A Fresh Start for the DWTS Live Tour

Enthusiastic fans of Dancing With the Stars season 35 have plenty to look forward to, as the production has officially announced the return of its popular nationwide live tour. Following her appearance during the show's "Mariah Carey Night" on Tuesday, October 6, professional dancer Emma Slater shared exciting updates regarding the upcoming series of performances.


According to Slater, the production is set to be bigger than ever. "After a fully sold-out tour, these are the pros who will be joining me when we hit the road in an all-new show directed by the incredible Mandy Moore. And this time, the troupe is joining us!" she stated.


The Star-Studded Cast

The upcoming tour will showcase a talented group of professional dancers. Joining Emma Slater on stage will be:

  • Brandon Armstrong
  • Rylee Arnold
  • Alan Bersten
  • Hailey Bills
  • Sharna Burgess
  • Val Chmerkovskiy
  • Jenna Johnson
  • Ezra Sosa
  • Adele Zaikman
  • Britt Stewart

Additionally, the troupe members accompanying the pros include Kamri Peterson, Onye Stevenson, Jaxon Willard, and Carter Williams.


Reflecting on Personal Journeys

The tour remains a significant event for the dancers, both professionally and personally. For instance, Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson, who previously stepped away from the road for five years, made a triumphant return last season, even bringing their young son, Rome, along for the journey.


Speaking on the experience, Chmerkovskiy noted in 2025, "What a treat to be back on the road and to do it at a time when the show is in its peak again and experiencing this incredible renaissance with a whole new audience."


Artistic Freedom Beyond Television

For the professionals, the live tour serves as a unique creative outlet that differs significantly from the constraints of the television broadcast. Jenna Johnson highlighted that the tour allows them to push their boundaries.


"We are elite at what we do, and to have the opportunity to dance with each other and really exercise our choreography and our brains, it’s such a treat for us," Johnson explained. "We prioritize the celebrities during the season, and the tour is an opportunity for the pros to do what we do best. It’s such a creative space. We get to partner with each other on such a high level."


Dancing With the Stars season 35 continues to air on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.