Dancing with the Stars 2021 is celebrating 15 years on air, hundreds of celebrities, and a lot of sequins. The hit show is back soon for season 30, and it's set to be better than ever before.
Already, this season is proving a maverick as it's officially been announced that Dancing with the Stars gets first same-sex pairing featuring JoJo Siwa. We’re in the last stretch before season 30 kicks off and day by day, the excitement grows.
Fans are keen to discover whether it will be bigger and better than ever as ABC marks the show’s milestone. Although we've got a while to wait before it returns, the conversation has already started about which celebrities will appear on this season of America's favorite dancing show.
Considering the fact that the pandemic caused mayhem for the Dancing with the Stars last year, fans are wondering what's the 411 on the latest season?
When does dancing with the stars 2021 start?
ABC has officially confirmed that you had better dust off your sequins and dancing shoes for September 20, 2021 because your favorite show will be back on at 8|7c!
As ever, fans are eager to find out who'll be hitting the dance floor and the bosses over at ABC totally teased the lineup.
However, during the Television Critics Association (TCA) panel, the first two celebrity contestants who will be competing in the ABC series for its 30th season were revealed.
Since then, the full cast list has now been announced and from what we can see so far it's going to be amazing!
Dancing With the Stars 2021 Cast—who's signed up?
- JoJo Siwa
- Suni Lee
- Matt James
- Olivia Jade Giannulli
- Jimmie Allen
- Melanie "Mel C" Chisholm
- Christine Chiu
- Brian Austin Green
- Melora Hardin
- Amanda Kloots
- Martin Kove
- Mike "The Miz" Mizanin
- Kenya Moore
- Cody Rigsby
- Iman Shumpert
Jojo Siwa
Chances are if you have any kids in your life you're all too aware of who Jojo is. Jojo is a dancer, actress, singer and influencer who was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020.
The hard-working young woman has more than 60.5 million followers across her social media profiles and over 3.6 billion views on her It’s JoJo Siwa YouTube channel.
She's become super famous since she appeared on two seasons of Dance Moms and most recently has gained a whole new crowd of fans after she came out as pansexual and revealed she's dating her best friend, Kylie Prew.
The young star will be one half of the first-ever same-sex female dancing couple and is sure to bring her dancing talent to the table as well as bringing more representation to the screen.
Suni Lee
Suni is a Hmong American gymnast and Olympic gold medallist.
She's the first-ever Hmong American Olympic gymnast and is already winning at life after her victory at the women's gymnastics individual all-around on July 29 2021.
Discussing her friend and teammate's news, fellow gymnast and former DWTS contestant Simone Biles told People, "I think she'll do really well. I think America will fall in love with her because she has such an inspiring story."
Simone became famous all over the world when she withdrew from the women's gymnastics floor finals at Tokyo Olympics to prioritize her mental health, with the support from her fellow teammates.
Matt James
Matt made history on ABC's The Bachelor as the first black lead on the reality show.
Now, the TV personality confirmed his spot on the dancing competition show with a post to Instagram. In it, he's spotted with fellow competitors Suni Lee and Olivia Jade.
Before joining DWTS, he made his reality television debut on season 25 of The Bachelor. It was there he made headlines for his controversial decision to be with contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who received backlash for past racist social media posts.
The two briefly split but recently reconnected over the summer and have been publicly together since.
Olivia Jade Giannulli
The social media influencer posted a video, on her Instagram stories, of her and her fellow contestants enjoying a social-distanced meal together.
The YouTuber has garnered a large subscribership on the video platform with 1.8 million subscribers. Later on she made headlines after her parents, Lori Laughlin and Mossimo Giannulli, were caught in March 2019 for paying $500,000 to the University of Southern California.
This was in an attempt to ensure that their daughters got into the prestigious college. Her parents' attempt at securing admission spots for her and her sister Bella landed them time in prison.
Olivia has since been trying to separate herself from her family and the whole debacle, in an effort to make a name for herself.
Jimmie Allen
Country singer Jimmie Allen is officially hitting the dance floor, according to his Instagram. The star joins the cast of the competition show and expressed his excitement with a photo of him alongside competitors Matt James and Iman Shumpert.
"Looking forward to this season of @dancingabc it’s gonna be fun. I'm nervous as heck but we ready," he wrote.
This isn't the first time the 35-year-old has been on a competition show. Previously, the country star competed on American Idol season 10 where he got his golden ticket to Hollywood. Unfortunately, he didn't make it to the end but that didn't stop him from signing a record deal and releasing two albums.
Melanie "Mel C" Chisholm
Another Spice Girl is taking a shot at winning the iconic mirror ball trophy. This time around, Mel C (aka Sporty Spice) is putting on her dancing shoes. Previously, Mel B (Scary Spice) competed on Dancing With The Stars back on season 5 of the series. She offered a piece of advice to her fellow Spice Girl with Mel C. shared on Good Morning America.
"She [Mel B.] told me, 'It's so incredible, you have to enjoy every minute and every moment of it,'" she told co-host Lara Spencer.
Christine Chiu
Christine is bringing luxury glam to the dance floor as the Bling Empire star joins the cast of the celebrity dance competition. The reality star took to Instagram to share her excitement over being a part of the show.
"Let’s get this dance party started! Suuuuppper excited to be shakin’ it on #dwts Season 30. Thank you @dancingabc for making my little girl and big girl dreams come true!" she wrote.
Brian Austin Green
Brian will be dancing his way back into our hearts this season—except this time as himself and not as 90210 heartthrob David Silver.
Since ending the famous California drama series, the actor has gone on to appear in a number of shows including Desperate Housewives and Anger Management. Now, he'll attempt to win over the hearts of America with his (hopefully good) dance moves.
