‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 31 on Disney+: Everything to Know About the New Episodes

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

'Dancing With the Stars' Season 31 on Disney+: Everything to Know About the New Episodes

Hitting the dance floor — on a different platform. Season 31 of Dancing With the Stars will premiere in fall 2022 on Disney+ after more than a decade on ABC. “The show’s broad appeal, as well as the overwhelming popularity of its Disney-themed competition nights, make Disney+ the perfect home for Dancing with the Stars while continuing to expand our demographic reach,” Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution chairman Kareem Daniel said in a statement in April 2022 when the news was first announced, making it the first live series to debut on the streaming service. “As we’re significantly expanding our unscripted slate at ABC, this is a great opportunity to introduce this show to a whole new generation of fans on Disney+,” Walt Disney Chairman of Entertainment Dana Walden said in the press release, adding that DWTS has brought “so much joy to millions of viewers” during its time on the air. Despite the sudden move, DWTS' judges and professional dancers were quick to share their excitement for the new format with fans. "It’s an exciting new chapter for the show and for the streaming world in general. Now the west coast can vote in real-time. I’m excited for the show possibilities over at Disney+ and am daydreaming about how we’re going to pull of quick changes and set changes with no commercial breaks!” Cheryl Burke told Us Weekly exclusively in May 2022. "I think it’s great that we’ll have an opportunity for potential new fans to discover us and know that this change will give our loyal followers from over the last 30 seasons something to look forward to as well. Just imagine what Disney Night on DWTS will look like now?!" [jwplayer rjKy7b5o-zhNYySv2] Pro-turned-judge Derek Hough echoed those sentiments later that month, telling Entertainment Tonight that though he was initially confused by the announcement, "within 10 seconds, I was very, very excited about it. I think that's where a lot of things are moving toward." He continued, "It's more opportunity for more performances, more dances, more creativity so I'm excited about that too." Also making the move to Disney+ is Tyra Banks, who will be joined by season 19 winner Alfonso Ribiero as hosts for the new season. “Dancing with the Stars has been such an important part of my life for so many years, and I am ecstatic to officially re-join this tight-knit family as cohost,” the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum said in a statement in July 2022. “Tyra and I have a longstanding friendship that I hope will resonate with all of the fans at home as we kick off this new season on Disney+." The supermodel, for her part, gushed about her new cohost shortly after the news was announced. "I’ve known Alfonso since I was 19 years old and he always puts a smile on my face whenever I see him,” Banks said in a statement at the time. “Having such a fun-loving, longtime friend as cohost warms my heart. Bantering back and forth with him live is going to be so much fun!" Keep scrolling to learn more about season 31 of Dancing With the Stars ahead of its fall 2022 premiere: [podcast_block]

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

'Dancing With the Stars' Season 31 on Disney+: Everything to Know About the New Episodes

Hitting the dance floor — on a different platform. Season 31 of Dancing With the Stars will premiere in fall 2022 on Disney+ after more than a decade on ABC. “The show’s broad appeal, as well as the overwhelming popularity of its Disney-themed competition nights, make Disney+ the perfect home for Dancing with the Stars while continuing to expand our demographic reach,” Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution chairman Kareem Daniel said in a statement in April 2022 when the news was first announced, making it the first live series to debut on the streaming service. “As we’re significantly expanding our unscripted slate at ABC, this is a great opportunity to introduce this show to a whole new generation of fans on Disney+,” Walt Disney Chairman of Entertainment Dana Walden said in the press release, adding that DWTS has brought “so much joy to millions of viewers” during its time on the air. Despite the sudden move, DWTS' judges and professional dancers were quick to share their excitement for the new format with fans. "It’s an exciting new chapter for the show and for the streaming world in general. Now the west coast can vote in real-time. I’m excited for the show possibilities over at Disney+ and am daydreaming about how we’re going to pull of quick changes and set changes with no commercial breaks!” Cheryl Burke told Us Weekly exclusively in May 2022. "I think it’s great that we’ll have an opportunity for potential new fans to discover us and know that this change will give our loyal followers from over the last 30 seasons something to look forward to as well. Just imagine what Disney Night on DWTS will look like now?!" [jwplayer rjKy7b5o-zhNYySv2] Pro-turned-judge Derek Hough echoed those sentiments later that month, telling Entertainment Tonight that though he was initially confused by the announcement, "within 10 seconds, I was very, very excited about it. I think that's where a lot of things are moving toward." He continued, "It's more opportunity for more performances, more dances, more creativity so I'm excited about that too." Also making the move to Disney+ is Tyra Banks, who will be joined by season 19 winner Alfonso Ribiero as hosts for the new season. “Dancing with the Stars has been such an important part of my life for so many years, and I am ecstatic to officially re-join this tight-knit family as cohost,” the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum said in a statement in July 2022. “Tyra and I have a longstanding friendship that I hope will resonate with all of the fans at home as we kick off this new season on Disney+." The supermodel, for her part, gushed about her new cohost shortly after the news was announced. "I’ve known Alfonso since I was 19 years old and he always puts a smile on my face whenever I see him,” Banks said in a statement at the time. “Having such a fun-loving, longtime friend as cohost warms my heart. Bantering back and forth with him live is going to be so much fun!" Keep scrolling to learn more about season 31 of Dancing With the Stars ahead of its fall 2022 premiere: [podcast_block]

