Dancing With The Stars Season 32 is finally here. However, there has been plenty of drama surrounding the latest season of the hit ABC reality dancing competition. The cast, judges, hosts, and pro dancers have all made headlines leading up to the season premiere. Here’s what you need to know.
Dancing With The Stars Season 32 drama revealed
The drama surrounding “Dancing With The Stars” Season 32 kicks off with exits from the show. Len Goodman announced his retirement in Season 31 just months before his heartbreaking death. The show will also honor Len during the season. Meanwhile, longtime professional dancer and fan-favorite Cheryl Burke also retired from the show in Season 31. With Len’s judge spot vacated, Cheryl spoke out about wanting to join the show in another aspect, like a judge or co-host. However, that didn’t happen.
In addition, professional dancer Sharna Burgess expected to return to the show following an absence due to giving birth to her first child. However, she also wasn’t asked back. However, Sharna did admit that she had some problems during her previous season on “DWTS,” hinting that she and her partner Jesse Metcalfe had issues between them. “I can be deeply saddened in the fact that I don’t get to be in the ballroom this season, and I can also truly love the show and want to support it and want to cheer them on,” she said, per People.
DWTS was nearly postponed due to strikes
The “Dancing With The Stars” Season 32 cast includes a lot of famous faces, including Britney Spears’ younger sister, Jamie Lynn Spears. Fans went wild when they learned of Jamie Lynn’s casting and were quick to share their thoughts on the matter. Meanwhile, Spears announced that she plans to donate her earnings to the writers and actors guilds.
The recent Hollywood strikes nearly derailed “DWTS” this season. Multiple cast members opted to sit out in solidarity after protesters began to speak out about the situation. However, this week, the writers’ strike ended, and the show opted not to postpone the start of the season.
#DWTS is BACK! Join me in the ballroom for a new season on @ABCNetwork and @DisneyPlus, live at 8/7c! Stream next day on @Hulu. pic.twitter.com/h9pLBeLQdJ
— Derek Hough (@derekhough) September 26, 2023
Big changes coming in Season 32
There are so many changes ahead for “DWTS” Season 32, including Len Goodman’s absence at the judges’ panel. Although the show will honor Len, he will be greatly missed. Of course, the hosts are also different. After watching Tyra Banks host the show in Seasons 30 and 31, she left the series ahead of Season 32.
Former “Dancing With The Stars” judge and pro dancer Julianne Hough is taking over as co-host alongside ex-champion Alfonso Ribiero. In addition, the show is officially back on ABC after airing exclusively on Disney Plus in the past. The premiere kicks off on September 26 at 8 p.m. on ABC and Disney Plus.