By Kayla DeKraker
DANCING WITH THE STARS is looking for the next generation of pros with a brand new spinoff, DANCING WITH THE STARS: THE NEXT PRO.
Hosted by Robert Irwin, wildlife conservationist and DWTS Season 34 winner, the spinoff follows “12 up-and-coming dancers who move into a house together and compete through the audition process, vying for a spot as a pro dancer on the upcoming Season 35 of DANCING WITH THE STARS,” USA Today reported.
“It’s a journey to the ballroom like never before,” DANCING WITH THE STARS announced on Instagram. “Join host @robertirwinphotography for DANCING WITH THE STARS: THE NEXT PRO, premiering Monday, July 13 on ABC! Stream on Hulu. #DWTSNextPro”
Related: How Robert Irwin Carries on Father Steve Irwin’s Legacy
People in the comment section gushed with excitement.
“So excited to watch this” one person said. Another added, “LOVE THIS!! It’s going to be SO good!”
Three-time DWTS winner Mark Ballas will judge the show, alongside his mother, Shirley Ballas, who was a judge on the BBC’s STRICTLY COME DANCING.
“Now it’s time to find the next pro who can keep up with our seasoned pros and whip these rookie stars into shape,” Shirley said.
Irwin won last season alongside pro Witney Carson.
“I found the moments where I let go the guard, the filter and just let the emotions just really be at that surface level and not care if I was crying or I was just ecstatically happy, whatever that feeling was, just to let it happen and sit in that kind of vulnerable state of, Well, here’s the heart on the sleeve, take it or leave it — there’s a great power in that,” he told The Hollywood Reporter of his win.
The DANCING WITH THE STARS franchise has experienced a rise in popularity recently. The Season 34 finale had the highest ratings since 2016.
Deadline reported, “It’s not a huge surprise given that the BBC Studios-produced show has been performing well all season.” During the final episode, Irwin and Carson won the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The show drew 9.24 million viewers overall and earned a 2.15 rating among adults aged 18-49.
The new series was announced during Hulu’s “Get Real” event. The spinoff is set to premiere on July 13, 2026, on ABC, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the next day. DANCING WITH THE STARS Season 35 will then air in the fall so that the NEXT PRO winner can participate in the show.
Read Next: Will This DWTS Winner Host the Upcoming Spin-Off?
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +2Share:
– Content: +1