Dancing With The Stars glided into our hearts in 2005 and never left. After 21 years, the competition for the mirrorball keeps getting better. Although I haven’t watched every season, I’ve watched a few, and they seem to top themselves every time. Season 35 isn’t any different.
For weeks, fans have been trying to figure out the new cast. On September 2, 2026, Good Morning America unveiled the star-studded cast competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, along with two new and one returning pro. Big things are happening this season, and I can’t wait to watch. After everyone was glued to their seats watching a second Irwin win the Mirrorball (seasons 21 and 34, Derek Hough and Witney Carson), we’re eager to see who wins season 35.
Before I share my season 35 predictions, let's rewind and talk about where we ended season 34. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson took home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy after an exciting season and with Irwin's injury coming into the finale episode. Desipte the obstacles, they came out on top, but it wasn't without a fight. The competition was tough, as each of the five couples came out with an "explosive freestyle" among their three separate dance rounds (freestyle, judges' choice, and the instant dance challenge).
My husband's top contender was Robert since episode 1, but I was rooting for Robert, Elaine Hendrix, and Dylan Efron. Even with our top contenders in place, the finale was incredible from all angles. I'll be honest, I would have been happy with any outcome.
DWTS season 35 winner predictions
I'm not a DWTS expert by any means, but I browse the social media comments now and then. Some of the fans can be intense about who they want to see make it to the finale and who deserves to finally be a top contender. As a less knowledgeable fan, I have my own predictions for which pros and their partners should be in the finale. They may not be as in-depth as some, but they are from the heart, I promise.
Looking back on the last two seasons, the season 33 finale featured pros Rylee Arnold, Jenna Johnson, Witney Carson, Alan Bersten, and Brandon Armstrong, while season 34's finale featured Val Chmerkovskiy, Daniella Karagach, Bersten, Carson, and Ezra Sosa.
I loved seeing Brandon, Rylee, and Erza make it to the finale in the last two seasons. As much as I loved the pros who have won or made it to the finale many times, I love seeing the other pros shine. Especially with their freestyles in mind, wow! I could see them making it to the finale again on season 35. All three have heart and dedication for dance that is often overshadowed. Somehow, they are seen by us, and it's beautiful.
That's not to say I wouldn't want to see our two new pros, Hailey Bills and Adele Zaikman, in the finale as our rookies (Hailey from the troupe and Adele from The Next Pro), but I need to see their first dance of the season before I make that decision. From what I've heard and seen online, Hailey and Adele are contenders alongside the other pros. Lastly, I'd love to see a finale with returning pro Sharna Burgess. Not only is she paired with Bachelorette heartthrob Tyler Cameron, but she's phenomenal, and I'm excited for her return to the ballroom.
I love all the pros and the new stars, but I do have some hopes for the top 5 contenders. Based on the past two seasons and their partners for season 35, here are my predictions:
- Sharna Burgess and Tyler Cameron: I definitely think we could see Sharna Burgess in the finale with Tyler Cameron; from their interviews and GMA, they seem like a great pairing.
- Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Dewan: Val Chmerkovsky has great potential with Jenna Dewan's dance roots to make it all the way.
- Ezra Sosa and Julie Stiles: I truly hope Ezra Sosa makes it all the way with Julia Stiles, as she falls in love with dance again.
- Rylee Arnold and Connor Wood: I want to see Rylee Arnold make it to the top five again because her teaching is so underrated. Luckily, it already looks like her personality matches perfectly with Connor Wood's bubbly and outgoing attitude. Plus, Connor and Tyler already seem like best friends, which shows they are both down for anything.
- Emma Slater and Taylor Hanson: Lastly, I want to see Britt Stewart (partnered with Taylor Hanson) or Emma Slater (partnered with Jackson Olson) make it to the finale episode. Both ladies deserve to showcase their teaching skills for much longer.
As much as I love the DWTS finale episodes, I love the entire journey more. Especially when the pros highlight what the stars hold dear. One of my favorites came last season from Danielle Fishel and her partner Pasha Pashko when they did a jive alongside George Feeny (William Daniels). She paid tribute to her Boy Meets World roots, reunited with one of her mentors, and made us all cry when she received an A+ and her first 8 of the season.
I'm hoping to see another 'emotional tribute' this season. My two top contenders for that would be Julia Stiles and Jenna Dewan, with their hit dance movies hitting milestone anniversaries. Stiles' The Last Dance hit 25 years, while Dewan's Step Up hit 20 years this year. I see this being a special season for both of them as they honor their love for dance and the movies that brought them into our hearts.
Along with them, I'm eager to see how our pros honor the 90s and early 2000s pop culture with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum Tatyana Ali and 90s teen idol Taylor Hanson joining the competition. Of course, there are many stars from other parts of pop culture, but I'm a sucker for nostalgia as a millennial. I can't wait to see who I'll be rooting for after season 35 premieres with a two-night event on Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.
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