Reality television personalities Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller have been confirmed as the first two contestants for the upcoming 35th season of Dancing With the Stars.
New Season Details
The ballroom competition series, which returns to ABC later this year, follows a milestone season where 72 million votes were cast in the finale. The Mirrorball Trophy was awarded to Robert Irwin and his professional partner, Witney Carson.
Higgins, 35, is best known to U.S. audiences for her recent appearance on The Traitors season four, where she reached the final. UK viewers recognise her from I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and Love Island.
Miller, 30, is currently involved in a friendship fallout with Summer House co-star Amanda Batula over her relationship with Miller's ex-boyfriend, West Wilson. A model and nurse, Miller joined the Bravo show in 2021 for its fifth season.
Spin-Off Series Confirmed
In addition to the main show, a rumoured spin-off has been confirmed. Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro will feature 12 dancers competing for a chance to become a professional on the main series. Robert Irwin will host, with judging by Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas. The series premieres July 13 on ABC.
Miller's casting comes amid a Summer House scandal. She dated Wilson in 2023, a relationship that played out on the show. Her close friend Batula announced her separation from husband Kyle Cooke in January, a storyline spanning 10 seasons.
The situation echoes the 2023 "Scandoval" on Vanderpump Rules, where Tom Sandoval had an affair with Rachel Leviss. Ariana Madix, affected by that scandal, later appeared on Dancing With the Stars, finishing third in season 32.
Rob Mills, executive vice president of unscripted for Walt Disney TV, told Variety: "There’s an old phrase: The best way to get over a lover is to dance with a stranger. We really thought this was the perfect opportunity for that. We’re really excited."
