The Dancing With the Stars premiere has finally arrived. Starting the 29th season since its 2005 debut, this time around the ABC classic is shaking things up.
Supermodel and America's Next Top Model star Tyra Banks signed on as both an executive producer and host, replacing the show's original host, Tom Bergeron. The news of Tyra's entrance to the franchise came soon after Tom announced via social media that he had been fired as host. Replacing Tom with America's Got Talent veteran Tyra is just one of the many changes ABC and production are implementing this time around. Erin Andrews, Tom's co-host since season 18, was also let go. The judging panel, which has remained relatively unchanged since the series' debut, is also filled with fresh faces this season. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli are staying on, but Len Goodman has left the show due to illness and COVID-19 travel complications. Derek Hough, a six-time winning dancer on the show and brother of actress and dancer Julianne Hough, will be replacing Len on the judges' desk.
Season 29 of Dancing With The Stars will premiere live September 14 at 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. CT on ABC, and will continue to air every Monday night. Week two will be the first live audience vote, as audiences are not eligible to vote during the premiere episode. For the duration of the season, viewers at home can only vote during the live broadcast in the Eastern and Central time zones. The 15-member celebrity cast has been announced, and like always, there's some fanfare and controversy at the roll call.
This season's celebrity contestants include big names from sports, music, film, and more. From sports, we have Superbowl champ Vernon Davis, Coach Monica Aldama from Netflix's Cheer, NBA star Charles Oakley, and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir. The musicians include Backstreet Boy AJ McLean and Grammy-winning rapper Nelly. Disney star Skai Jackon, One Day at a Time actress Justina Machado, and Desperate Housewives' Jesse Metcalfe are the actors joining the group. Reality or unscripted stars Carole Baskin (Tiger King), The Bachelorette's Kaitlyn Bristowe, The Real host Jeannie Mai, Catfish host Nev Schulman, and Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause round out the list.
The stellar lineup and personnel changes are bound to launch Dancing With the Stars into a season unlike any other, and only time will tell if that's a good thing.