Dancing with the Stars Preseason
Season 35 is upon us and before the stars hit the ballroom I want to share my opinions on each couple, make my first elimination and finalist predictions, and note what theme nights I am looking forward to seeing this season!
The Couples
Before I get into specific pairings let me just say this cast seems to be maybe the most stacked group of stars we have seen in a long time. And not necessarily in terms of star power, but in the level of skill I think we can expect to see! The past few seasons have had a good balance of skill and personality and have done a lot of leg work to bring this show back into the fold with the younger audience. I think this cast is ready to live up to the hype on and off the dance floor.
Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik
First and foremost, I am ecstatic to see Jan back on our screens. I hope this season gives him the chance to really showcase his abilities as a choreographer and teacher. He has the personality to keep us interested, but I think a lot of people are still waiting for him to prove himself as a pro.
While I’m not the most familiar with her, I’m hoping to be impressed by Tatyana. I hope she can match Jan’s energy and ends up being a bit of a sleeper surprise this season. If nothing else we need to see her and Alfonso dance together, right?
I fear some bigger star names and more seasoned pros might edge them out, but I don’t see them leaving anytime soon!
Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess
Let me throw this out there, I am not a Bachelor/Bachelorette watcher, so I had no idea who this man was. But from what I can gather, he seems like a sweetheart! Past celebrities from the franchise have shown they not only have the abilities, but the fanbase to keep them around!
Queen Sharna herself is reentering the ballroom, and this time as a blonde! We have seen her work her magic before so even a glimpse of hope from Tyler would make them a highly competitive couple.
Depending on how much the Bachelorette fan base rallies, I can see them making it close to the semifinal on that alone.
Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten
I’ve got $5 on Giada dramatically saying an Italian word that someone asks her to repeat because they have no idea what she is saying during the premiere. We know her personality, we love her personality. But I am a bit concerned because from what I have seen so far, I can see her being a little stiff. I hope she can relax into and embrace the experience. Also…Ratatouille for Disney Night?
Alan has proven her knows how to make his stars shine! Elaine and him were winners in my heart last season and I am excited to see what he comes up with this season.
Overall, not my front runners and I have concern over her fanbase showing up and showing out long enough to keep her around past maybe the first couple of weeks.
Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy
Every season needs their star with a controversial amount of dance experience. Let me just say, I don’t care! Unless they are a highly competitive ballroom dancer in the prime, dance experience does not bother me that much. That being said, we know she’s going to be good so I will be really looking for her to wow me.
In a similar vein we are all aware of what a pro Val is. His choreography and teaching capabilities are always impressive, so I’m hoping he pushes what they can do as well.
I think everyone has them as ringers for the finale, but I won’t be surprised by a Whitney Leavitt-esque boot due to the anti-dance experience crowd.
Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach
A Paralympian gold medalist? Yes. Please. From what I have seen Ezra already has the audience swooning and excited to see what he can do. He has shared a lot of information over his capabilities and limitations related to his disability which I hope is considered by both fans and judges alike.
The Ferrari herself has a challenge out in front of her, and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with this season. I’ll be interested to see how she adapts to Ezra while still delivering the impressive choreography we love from her.
The gathering fanbase combined with Dani’s existing one will certainly get them far, but I could expect them to be beaten out of the finale by bigger stars.
Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov
Figure skaters have a stunning track record on Dancing with the Stars, and I am expecting Amber to end up there with the likes of Meryl Davis. We know the girl is a high-level performer, and her personality has already garnered a healthy fanbase. My hopes are high that she is given the screentime to bring in those maybe less familiar with her off the ice.
Pasha is one of the pros we have seen ‘pay his dues’. Seeing him getting a young, capable woman is refreshing to some of his past partnerships. He’s wowed us before and I think we can expect some not just impressive, but technically clean choreography from him this season.
With all this being said, why do I not see more people out there talking about this partnership? It feels wrong to call them underdogs in any sense, but I cannot fathom the lack of excitement I have seen for these two. Finale potential in my option, but I would not be surprised by an upset vote in their future.
Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart
While I cannot claim being an OG Hanson fan (00s baby here), I have had MMMBop on repeat since seeing this cast announcement. For the newer audience I think this announcement was a bit lacking in excitement at first but seeing some behind the scenes sneak peeks, I think we have some real leading man potential on our hands here!
Another pro we’ve been waiting to see really shine is Britt. With almost all of her finishes being 10th place or lower, it was about time! I think we can expect a lot from her this season in terms of performance, and I see this being an opportunity for her to really shine as a pro.
