As a ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pro, Rylee Arnold Is Making Her Mark

Rylee Arnold was destined to become a Dancing With the Stars professional dancer. Having been on the cast for four years now, she’s learned a lot about herself.

Rylee’s older sister, Lindsay Arnold, appeared on DWTS as a pro for 11 seasons, winning season 25 with Jordan Fisher in 2017. One year later, Rylee joined the show’s family alongside her sibling on Dancing With the Stars: Juniors, the spinoff that spotlighted younger stars and dancers.

Rylee became the first Juniors alum to join the main cast in 2023 for season 32, at a mere 18 years old, also making her the youngest pro ever cast. She tells The Hollywood Reporter she graduated high school a month before she was offered the job, and she’s grateful for that early career opportunity.

“I feel like looking back at that time, I was a completely different person,” she says. “But I also love that Rylee so much, because I feel like she went through a lot and she learned a lot about herself. And because of that, I’m here now.”

Fast forward a few years, and Rylee has undoubtedly contributed to the show’s resurgence, by becoming the first pro to utilize social media to garner fan attention and also entice a younger audience to watch. And that intrigue hasn’t slowed down; if anything, it’s rising as each new episode comes out, and as the DWTS pros and celebrities post new pieces of content, inviting audiences into their world.

Below, Rylee chats with THR about her journey to the main series after Juniors, what she’s learned in her last four years on the show, her season 35 partnership with Connor Wood and what to expect on Viral Hits Night.

You were on Juniors before the mainstay Dancing With the Stars, but I would love for you to talk about the pathway to you becoming a pro, because I know you graduated high school just a few months before you joined the cast.

I was on Dancing With the Stars: Juniors when I was 13 years old, and doing that experience made me want to even more be on the big kids show. I watched my sister for years from that point forward and learned as much as I could. But really, my last three years of high school, I was like, okay, my goal is to get on Dancing With the Stars. Who knows when it’s gonna be? Because you never know if they’re looking for new pros, and you can’t go on the show until you’re 18, so I really locked in my last three years of high school and worked super hard.

Then I turned 18, and I got in contact with the casting director, and they did a Zoom call with me, and we talked about things, and then they hired me on the show. I had just graduated high school like a month before that, so I moved to L.A. with two weeks’ time, and was down here at 18, and did my very first season. It was crazy. I feel like looking back at that time, I was a completely different person. But I also love that Rylee so much, because I feel like she went through a lot and she learned a lot about herself and how to be in this world and work with people. And because of that, I’m here now, and I’m so happy with how everything went.

This is your fourth year as a pro. What do you think is the greatest thing you’ve learned over these past four years?

Before I came on the show, a big one was knowing your personal value and that nobody is like you, so to stay true to yourself, because that’s how you’re going to shine the most. But I would say just staying in your lane. I think there’s a lot of times where you find yourself comparing yourself to others, and especially just in this dance industry, you always do. Being able to stay in your lane and focus on yourself is where you’re going to have the most success and grow in your own way.That’s all that really matters; is making sure you’re good, making sure you’re in the right headspace, and staying in your lane.

There’s been so many additions from the Dancing With the Stars: Juniors family to the main show. Kamri [Peterson] is in the troupe, Hailey [Bills] was just upped to pro; what has it been like taking on the main show alongside the people you had this Juniors experience with?

It’s honestly amazing. I love having these young Gen Zers come in. It is making rehearsals so fun. Not that they weren’t fun before, but having common ground with your friends in rehearsals is just so much fun. Kamri’s literally living in the same apartment building as me, and I feel like she’s like my little sister. Even when she was on Juniors, she was like 10 years old. Like, she was little, so it’s really really cool to see her on the show, and Hailey as well. We grew up dancing together. It’s, like, bringing back my life a while ago. But I love it, it’s so fun.

If the showrunners came to you and said, “We’re thinking about doing another season of Juniors, and we want you to be a mentor,” what would you say?

Absolutely, yes. Like, absolutely. Lindsay always tells me it was her favorite thing to do, because you don’t have to stress about dancing, and you just have these cute kids that you can mentor and help.

Before season 35, you did a collaboration with HydroJug. Everybody thought the snake skin [style in your collab] was a hint that you were going to be partnered with Rob [Rausch] from The Traitors. What was your reaction when everyone was speculating so deep into your partner, and what is that like; to have people speculate so far into your life now with how big DWTS has got?

I honestly thought it was so funny that people thought that, because at that point, I knew I was with Connor, so I honestly thought it was so hilarious that they thought Rob was gonna do the show. I fear I don’t think he would do it, but maybe he would (laughs). It was hilarious, and it is crazy. Like, little things like that: We were planning the HydroJug [collaboration], honestly, a year and a half ago. It’s been in the works for a long time, so the fact that people think that was an Easter egg [is crazy], but I love it. I love that people can catch onto those things so fast, but no, obviously it wasn’t a hint. But I love that people thought it was.

What did you know of Connor before he became your celebrity partner this season?

