There has been a shake up in the judging panel for the first ever season of DWTS: The Next Pro. Though the main show typically features Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba, the spin off features mother-son duo Shirley Ballas and Mark Ballas. Allegedly, the network has promoted a DWTS: The Next Pro judge for Season 35 of the main show, here’s everything we know.
Shirley Ballas Reportedly Signs on to Dancing With the Stars Judging Role
Shirley Ballas may be heading to America soon for the next season of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. As revealed by The Sun, Ballas may be flying back and forth between America and the UK this fall to join the DWTS judging panel, while also keeping her role as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing.
“The American audience love having a no-nonsense Brit on the panel, after all the UK is the home of ballroom so we’re still as the authority,” The Sun’s source revealed. “That’s why Len Goodman, who was also a Strictly judge, was on the panel from 2005 to 2022 and was incredibly well-liked in the role.”
According to the source, Ballas would be entirely following in Goodman’s footsteps. Producers on the other hand are convinced she’d make the role her own. At the time, the source says “discussions are still early in the stages.”
SHOP TALENT RECAP MERCH:
It’s worth noting, Ballas never judged alongside Len Goodman on Strictly Come Dancing. She did judge alongside Bruno Tonioli from 2017 to 2019. Tonioli had been on the show since its inception in 2004 before leaving the panel in May 2022.
Who is Confirmed for Dancing With the Stars Season 35?
We are nearly days ahead of the cast announcement for Dancing With the Stars Season 35. At the time of writing, four celebrities have been confirmed for the ballroom, alongside two professional dancers, Witney Carson and Sharna Burgess. Confirmed celebrity cast members are Ciara Miller, Maura Higgins, Jackson Olsen, and Guillermo Rodriguez.
There are tons of rumors swirling regarding this season’s cast. Many believe celebrities like Tatyana Ali, Ezra French, Conner Leavitt, Taylor Hanson, Amber Glenn, Harry Shum Jr., Sarah Jane Nader, Connor Wood, Giada Di Laurentiis, and Julia Styles will be in the ballroom this fall.
SHOP TALENT RECAP MERCH:
Recently, a US Weekly source confirmed both actress Jenna Dewan and Bachelorette star Tyler Cameron will compete. The official cast announcement for Dancing With the Stars Season 35 will take place on Good Morning America on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