I know everyone’s hungry for a Britt finale freestyle and people, this is our chance! I hope fans pull through on this one, but our girl’s been unlucky before. I see strong 4th place potential here!
Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas
I have seen nothing but love going around for Maura joining the cast this year. She is another one I could see being a little stiff, but capable! If she can throw herself at this competition I think we can expect some impressive skill to emerge here.
We love to see Mark on that dance floor. His choreography is never toned down, and I don’t expect anything else this season. Given the right partner, his abilities as a pro alone are usually enough to blow everyone else out of the water.
I expect their preexisting friendship to meld beautifully into a partnership, and I have no doubts about their combined fanbases. If Maura can bring the skill level to match Mark’s training, semifinal potential for sure!
Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman
I have seen Conner thrown around a lot in terms of ‘is this person really as star?’ and just as I feel about dance experience, I don’t care! Conner showed us last year how fun and willing he really is, and I see him fully embracing the show and its process. From what I have seen from behind the scenes though, I am a little concerned.
There is nothing to snuff at in terms of Adele’s skills, but I have heard mixed reviews in terms of her teaching abilities. She has a star who seems driven and willing, so it’s up to her to learn the ins and outs of being a pro on the show.
Maybe the SLOMW fans will surprise me, but I don’t see this couple going far. It honestly feels like a ‘trial run’ for Adele as a pro more than anything. But with a cast this large I don’t need everyone to be fantastic; I just want them to be fun!
Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong
I am excited, if apprehensive, to see what Ciara can do this season. I have seen the classic concern of stiffness from fans so far, but I really don’t think we will know until we see her on the floor. I can see her sneaking up on us with some impressive skill this season. I do find her fanbase to be a bit narrower than if not overlapping with other celebrities and thus arises concern about the votes not being concentrated enough.
Another pro who keeps sticking it out for us, Brandon is back and with a lot of potential this season. We have seen him be a stern and focused teacher who can deliver just jaw dropping dances. If Ciara can be receptive to his training, I think we can expect some beautiful dances.
After Brandon’s ‘gone too soon’ boot from last season, the fan base is the most concerning part here for me. We are due for another Brandon freestyle! I just don’t know if this will be the matchup to get him there.
Sarah Jane Nader & Haily Bills
Another occurrence ‘is this person a star or not’ here in Sarah Jane. The only thing I know about her is Brooks’ appearance on DWTS so I’m trying to keep my expectations unbiased. It can really go one of two ways: either what everyone is expecting in a lacking performance, or she will surprise us all with some impressive moves.
Another first time pro, Haily, has challenge ahead of her for her first season. As only the third same sex pairing to be on the show she not only has to learn how to teach but now must adapt the dance styles AND combat public opinion.
While Conner and Adele’s partnership feels like a trial run, this pairing feels misguided and frankly unfair to both of them. I have high hopes but won’t be surprised if we see an early boot here.
Jackson Olson & Emma Slater
Talk about social media relevance. Jacksons background as a Savannah Banana shows us he is willing to embrace this experience. If he can really focus in on technique and isn’t impeded by his high demand schedule, I think some impressive dancing can be expected from him this season.
Emma has said it herself; this is her first partner in their 20s! Not to snuff at her past partnerships, our girl does have a Mirrorball under her belt, but it’s been a while since we have gotten to see what she can really do. I really hope we see her pushing her choreography and Jackson’s abilities this season.
Fans seem convinced that the Savannah Banana fans will rally to support them, but his regular traveling is a concern of mine. We have seen talented dancers taken out too soon before due to having to juggle demanding schedules. Not first boots for sure, but I don’t know if they’ll go the distance.
Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson
I see a lot of commentary saying Guillermo will be the ‘Andy Ritcher’ of this season. While I think he will be undeniably fun personality wise, I don’t see him quite achieving the same level of love from the fans. This is classic Dancing with the Stars casting that we have seen go many ways over the years.
Witney is a force to be reckoned with as a professional. That being said, I think it’s a little distasteful to cast her while she’s going into her second trimester of pregnancy. I am not questioning her capabilities, but in terms of public opinion it really paints a picture for more shallow fans to write her off for this season.
While this pairing might have been well meaning on behalf of production, I think it is unfair to both of them. Is this surface level an easy early boot? Yes. But to essentially directly say that to the pro and star themselves feels insulting. I don’t see the fans rally how they did last year and expect a very early elimination here.
