Dancing with the Stars Season 34 – Premiere, Cast & Winner

Dancing with the Stars Season 34 brought television’s longest-running dance competition into its milestone 20th anniversary year. The season premiered on September 16, 2025, featuring a refreshed host dynamic, a celebrity cast spanning reality television personalities and social media stars, and an ambitious lineup of themed episodes spanning 11 weeks.

ABC and Disney+ delivered the live broadcast every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with episodes becoming available on Hulu the following day. The season concluded its run amid celebrations befitting a show that has shaped American pop culture for two decades.

When Does Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Premiere?

ABC officially announced the premiere date on July 17, 2025, locking in September 16 for the Season 34 launch. The network scheduled the two-hour premiere in its established Tuesday night slot at 8/7c, immediately followed by the crime drama High Potential. This scheduling positioned the new season directly within the fall television lineup, a strategic move that has worked consistently for the franchise over the years.

Premiere Date and Episode Schedule

The full episode schedule released by the network included themed nights that guided each week’s competition:

• September 16 – Personal Anthem Night (all 14 contestants)
• September 23 – One-Hit Wonders Night
• September 30 – TikTok Night
• October 7 – Disney Night (Disneyland’s 70th anniversary)
• October 14 – Dedication Night
• October 21 – Wicked Night
• October 28 – Halloween Night
• November 4 – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night
• November 11 – 20th Birthday Party (show’s anniversary)
• November 18 – Prince Night (Semifinals)
• November 25 – Three-Hour Finale (freestyles and crowning)

How to Watch Dancing with the Stars Season 34

Viewers had multiple options for catching the competition live. The show aired simultaneously on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Those who preferred streaming could access episodes on Disney+ the moment they aired, while cord-cutters using Hulu found new episodes available the day after each broadcast. Cosmopolitan’s viewing guide outlined the complete schedule for fans planning their weekly viewing.

Who Are the Contestants and Cast for DWTS Season 34?

The complete 14-celebrity cast debuted on September 3, 2025, during a special broadcast on Good Morning America. The announcement revealed a diverse lineup blending reality television personalities, social media influencers, and notable figures from outside the entertainment industry.

Early Cast Announcements

ABC began teasing the new season months before the official reveal. Robert Irwin, the Australian wildlife conservationist and television personality, emerged as the first confirmed contestant on April 22, 2025. His participation marked a notable international addition to the typically U.S.-focused cast.

Social media star Alix Earle joined the competition as one of the season’s most anticipated contestants, bringing her substantial TikTok and Instagram following to the DWTS audience. Whitney Leavitt and Jennifer Affleck, stars of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, were revealed during a reunion special that doubled as a cast announcement event.

Season 34 Winner

Robert Irwin and his professional partner Witney Carson emerged victorious at the end of the season. The win marked a significant achievement for Carson, who had competed on the show for multiple seasons before securing her first championship as a pro dancer. The couple’s journey through the themed episodes, from Personal Anthem Night through the freestyle finale, resonated with viewers throughout the fall season.

Hosts, Judges, and Pros for Dancing with the Stars Season 34

Season 34 featured notable changes to the hosting arrangement, with Julianne Hough returning to the host position after previously serving as a judge. This shift placed her alongside familiar face Alfonso Ribeiro, who continued in his role as co-host following his debut in Season 33.

Hosts and Judges Panel

The judging panel remained consistent with recent seasons. Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough returned as the three permanent judges, evaluating each performance using the established scoring system. Derek Hough’s position on the panel complemented his sister Julianne’s return to hosting duties, keeping multiple members of the Hough family central to the show’s operations.

Professional Dancers

Jan Ravnik joined the professional dancer roster as the season’s sole confirmed rookie pro. Prior to DWTS, Ravnik performed with Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, bringing high-profile choreography experience to the competition. IMDB’s comprehensive coverage tracked the professional dancer lineup throughout the season, though a complete roster was not fully detailed across available sources.