I would see his podcast clips all the time on my For You Page. His main one that I loved so much was “I have purse” (laughs). He is just so funny. Every single video he posts, he’s just a random, funny person. Even in rehearsal, he just says the most random things. I’m like, “How how are you just so witty?” But it’s just his natural [state].

I have seen a lot of viewers say they think Connor is bringing a different side out of you. What side do you think Connor is bringing out of you as a pro?

I feel like he’s allowing me to be a really great teacher, but he’s also just a really good student. He is working so hard. I can be tough on him because he doesn’t have an ego, and he’s excited to be there. He’s so grateful for the experience, and it’s rare that you can get that. He’s allowing me to really excel as a teacher, because he’s taking everything I’m teaching him and applying it to his dancing. But also, he’s making me so happy. I’m genuinely having such a fun season, and I feel like I’m just glowing and I’m just happy because I’m having so much fun.

You are no stranger to the social media world. Do you think that you and Connor’s shared understanding of the social media world has bonded you two closer?

Absolutely. I mean, the TikToks come so easily, but it’s also just every single moment that we have in rehearsal is just a good TikTok (laughs). But it is really nice to have somebody that understands that world and understands how important it is to post. Times have really changed, so to have someone that agrees with me on all of it and is on the same wavelength is really nice.

Looking back on premiere night with Connor, what was the best part about that night?

After we finished the dance, I remember looking at Connor and we were both beaming. After we got our scores and went backstage, no joke, we were in this hallway. No one was around, we’re just skipping. We’re like, “We are so happy. We freaking did that!” Because it is so nerve-wracking going into the premiere. You don’t know what’s going to happen. So to go and successfully do it and feel good about how everything went is just so relieving.

Your sister was also there last Tuesday night. She did the TikTok live with Sasha. She’s been doing more things with the Dancing With the Stars family lately; do you ever think there would be a world where Lindsay would potentially come back as a pro?

I don’t know. I mean, never say never. But Lindsay also has three kids now, and she’s really settled into her life, and she’s also like a boss woman. She is doing so many amazing things right now, so I mean, never say never. But yeah, we’ll have to see. I feel like no, but I also don’t know. I would love that so much, though. Like, if she was on the season with me, that would make my life so fun.

Next week is going to be Viral Hits Night. What do guys have in store?

We are going to be dancing a tango to “12 to 12” by Sombr. It’s a very different vibe from week one, which showed how fun Connor is. This [dance is] going to be serious and very intense. I feel like no one has seen that side of Connor, like, ever. We’re gonna have to find an alter ego for him, I’m really excited.

Who do you think will be the next person from Dancing With the Stars: Juniors to join the main series cast, be that on the troupe or as a pro one day?

Ooh, well, Kamri’s on troupe right now, but I have a good feeling she’s going to be a pro next season.

Oh, next season, really?

I can totally see it. She’s a shining star.

What is your favorite part of a full week of Dancing With the Stars; the choreography process, teaching/rehearsing, dress rehearsals, or live show day?

The live show day. As much as it is crazy, it’s also so much fun, and the feeling you get after you dance and kill it is unmatched.

How do you help keep your celebrities’ nerves down and prepare them before they hit the ballroom floor?

It’s really important to compose your emotions and not let them feel like you’re stressed. So always reassure them, be by them, and I love to always say, “It’s just me and you out there.”

What is the hardest style of dance to teach a celebrity?

A samba is really tough, and a cha-cha is really hard as well.

What is your favorite number you have choreographed on Dancing With the Stars so far?

My freestyle with Stephen [Nedoroscik], my second season on Dance With the Stars. That one will just always be embedded in my brain. It was amazing.

Who is your dream celebrity dance partner?

I always say Justin Bieber. I mean, that’s really shooting for the stars. But come on, I think they could hand us a mirrorball immediately.

What pro should become a judge one day in the future?

I feel like Sharna would be a really good judge. Last season, she would rate our dances and kind of give us critiques. The things she said, I actually took into my rehearsals the next week, because she really had such valid points that helped us.

Before you joined Dancing With the Stars, which pro was the closest to you, other than your sister, that was most excited for you [when you got cast]?

At the time, me, Lindsay and Sasha were all in L.A., and I remember we were talking about the fact that I had a Zoom interview, and I was like, “Oh, I wonder if I’ll get on,” and Sasha was with us. I honestly feel like Sasha was the first person that me and Lindsay told because we did it together.

I think it was written in the stars that you would be a pro one day, but what would you have done if you hadn’t [become a pro] then?

Honestly, I signed up for esthetician school before I [got cast], so I was definitely interested in that. But honestly, I didn’t have a plan B. I worked my tail off to be ready to be a pro on Dancing With the Stars. I think I would have gone to college and explored that route, kept dancing, and hopefully would have gotten on at some point. But that would have been sad.

Describe Dancing With the Stars season 35 in just one word.

Epic.

What other hopes do you have for the rest of Dancing With the Stars season 35?

I am genuinely so happy. I feel so settled this year. I feel so confident in my work and who I am. I hope these vibes can just stay exactly the way they are, but I feel like they will.

Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m., simulcasting across ABC and Disney+, and streaming the next day on Hulu. Read all of The Hollywood Reporter‘s DWTS coverage here.