Dancing with the Stars
‘Dancing with the Stars’ Receives Blowback for Continuing During Strikes & Casting of NFL Star Adrian Peterson
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.
Applause to Shayna who rightfully points out the facts on Peterson, which i commented on when his casting was first announced last week.
And yes, Ray Lewis should’ve not been cast either, but child endangerment is something not to be taken lightly.
Dancing with the Stars
‘DANCING WITH THE STARS’ Unveils Full Cast and Pro Partners for Season 35

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.
Dancing with the Stars
Tyler Cameron Joins the Cast of Season 35 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’

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.
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
-

News7 days agoVivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
-

News1 day agoJess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
-

General Hospital7 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back
-

General Hospital5 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Bluesy Burke Marks 1 Year as Charlotte Cassadine: ‘It’s The Best Gift I’ve Ever Received’
-

News4 days ago‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Drops First Look 40th Anniversary Opening Title Sequence