Harry Shum Jr & Jenna Johnson
As a Gleek myself I cannot wait to see this man on my dance floor. Like Jenna Dewan he is undeniably going to be good, so I am looking for a wow factor! He is going to need to not just push but really step into a leading man role to live up to the hype already generated.
The Jenna vs Val showdown this season will be interesting to watch. Both have stars with some level of experience, so I will be watching to see which one of them really pushes past just being good to blow the other out of the water.
Another finale softball in terms of fan opinion. Frankly, I agree! I hope his route on the show follows Glee alumni Amber Riley instead of the booted too soon Heather Morris.
Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa
Let me just say, I will be biased here! 10 Things I hate About You is my favorite movie of all time and Julia is huge reason for that being so. From the sneak peeks we have gotten, our girl can move and I see her holding up against the intense competition of the season.
Our man Ezra paid his dues his first season and I appreciate production giving him back-to-back opportunities to shine. His freestyle last year was revolutionary for this show, and his social media impact is remarkable. I expect a lot from him this season and we can expect to be highly impressed.
To be frank, these are my front runners on both a personal and realistic level. I’ll say now, anything besides making the finale will be considered a robbery.
Conner Wood & Rylee Arnold
To be honest, I had no idea who this man was at the initial cast announcement. Looking into him a bit, he seems fun! I was concerned about his movement initially, but sneak peeks show he can actually move! I’m even seeing some of Bruno’s beloved hip action going on. I have seen his niche of the internet coming out of the woodwork, we’ll just have to see if they turn up to vote!
Another fun partnership for Rylee! While I like her choreography I feel like she sometimes doesn’t highlight her star enough. If she can step up this year, I think they could pull off some good dances! I think she is consistently improving and has so much more to give as a pro.
I will be interested in the involvement of this fanbase. He seems charismatic but I don’t know if that will be enough to pull in some fans from the larger stars. They don’t seem like first eliminations, but I’m not feeling a finale either.
Predictions
First Eliminations
Female Stars
This comes down to either Giada or Sara Jane for me. I don’t think either one will be necessarily bad by any means, but I do think they have two of the smallest/most niche fanbases in comparison to other female stars.
Male Stars
Guillermo is the easy first out as I said previously. In the event of an upset, Conner Leavitt or Tyler Cameron may make an early out. If the reality TV fanbases pull through, I worry about Taylor Hanson.
Finalists
I have heard rumors of a six-person finale (yuck) but I’ll make my predictions based on the four-person finale we are used to.
The most likely lineup is:
Jenna Dewan
Julia Stiles
Amber Glenn
Harry Shum Jr.
But I wouldn’t be surprised to see
Taylor Hanson
Maura Higgins
Ezra Frech
Tatyana Ali
And if they sneak in there, I won’t be mad:
Ciara Miller
Jackson Olson
Tyler Cameron
Connor Wood
Honestly this season has so much potential that I cannot make a fair guess before we see their moves in the ballroom. That being said, my totally biased top 4 would be…
Julia Stiles
Harry Shum Jr.
Ezra Frech
Amber Glenn
Themes
Just to be clear, I love themes! I always have! I feel like they still showcase technical capabilities while giving us a fun through line to each episode. I’ll say Disney Night, Halloween, and Dedication Night are all but guaranteed but I have feelings about a few others.
Latin Night
The closest we have to a non-theme theme night. I think it pleases both sides while delivering solid dances.
Musical Theater Night
I would love this! Give us Broadway, bring back more jazz dances, and let us see the competitors really step into some iconic roles.
Dolly Parton Night
Sorry y’all but I think it’s unlikely. With a ringer like 9 to 5 being performed night 1 I do not see us getting a fully dedicated Dolly night. I do expect at least a dedication dance from the pros/troupe and could see us getting a…
Country Music Night
I wouldn’t be mad by any means, but I could do without personally. I think it would be a softball and take away from the mor unique themes they seem to be leaning into.
Tik Tok Night
I love the clock app as much as anyone else but honestly please no, we do not need this. It was fun, it was campy, I hope it was a one off.
Overall, I am all in for Season 35! The cast has some serious skill potential, and the personalities as always are going to be so much fun to watch. I have some reservations in terms of production (once again please, no six-person finale) but I keep coming back and watching for the performers themselves.
Every week I will be debriefing each episode and giving my (moderately biased) reviews of the dances, what I thought of the elimination, and predications for the following week.
