Here’s the latest you can act on right now.
Direct answer
- As of mid-May 2026, reports and early-outlets widely discussed for DWTS Season 35 (2026) include potential casting shifts toward reality-TV personalities and calls for returning pros, with several rumors about specific former contestants being considered or teased for 2026. However, no single official ABC confirmation has been published in mainstream outlets you can rely on at this moment.
Context and what to watch
- Casting direction for DWTS Season 35 has been described by entertainment outlets as aiming to capitalize on the show’s recent ratings surge by adding familiar reality-TV figures and potential returning contestants from previous seasons [news coverage in April 2026]. This signals a pattern similar to how past seasons recruited from related reality franchises [news coverage in April 2026]. Expect official announcements to appear on ABC/Good Morning America or DWTS social channels, followed by press rounds and formal cast reveals [media coverage patterns in 2025–2026].
What’s been rumored
- Some outlets floated names like Rob Rausch and Maura Higgins as possible Season 35 participants, with speculation of crossovers from related reality franchises. In other reports, there’s talk of bringing back familiar faces from Bachelor Nation or other DWTS alumni to bolster the lineup. These are rumors and have not been confirmed by ABC as of now.
How to get the most reliable updates
- Check DWTS’s official channels (ABC, DWTS social accounts) for cast announcements.
- Watch for live TV previews or segments on morning talk shows (e.g., Good Morning America) where cast reveals are traditionally shared.
- Look for confirmation from reputable entertainment outlets (e.g., EW, Us Weekly, People) around the time of the official announcements.
Would you like me to monitor for official cast announcements and summarize them as soon as they’re published? If you want, I can also pull the latest rumors from notable outlets and clearly mark which items are confirmed versus speculative.