ABC unveils twelve contestants for dance competition spinoff

ABC has officially unveiled the 12 contestants set to compete in Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, a new reality competition.

ABC has officially unveiled the 12 contestants set to compete in Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, a new reality competition that will give one talented dancer the opportunity to join Dancing with the Stars as a professional partner for its upcoming season. The spin-off aims to discover the next breakout ballroom star through a demanding audition process featuring rising dancers from diverse backgrounds.

Hosted by reigning Dancing with the Stars champion Robert Irwin, the series will premiere on July 13. Contestants will live together while undergoing intensive training, weekly challenges, and live performances designed to test their technical skills, creativity, and ability to teach celebrity partners. The judging panel will feature veteran ballroom champion Mark Ballas and Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas, alongside a rotating lineup of guest judges and mentors from the DWTS franchise.

The 12 dancers selected for the inaugural season are Erik Linder, Natalie Jolley, Selena Hamilton, Tristen Sanders, Stephani Sosa, Briar Nolet, AJ Pritchard, Adele Zaikman, Allen Genkin, Nina Mayster, Benji Castro, and Jake Monreal. The contestants represent a variety of dance styles, including ballroom, contemporary, Latin, jazz, and commercial dance, bringing a wide range of talent and experience to the competition.

Throughout the season, the aspiring professionals will compete in increasingly difficult routines while receiving guidance from established Dancing with the Stars professionals. Only one contestant will earn the coveted prize of becoming a professional dancer on Season 35 of the hit series, making the competition one of the biggest opportunities for emerging performers in the ballroom world.

The new spin-off expands the Dancing with the Stars franchise by offering fans an exclusive look at the journey aspiring professionals undertake before joining the famous ballroom. Producers hope the series will introduce fresh talent while giving viewers an inside look at the dedication, discipline, and passion required to succeed at the highest level of competitive dance.