The sequins are polished. The ballroom floor is buffed to a high shine. ABC has finally dropped the official celebrity roster for Dancing with the Stars Season 35, and it is a wild mix of Olympic dominance, viral internet stars, and reality TV heavyweights. As expected, producers leaned heavily into the afterglow of the recent Paris Olympic Games. But while some gold medalists are already practicing their frame, several fan-favorite athletes were left completely out in the cold.
The Olympic Gold Rush on the Dance Floor
Athletes have always had a massive advantage on the show. Their discipline, muscle memory, and competitive drive make them natural contenders for the Mirrorball Trophy. This season, the casting department went all out to secure some of the biggest names from the summer games.
Headline act Gabby Thomas, who swept three gold medals on the track in Paris, leads the pack. She is trading her running spikes for ballroom heels. “I’ve spent my whole life training to run as fast as possible in a straight line,” Thomas joked during her reveal on Good Morning America. “Now I have to learn how to move sideways in two-inch heels. It is absolutely terrifying, but I’m ready.”
Joining Thomas is 16-year-old gymnastics sensation Hezly Rivera. As the youngest member of the gold-winning U.S. women’s gymnastics team, Rivera brings incredible flexibility and a massive teen fanbase. History is on her side, too. Gymnasts like Shawn Johnson and Laurie Hernandez have previously won the competition, making Rivera an instant frontrunner.
The Surprising Breakout Athletes
It is not just Olympic heroes taking the stage this autumn. The show has tapped into other sports leagues to keep sports fans tuned in on Monday nights.
- Jason Kelce: The recently retired NFL legend and podcast giant finally said yes after years of rumors. His charismatic, high-energy personality is a perfect match for the Latin rounds.
- Bobby Finke: The gold-medal distance swimmer is swapping the quiet pool for the noisy ballroom, testing whether his famous late-race endurance can translate to a fast-paced jive.
The Shocking Snubs That Left Fans Angry
Every year, the cast announcement brings as much disappointment as it does excitement. Social media quickly lit up with complaints about who did not make the cut this time around.
The biggest disappointment for many was the absence of Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec. The silver medalist became a viral sensation for his ultra-casual, hand-in-pocket shooting style. Internet campaigns begged producers to sign him up. Rumors suggested brief talks occurred, but the logistics of bringing the Turkish star to Los Angeles for three months ultimately fell through.
Another major miss is soccer star Mallory Swanson. The USWNT forward, who scored the gold-medal-winning goal in Paris, was reportedly high on ABC’s wishlist. Her omission left soccer fans frustrated.
“Swanson’s absence is a classic case of scheduling conflicts,” explained television industry analyst Rebecca Miller. “The NWSL season runs straight through the autumn. For active professional soccer players, committing to a grueling daily rehearsal schedule in Los Angeles is simply impossible. The show usually has to wait until athletes retire or find a rare gap in their playing schedules.”
How the Season 35 Competition Shapes Up
With rehearsals already underway in Los Angeles, the pressure is on. The professional dancers have their work cut out for them. Training a world-class athlete is different from training an actor or a singer. Athletes often struggle to let go of their rigid, functional movements to embrace the artistic expression required in dances like the rumba or the waltz.
Still, sports bookmakers are already placing high odds on the athletic contingent. The physical stamina required to survive the double-dance weeks later in the season gives them a massive edge over their Hollywood counterparts. Time will tell if track speed, gymnastics precision, or raw football power will claim the next Mirrorball Trophy.
