'Dancing with the Stars' Season 35 rumored cast list include 'The Traitors' and 'Love Island' stars
The rumor mills are churning as 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 35 continues to generate buzz. Earlier, ABC confirmed that reality show stars Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins would be taking to the floor, but a slew of names have been doing the rounds as potential contestants. At the time of writing, there is no word on whether any of these names will be confirmed, but a roster of marquee names has been thrown in the mix.
'Happy Days' star Henry Winkler was one of the names expected to be named as a contestant for the new season. After William Shatner suggested him as a prize contestant, Winkler quashed all notions on social media, saying, "Love to you but NO dancing, thank you." Other names include Nic Vansteenberghe ('Love Island'), Rosie O'Donnell ('The Rosie Show'), Rapper Flavor Flav, Ann-Margret ('State Fair'), the winner of 'The Traitors' Season 4, Rob Rausch, and, according to Parade, some possible cast members from 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.'
The latest comes on the back of the spinoff announcement at the 'Get Real House' event earlier this month. The 'DWTS' spinoff, titled 'Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro', will be hosted by Season 34 winner Robert Irwin. The show sees 12 rising dancers moving into a house together and competing through an audition, and their performances will be judged by a marquee panel led by Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley. A win sees them secure a place among the contestants of 'DWTS' Season 35. The Next Pro' will premiere July 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with episodes streaming on Hulu the following day.
In related news, Disney Boss Rob Mills spoke to Variety about Miller's casting: "There’s an old phrase: The best way to get over a lover is to dance with a stranger," Mills said. "We really thought this was the perfect opportunity for that. We’re really excited. We had a Zoom with her, and she couldn’t have been lovelier. And by the time we start with “Dancing” in September, this “Summer House” scandal will be old. I think that, regardless of that, and whether or not you know anything about Ciara, if you watch “Dancing With the Stars,” you’re gonna fall in love with her. So we’re really excited for her to be part of the cast." Season 35 of 'DWTS' is expected to premiere this fall, and an official date is yet to be confirmed.