September 28th with its two-hour debut.

DWTS has one WGA staff writer, and according to a source through Variety, “the show will be working in compliance with SAG-AFTRA rules, and a key focus is not to put talent in a tough spot, given that many Season 32 cast members are part of the actors’ guild. Another major key consideration was ensuring that the large staff would not be out of work.”   The ballroom-dance competition series employs around 500 people.

The dance program falls under the same agreement as the soap operas under the Network Code agreement that isn’t a part of the current strike.

Photo: JPI

Cheryl Burke, former DWTS pro dancer and Mirror Ball champion, feels DWTS should remain on hiatus till the writers and actors strike are resolved. Burke told Variety, “I think they should hold tight. I think we need to stand as one. We need to unite for real and not just say we’re united.”

Meanwhile another controversy has emerged with the selection of NFL running back, Adrian Peterson, to appear on the show as one of the celebrity contestants. DWTS pro, Shayna Burgess said she was shocked to find out Peterson was allowed to appear on the program. “The man has been charged with child abuse of his 4-year-old son, in the way that he punishes him. That is just devastating for me.”

Burgess is referencing a September 2014 case, where Peterson was indicted by a grand jury on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child, after he had used a wooden implement to discipline his 4-year-old son. He pleaded no contest and avoided jail time by agreeing to a plea deal. Then, in 2018, Peterson admitted he still disciplined his son with a belt.

Photo: ABC

Now, Burke weighed-in on the Peterson situation, expressing:  “We’ve had a lot of controversial characters on the show. I think I danced with Ray Lewis — that was a bit controversial. When it comes to abuse, I do agree with Sharna.  However, you sign up to be a part of the show. And honestly, as a pro dancer, whoever walks in through that door, you don’t turn around and walk out. You’re signing up for this. It’s not like you can request, but if you say certain things that you’re triggered by, you would hope that that wouldn’t happen.”

On the new season of Dancing with the Stars, Peterson will be paired with pro dancer, Britt Stewart.

So, are you looking forward to the new season of DWTS? Should they postpone their season premiere due to the strikes even though they are under the NetCode agreement which is different than the contract the writers and actors are doing battle with the AMPTP over? What do you think of the selection of Adrian Peterson to appear on the show? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Wednesday on Good Morning America, the full cast list and pro dancers who will be participating in the upcoming 32nd season of Dancing with the Stars was revealed for the first time.

Previously, The Bachelorette’s Charity Lawson, reality star, Ariana Madix and Britney Spears sister, actress Jamie Lynn Spears, were announced as part of the new season.

Those joining this trio to compete for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy include: ‘Brady Bunch’ star, Barry Williams, pop singer/songwriter, Jason Mraz, former NFL star running back, Adrian Peterson, model Tyson Beckford, Marvel’s Xohcitl Gomez, plus controversial Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Mauricio Umansky, and more.

Before the news was announced live on GMA, the DWTS judges, pro dancers and hosts performed a dance number. Next, the cast of season 32 joined everyone on the GMA stage to celebrate the kick off to the season.

Dancing with the Stars will air Tuesday nights and premiere on September 26th at 8 pm EST.  The show will return to ABC and be back on network television. In addition, the ballroom competition series will be available to stream on Disney+ concurrently.

The full celebrity cast and their pro partners are below:

Supermodel Tyson Beckford with partner Jenna Johnson

Marvel star Xochitl Gomez with partner Val Chmerkovskiy

How I Met Your Mother star Alyson Hannigan with partner Sasha Farber

Reality TV star Harry Jowsey (“Too Hot to Handle”) with partner Rylee Arnold

Singer Jason Mraz with partner Daniella Karagach

NFL running back Adrian Peterson with partner Britt Stewart

YouTuber Lele Pons with partner Brandon Armstrong

Actress Mira Sorvino with partner Gleb Savchenko

Actress Jamie Lynn Spears with partner Alan Bersten

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Mauricio Umansky with partner Emma Slater

Veep star Matt Walsh with partner Koko Iwasaki

The Brady Bunch star Barry Williams with partner Peta Murgatroyd

The Bachelorette star Charity Lawson with partner Artem Chigvintsev

Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix with partner Pasha Pashkov

So, when looking at the line-up, who do you think has the best chance on paper of winning this season’s Mirror Ball Trophy? Weigh-in below.

There are several big announcements surrounding Dancing with the Stars return to its original television home, ABC (while still on Disney+), for its upcoming 32nd season.

First, DWTS is moving from Mondays to Tuesdays due to a reality-programming schedule that is heavier than usual due to the ongoing Hollywood writers and actors strikes. The season premiere will take place now on Tuesday night, September 26th.

In addition, Britney Spears sister, Jamie Lyn Spears has been revealed as another one of the celebrity contestants for the new season.  Spears announcement comes ahead of Wednesday’s full celebrity and pro dance partner line-up, which will happen on Good Morning America.

Photo: ABC

Spears joins Vanderpump Rules‘ Ariana Madix and The Bachelorette’s Charity Lawson as the only three contestants confirmed at this time.

Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough will return as judges for the season. Derek’s sister, Julianne Hough replaces Tyra Banks as co-host and joins Alfonso Ribeiro in that spot on the ballroom dance floor.

Check out the announcement of Jamie Spears to DWTS with her pro dance partner Alan Bersten below.

Now let us know, who else you hope will be going for the Mirror Ball Trophy on the new season of Dancing with the Stars in the comment section.

The first pairing of the #DWTS season has been revealed: @jamielynnspears and @Dance10Alan are ready to enter the ballroom! Make sure to watch @GMA tomorrow to meet the rest of the stars and their partners! pic.twitter.com/NgyfDSGvgX

— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@officialdwts) September 12, 2023