Melora Hardin
Jan is back! The Office star is trading paper supplies for dance shoes as she takes on ballroom dancing. The actress made it Instagram official on Wednesday sharing a string of photos from the set.
"Beyond excited to tell everyone I’ll be competing on this season of @dancingabc Dancing With The Stars! Wish Me luck and I hope everyone tunes in! Can’t wait!" she captioned the post.
Amanda Kloots
Amanda has certainly kept herself busy over the years. Before becoming a co-host on The Talk, the author used to dance, but as life got busy she put the passion aside. Now, after a seven-year hiatus she's returning to the dance floor.
"I’M FREAKING OUT! This is a dream come true! It’s been seven years since I’ve danced and performed," she wrote on Instagram. "In those years, I created a fitness business, became a mom, moved to a new city, went through the worst possible time in my life and then became an author and a talk show host. That girl I knew seven years ago I don’t really know anymore but I’m determined to find her again!"
Martin Kove
Martin is ready to "sweep" the competition away as he gets ready to trade martial arts for the ballroom.
The Kobra Kai star is back on our screens except this time he won't be preaching his martial arts teachings. Now, he'll face the judges of DWTS as he attempts to hit that perfect score.
"Sweep the dance floor! Who’s ready for this? @dancingabc season 30," he announced on Instagram.
Mike "The Miz" Mizanin
The Miz has officially entered the dancing ring! As a WWE household name, he'll ditch the wrestling ring for the dance floor as he prepares to debut his ballroom moves. The TV personality shared his enthusiasm for the competition with his followers on social media.
"I’m learning the Paso Doble, Argentine Tango, Waltz, and Fox Trot are very different moves than a Skull Crushing Finale or Figure Four Leg Lock. Honored and excited to be a part of the Season 30 cast of @dancingabc. Now, let’s get to work," he wrote.
Kenya Moore
This Real Housewives of Atlanta star is ready to bust a move for America. Besides being a reality star, the actress also had the honor of being the second black woman to be crowned Miss USA. She's even dabbled in business, creating the Kenya Moore Hair Care Line. Now, she's ready to dazzle us on the dance floor a passion she indulged in as a child.
"Yaaaayyyyyy! So excited to join the cast of @dancingabc This has been a dream of mine for over 20 years! This is for you @thebrooklyndaly and my late grandmother Doris who introduced me to dancing through a community center in Detroit!" she captioned an Instagram post.
Cody Rigsby
Our favorite Peloton instructor is bringing his energetic and bubbly personality to the dance floor. Rather than work up a sweat cycling, he'll be taking on the tango—or maybe a waltz? His other work has included professional dancing including projects with Katy Perry, Victoria's Secret, Saturday Night, Live, and more.
"So excited to be joining the @dancingabc cast. Let’s go win the mirror ball," he announced to his followers.
Iman Shumpert
The NBA player is stepping off the court to take a spin at winning the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. The athlete made sure to ask his followers if they'd vote for him once he laces those dancing shoes.
"Y’all gone vote fa me?" he wrote.
Who is the host on Dancing With the Stars 2021?
Last year the show - inspired by the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing - underwent some changes, with long-term host Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, who had been a co-host since 2018, both replaced by America’s Next Top Model star Tyra Banks.
Tyra will be back for her second year of hosting, much to the joy of fans who loved her on the show. The America's Next Top Model host is also an executive producer on the hit show.
Ahead of the latest season's premiere, Tyra spoke to TV Insider and hinted about what's coming. "There is something beautiful about doing a retrospect when you hit a milestone year," she said. "At the same time, there are so many new viewers [in season 29], and a retrospect may not resonate with them."
She added cryptically, "So, if we do one, it would have to be for those diehard fans that have been here forever, but not make it so ‘inside baseball’ where the new people don’t know what the heck is going on."
Dancing With The Stars 2021 judges—who are they?
Dancing With The Stars 2020 saw some changes
Len Goodman
Veteran Dancing With The Stars judge, Len Goodman, was forced to miss season 29 of the hit show as travel restrictions, owing to the pandemic, meant he was unable to get to America to film.
The good news is Len, who's been a judge since the first season in 2005, will return once again.
Len, 76, previously missed a season of Dancing With The Stars back in 2015 due to filming commitments with the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing. He was formerly Head Judge of the UK's show before leaving in 2016.
Derek Hough
Derek Hough stepped in for Len Goodman
Although Derek Hough was only stepping in for Len Goodman during season 29, he proved popular with viewers with his “new energy”.
So needless to say, DWTS fans are delighted that he's going to be a judge, just like his sister Julieanne Hough was from seasons 19-24.
Derek found fame on Dancing With The Stars after joining in 2007. Since then he also served as a judge on NBC’s World of Dance competition.
Bruno Tonioli
Bruno Tonioli is usually busy splitting his time between Dancing With The Stars and Strictly Come Dancing, but last year DWTS was his sole focus as the TV star was unable to travel to the UK for filming.
The choreographer has been a hugely popular judge since joining the show so his return was a no brainer for the show's producers.
Carrie Ann Inaba
Carrie Ann Inaba has been a judge on Dancing With The Stars since 2005
World-renowned choreographer Carrie Ann Inaba has had a regular spot at the Judges’ Table since the show launched in 2005, so it’s only right that returns to the panel.
As the only woman on the panel she's sure to add an extra bit of glam to the proceedings and lots of creative flare too!
How many years has Dancing With The Stars Been on?
The competition show is going on its landmark 30th season, but the show premiered its first episode around 16 years ago.
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