A brand new bombshell and a “Summer House” star have officially entered the “Dancing With the Stars” ballroom.
During Hulu’s Get Real House event on April 22, “DWTS” hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough announced that Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller are officially the first celebrities competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy for Season 35.
“I’m a strong believer in manifesting. I had it on my vision board,” Higgins said about being part of “DWTS.” “And now it is happening, which I cannot believe, and I know it’s going to be so, so hard. But because I really want to do it, I’m going to put my all into it.”
While she’s “nervous,” she said she’s “excited” to compete.
Miller also expressed her excitement. She was not in person but shared via video that she “had some unfinished business” in New York City that she “needed to wrap up.”
“But I am so excited to join Season 35 of ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ I feel like this is the perfect moment. I feel like I’m opening a new chapter, and I’m so excited to share it with all of you guys,” she said. “Can’t wait to put my energy on the dance floor, and Maura I can’t wait to share the dance floor with my fellow faithful. See you soon.”
Expected to return to the judges table are Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.
Last season saw record-breaking numbers when it came to viewership and online voting. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson ultimately came out on top, becoming the Season 34 champions. Social media star Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy came in second place.
Irwin was also announced as the host of a “DWTS” spinoff, “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.” The reigning “DWTS” champion and wildlife conservationist along with former dancer Shirley Ballas, who will be a judge alongside son Mark Ballas, introduced the show and shared the first look.
In “The Next Pro,” for the first time in “DWTS” history, 12 dancers will compete for a spot as the next professional dancer on the ABC competition show. They will be joined by a star-studded lineup of returning pros who will serve as rotating mentors/guest judges, according to the press release.
“Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro” will premiere July 13 on ABC.
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