DWTS Season 35 Reveals Judges and Hosts Ahead of Cast Announcement — See Who's Returning

Derek Hough, the six-time Mirrorball Trophy winner, started as a pro dancer in Season 5 of Dancing with the Stars. Later, he joined the show as a judge in Season 29 of the dancing competition. Now, it has been announced that he will return in the role for Season 35 as well. On the GMA episode, Hough also teased, “You can expect what you know and love about Dancing with the Stars but also an energized show. We have so much momentum. The cast is incredible,” adding, “It’s gonna be an incredible season. I cannot wait. Truly, this is just magic in a bottle and it continues to create magic every single season.” 

The OG judge, Bruno Tonioli, will continue to take a seat on the judging panel. Tonioli has been offering scores and guidance on the ABC competition show since Season 1 in 2005, and that streak is not going to break in Season 35. Why? Because it has been confirmed that he will resume his role. During the announcement on GMA, Tonioli also shared his experience at the Dancing with the Stars Con and talked about how much the fans mean to the show and to him. He said, “What an experience! Because really, we get to meet the people, and it really touched me because some of the stories are like this show is cross-generational. I have grandmother, daughter, the child, and each one of them has been touched, inspired by our show. It was humbling. It really was one of the best experiences, and we all love you. We do this for you.” 

Just like Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba is an original judge on Dancing with the Stars, having been part of the show since Season 1 in 2005. She is also returning for the upcoming instalment. During the GMA segment, Inaba was asked if she and Tonioli “still surprise each other” even after working together for 34 seasons and heading into another season together. Laughing, she answered, “Are you kidding? Of course. Every time we get out there, I never know what’s going to happen with this guy, especially, right?” She went on to explain, “I’m wondering if the shirt’s going to come out. Is there going to be a little nip slip, you know?” Everyone laughed at that, and she added, “It’s always wonderful. And what’s great is the love for the dance and everything that’s happening has been there from day 1.” 

And the host duo is also confirmed! Alfonso Ribeiro will be back to his hosting duties in Season 35. On DWTS, Ribeiro has worn many hats. He first joined the show in Season 19 as a celebrity contestant, where he won with his pro partner, Witney Carson. Then, he came back in Season 21, but this time as a guest judge. Season 31 was when he became a permanent part of the competition as a co-host. When asked how he keeps the show “fresh,” Ribeiro revealed, “It’s Deena Katz [Casting Director]. Like she’s capable of putting such incredible celebrities together and really the magic, I think, that this show, at least in terms of the pros and celebrities, is she knows exactly how to pair them up. She puts the right pro with the right celebrity, which creates magic.” 

Derek Hough’s sister, Julianne Hough, is also back for another season as co-host alongside Ribeiro. She first came aboard DWTS at the age of 18. From Seasons 4 to 8, she was a pro dancer and won her first two seasons on the show. Julianne also had a stint as a regular judge on the show from Season 19 to Season 24, only skipping Season 22. More recently, in Season 32, she took on duties as a co-host. On GMA, she talked about Dolly Parton, who recently passed away at the age of 80 after being diagnosed with cancer. Julianne noted, “I think we are all so inspired by Dolly. I think there is such a—an authenticity is a word that gets thrown out so often, but with Dolly, specifically, she never censored herself. She was always true to who she was.” She continued, “That is what’s so important about this show, too, is connecting and being real and honest and vulnerable, and nobody does it better than Dolly. And the fact that we got to highlight her magic on our show back in 2007, I mean, it’s really incredible.”