Recent Results from Season 33 and What to Expect in Season 34

While direct details about the Season 33 winner were not included in the available results, the transition to Season 34 brought several meaningful changes that distinguished the new season from its predecessor. The most prominent was the celebration of the show’s 20th anniversary, marked by the “20th Birthday Party” themed episode on November 11.

Changes and New Elements

ABC officially renewed Dancing with the Stars for the 2025–26 unscripted slate, signaling confidence in the franchise’s continued performance. The dual-platform release strategy, combining TVInsider’s coverage with live broadcasts on both ABC and Disney+, provided maximum accessibility for viewers across different viewing preferences.

The themed episode structure represented a return to the format that has defined recent seasons, with Disney Night coinciding with Disneyland’s 70th anniversary providing a natural promotional partnership opportunity. The incorporation of trending themes like TikTok Night demonstrated the show’s willingness to evolve with contemporary culture. For those interested in the cast, you can find the Klassen säsong 8 rollista here.

Competition Format

The 14-celebrity cast competed across 11 episodes, with eliminations occurring weekly until the three-hour finale. The semifinals on November 18 featured Prince Night, narrowing the field before the championship round. Viewers participated through traditional voting methods, with results combined with judges’ scores to determine each week’s bottom contestants and ultimate elimination order.

DWTS Season 34 Timeline

The build-up to Season 34 unfolded across several months of strategic announcements and media appearances:

1. April 22, 2025 – Robert Irwin confirmed as first contestant
2. July 17, 2025 – ABC announces premiere date and schedule
3. September 3, 2025 – Full 14-celebrity cast revealed on Good Morning America
4. September 16, 2025 – Season 34 premiere with Personal Anthem Night
5. November 18, 2025 – Semifinals (Prince Night)
6. November 25, 2025 – Season finale and championship crowning

Confirmed Information vs. Outstanding Questions

20th Anniversary and What This Season Means

Season 34 arrived as Dancing with the Stars reached its 20th anniversary, a milestone that few reality television programs achieve. The show’s longevity reflects its ability to adapt while maintaining core elements that have defined the competition since its debut. From the original format borrowed from the British Strictly Come Dancing to the current incarnation spanning broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms, DWTS has consistently reinvented itself for new audiences.

The 2025 season incorporated anniversary celebrations throughout its themed episodes, with the November 11 “20th Birthday Party” serving as the apex of these commemorations. The milestone also prompted reflection on the show’s cultural impact, including its role in launching professional dance careers and bringing diverse celebrity contestants into viewers’ homes each fall.

The inclusion of contestants from emerging reality franchises like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives alongside established personalities such as Robert Irwin demonstrated the show’s continued ability to attract relevant talent. Meanwhile, the TikTok Night theme acknowledged the platform’s influence on dance culture and music discovery, bridging generational gaps in the audience.

Official Sources and Where to Find Updates

ABC’s official press releases provided the most authoritative information throughout the season. ABC’s press portal distributed announcements regarding cast reveals, scheduling changes, and renewal news. The network’s social media accounts, particularly the official Instagram account, confirmed themed episode specifics as the season progressed.

Industry publications including TVInsider and entertainment outlets like Cosmopolitan provided ongoing coverage of announcements and results. Wikipedia’s dedicated Season 34 page offered a centralized reference for episode-by-episode developments, though users should note the conflicting finale date information.

Summary

Dancing with the Stars Season 34 successfully navigated its 20th anniversary year with a refreshed hosting arrangement, diverse celebrity cast, and competitive field that culminated in Robert Irwin and Witney Carson claiming the mirrorball trophy. The 11-week run featured themed episodes spanning personal milestones, pop culture phenomena, and celebratory occasions that honored the franchise’s legacy while maintaining competitive appeal. Viewers can access episodes live on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with next-day availability on Hulu for those preferring on-demand viewing.

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