Julianne Hough Reveals Dancing With the Stars' Season 35 Frontrunners
Several Dancing With the Stars contestants are already waltzing their way to the head of the competition.
Just days before the ABC reality series' season 35 debut, cohost Julianna Hough teased which famous faces have impressed her with their fancy footwork.
"We've had some rehearsals," Julianne exclusively told E!'s Justin Sylvester during Live From E!: 2026 Emmys on Sept. 14. "I will say we have the frontrunners, which we've seen." (See every star on the Emmys 2026 red carpet here.)
Among those ballroom talents, Hough listed Jenna Dewan, Harry Shum Jr. and Amber Glenn before adding, "But I will say Taylor Hanson's got some moves and a great head of hair. And Tatyana Ali, she's amazing."
However, the 38-year-old noted it's way too early to call a winner. (Season 35 premieres tomorrow, Sept. 15, on ABC.)
"I think we're gonna have to watch," Julianne encouraged fans. "I think this one's gonna keep us on our toes for sure."
As for which season 35 hopefuls—including Julia Stiles, Jackson Olson, Ciara Miller, Tyler Cameron and more—are most likely to spark dating rumors with their DWTS pro?
Justin put his money on Sarah Jane Nader, who's dancing with female pro Hailey Bills, to which Julianne quipped, "Isn't she dating someone right now?"
But that wasn't the only possible romance bombshell she dropped.
Disney/Ser Baffo
As Julianne, who was previously married to retired NHL player Brooks Laich from 2017 to 2022, coyly added, "I might not be single. There's a lot to discuss off camera."
For now, Julianne is focused on celebrating DWTS' 2026 Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Reality Competition program, especially since the show hasn't been recognized by the academy in recent years. (See the full list of 2026 Emmy winners here.)
"This is our first time we've been nominated in 10 years," she told E!. "We're very excited."
While fans wait for tomorrow's season 35 premiere, keep reading to meet all the celebs competing on Dancing With the Stars.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa
You won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten
Cha-cha-chopping away... The celebrity chef will be turning up the heat this season.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson
What did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart
The former '90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy
Twenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov
The 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach
The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills
After sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold
The comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess
The Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Jackson Olson & Emma Slater
The Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong
The Summer House star is prepping for her turn in the ballrom.
"Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas
The Love Island UK alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience.
"I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."
Don't miss the Emmy Awards 2026 live telecast tonight, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock. E!'s red carpet kicks off at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.
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