Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli ABC/Adrienne Raquel; Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock; Piers Allardyce/Shutterstock
Dancing With the Stars season 32 is approaching, and the celebrities are becoming increasingly excited about their return to the ballroom.
When it comes to the announcement of the cast list, judge Derek Hough has a preference. In April 2023, he shared with We that he enjoys the experience of finding out along with the audience. He avoids finding out who will be competing before the official reveal, stating, "It's always one of those things where you're just like, 'How do they keep doing it? How do we keep coming back?' Each season seems to be even better than the last. The cast is always fantastic, and even the unfamiliar faces often end up becoming our favorites. It's a fantastic show."
Three months later, the announcement was made that Ariana Madix will be one of the contestants for season 32 of Dancing with the Stars. The six-time mirrorball champion, Derek Hough, shared a video on Instagram in July 2023, showing him walking into Madix's Something About Her sandwich shop, coincidentally bumping into the newest celebrity for the show. Hough expressed his excitement for watching Madix hit the iconic Ballroom floor in the upcoming Fall season.
Madix is set to open the L.A. eatery with Vanderpump Rules costar Katie Maloney this summer. She will be the second Pump Rules star to participate in the ballroom contest, following Lisa Vanderpump who appeared on season 16 with pro partner Gleb Savchenko and finished in 10th place. Stay tuned for more information on DWTS season 32, including the hosts and how to watch the new episodes.
Who Is Hosting ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 32?
Alfonso Ribeiro, who previously won the DWTS championship, is set to make a comeback as one of the show’s hosts. While he was partnered with Tyra Banks as the host in the previous season, for season 32 he will be accompanied by former professional dancer Julianne Hough.
Being chosen as a cohost for Dancing with the Stars is truly an honor. This show holds an extraordinary place in my heart due to the many years and diverse roles I have been fortunate enough to experience," Julianne excitedly exclaimed in a statement during March 2023. "For the past 17 years, the remarkable team responsible for bringing the ballroom to life every night has become my second family."
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough MediaPunch/Shutterstock; Gregory Pace/Shutterstock
Which ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Judges Are Returning?
Following season 31, the retirement of longtime head judge Len Goodman was announced. In April 2023, Derek revealed to Us that Goodman would not be replaced. Sadly, Goodman passed away later that month at the age of 78.
"I believe this will be the right amount," Derek exclusively shared with Us, referring to himself, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli. "Having three judges allows for guest judges to be included as well. Last season, we had Michael Bublé, but having five judges was too much. I think this offers more flexibility."
Has the Cast Been Announced for ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 32?
While Derek announced in July 2023 that Madix will be one of the celeb hopefuls competing for the mirrorball in season 32, the rest of the cast has yet to be confirmed.
The full lineup will be revealed on Good Morning America on Thursday, September 13, 2023.
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Which ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Pros Are Coming Back?
: Val Chmerkovskiy and his wife Jenna Johnson are set to make their return to the ballroom, as revealed by Val himself in a May 2023 interview with Us. Jenna had taken a hiatus from the previous season due to her pregnancy with their son Rome, but now they are both ready to step back onto the dance floor."I'm filled with anticipation. Season 31 was absolutely remarkable, so I hope to carry that energy into season 32," he exclaimed. "Jen, you see, I eliminated my strongest competition by getting her pregnant. I'm not sure if I can pull it off two seasons in a row, but she is incredibly motivated and eager to return to Dancing With the Stars, so I'm thrilled to witness her creative prowess in the upcoming season."
Although the remaining professional lineup remains a mystery, Mark Ballas, the current champion whose wife, BC Jean, is expecting their first child, declared his retirement following the conclusion of the 2022 finale.
When Does ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 32 Premiere?
DWTS will return to TV Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET, but an exact date has yet to be announced.
How to Watch ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 32
In an unprecedented move, the upcoming season of DWTS will revolutionize its broadcasting by airing live on both ABC and Disney+. This is an exciting transition for the show, as it recently shifted from its long-established home on ABC to the dynamic streaming platform last season. Moreover, viewers can also catch up on all the thrilling episodes on Hulu every Tuesday.