As excitement builds for the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro showcased their own dance moves in a lively promotional video. The exclusive preview, featured by Us Weekly, highlights the duo’s energetic performance to the classic track “Pump Up the Jam” by Technotronic. The 34th season of the popular ballroom dance competition is set to premiere on September 16, 2023, on ABC.
The network has already announced that social media influencer Alix Earle and Robert Irwin, son of the late wildlife expert Steve Irwin, will be competing for the coveted mirrorball trophy this season. During a recent reunion special for the show Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, host Nick Viall confirmed that both Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt have also been selected to join the cast. The complete lineup of celebrity participants, along with returning professionals, will be officially revealed during the September 3 episode of Good Morning America.
The judging panel will see the return of familiar faces, including Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, while Hough and Ribeiro will continue their hosting duties. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Derek and Julianne expressed openness to potentially performing on DWTS again. “We should. That door is always open for us to get together and do something fun, especially on Dancing With the Stars,” Derek mentioned, hinting at a possible collaboration with his sister.
Julianne highlighted her satisfaction with her role as co-host, stating, “I’ve been on the stage and now I love watching other people shine.” She emphasized the opportunity to support contestants and engage with the audience more as a fan this time around.
Derek also teased that this season will be filled with surprises, mentioning, “There’s going to be a lot of tea.” He conveyed an optimistic outlook for the upcoming season, indicating that the energy and momentum surrounding DWTS are at an all-time high. “I think it’s going to be a big season,” he added.
Julianne echoed this sentiment, reflecting on the show’s 20th anniversary. “It’s never felt more relevant and in the zeitgeist of what’s happening in pop culture,” she remarked. She described the series as “a transformation show masked in rhinestones and fringe and dancing,” emphasizing the personal journeys contestants undertake throughout the competition.
The anticipation for Dancing With the Stars season 34 continues to grow, with fans eager to witness the new lineup of celebrities and the dazzling performances they will deliver. Viewers can tune in to the season premiere on September 16, 2023, at 20:00 ET on ABC, with new episodes available for streaming the following day on Hulu.