Reality TV stars Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller have been announced as the first two cast members for the upcoming 35th season of Dancing With the Stars. The popular ballroom competition show is set to return to ABC later this year, following a milestone season that saw 72 million votes cast in the finale. The Mirrorball Trophy was awarded to Robert Irwin and his professional partner Witney Carson.
Who Are Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller?
Maura Higgins, 35, is best known to U.S. audiences for her recent appearance on The Traitors season four, where she reached the final. She has long been a familiar face to UK viewers from her appearances on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and Love Island.
Ciara 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 hit show in 2021 for its fifth season.
DWTS Spin-Off Confirmed
In addition to the return of Dancing With the Stars, a rumored spin-off series has been confirmed. Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro will feature 12 dancers competing for a chance to join the main series as the next professional partner for a celebrity. Robert Irwin will host the series, judged by longtime pro dancer Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley Ballas of Strictly Come Dancing. The spin-off premieres July 13 on ABC.
Miller's Casting Amid Summer House Drama
Miller's casting for season 35 of DWTS comes amid a scandal on Summer House that has rocked Bravo. Miller dated West Wilson in 2023, a relationship that played out on the show. Her close friend Amanda Batula announced her separation from her husband of four years, Summer House's Kyle Cooke, in January. Their relationship has been a main storyline throughout the show's 10 seasons.
The situation echoes the 2023 “Scandoval” that rocked another Bravo show, Vanderpump Rules, when it emerged that Tom Sandoval had an affair with castmate Rachel Leviss, despite his long-term relationship with Ariana Madix. Madix later appeared on Dancing With the Stars, finishing in third place on season 32.
Speaking about the parallels between Madix's and Miller's situations, 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.”
