‘Dancing With the Stars’ Returns for Season 35 With Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins as First Celebrity Contestants

The long-running dance competition series Dancing With the Stars has been renewed for its 35th season, set to air this fall, with reality television personalities Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins announced as the first celebrity contestants.

The announcement was made at Wednesday’s Get Real event, according to Variety.

Miller, known for Summer House, and Higgins, a breakout star from The Traitors, will join the new season as the show continues to blend reality TV fame with ballroom competition.

Seasoned hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro are set to return, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli will continue as judges. The full celebrity lineup and professional dance pairings have yet to be announced.

Last season saw wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson win the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, defeating influencer Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy in the finale.

Miller’s casting comes amid renewed media attention following revelations of a past romantic relationship between her ex-boyfriend West Wilson and her former friend and co-star Amanda Batula, both also associated with Summer House. She also appeared on Season 3 of The Traitors.

Speaking recently to Glamour, Miller said she remains grateful for reality television, crediting it with shaping her career and personal growth.

“I feel like I’ve met my greatest friends from reality TV… It’s made me change in the best of ways,” she said, adding that it also helped her achieve financial milestones, including supporting her family.

Higgins, who finished second on Season 4 of The Traitors, is also known for her appearances on Love Island UK, as well as hosting spin-off formats including Love Island USA: Aftersun.

Confident about her reality TV journey, Higgins previously said she was certain she would win The Traitors before ultimately finishing runner-up. “I was that sure,” she said in a past interview, adding that she took the outcome in stride.

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