Credit: Shutterstock (3)

The Cast Is Set

The full cast was revealed on September 8, 2022, featuring a lineup of Gabby Windey, Wayne Brady, Jordin Sparks, Teresa Giudice, Selma Blair, Vinny Guadagnino and Jessie James Decker. Good Morning America’s Sam Champion, Trevor Donovan, Cheryl Ladd, Jason Lewis, Shangela, Charli D’Amelio, Heidi D’Amelio, Joseph Baena and Daniel Durant round out the cast.

Credit: Shutterstock(3)

Familiar Faces Are On Board as Pros

Cheryl Burke, Witney Carson, Artem Chigvintsev, Brandon Armstrong, Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov teamed up for the season 31 promo footage, confirming they’d all be returning to the ballroom. The rest of the pro lineup has not been revealed.

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

Season 31 Will Premiere on Disney+

In August 2022, Disney+ announced that season 31 will premiere on Monday, September 19. (The time slot has not yet been revealed.) The long-running reality competition will be the first live series to premiere on Disney+, as part of the company's plan to expand its slate of unscripted offerings available for streaming.

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

The Format Will Change Slightly

"It's a little bit different," judge Carrie Ann Inaba told E! News in June 2022 about the show's move. "I think the difference is maybe live voting across the country. Maybe there's gonna be some things that will come along with the scripts that I think people are gonna love. People don't always like change, but I think they'll adapt."

That same month, Peta Murgatroyd teased that Disney+'s lack of commercials would also affect DWTS going forward. "It's gonna be a longer show because there's no ads in between now, so we've gotta fill a lot of space up," she told Us. "And a lot of time slots. I like it."

Credit: ABC/Maarten de Boer

The Judges and Pros Are on Board

he show's move was met with excitement from dancers like Burke and Gleb Savchenko. "When I heard the news, I was really excited,” the Russia native told Us in April 2022. “It's always fun doing the Disney episodes and now we'll be on Disney+ It was great to hear that the show has already been renewed for two seasons! I can't wait for the next season to start."

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

All 4 Judges Returning

DWTS' publicist Ingrid Meilan confirmed in July 2022 that Inaba, Hough, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli would all return as judges for season 31. 

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

It's Already Been Renewed For Season 32

Along with its new home on the streamer, Disney announced in April 2022 that DWTS had been renewed for both seasons 31 and 32

Credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock; ABC/Laretta Houston

Tyra Banks Will Return As Host ... Alongside Alfonso Ribiero

Despite rumors that she might be leaving the series, Banks — who took over as host in 2020 ahead of DWTS season 29 — confirmed in July 2022 that she would return.

The former America's Next Top Model host will be joined by season 19 champion (and previous guest host) Ribiero for the upcoming season. "Dancing with the Stars has been such an important part of my life for so many years, and I am ecstatic to officially re-join this tight-knit family as cohost," the actor said in a statement at the time.

In August 2022, the DWTS Instagram account shared a teaser about "making moves" to Disney+. Hosts Banks and Ribiero joked about being "in a completely different ballroom" as an animated Tinkerbell from Peter Pan flew by. "Can't wait to watch the stars enter a whole new world!" Banks quipped, making another Disney reference as the video cut to several ballroom pros dancing in gold-colored costumes against a purple backdrop.

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

Val Chmerkovskiy Plans to Come Back

Though he previously hinted that season 30 would be his last, Jenna Johnson confirmed to Us in June 2022 that both she and her husband were planning to return to compete for the Mirrorball trophy once more. “So, the funny thing is we actually don’t know if we’re coming back until right before the season [starts]," she said at the time. "But yes, I know that Val is definitely excited to come back for another season and I think that he’s in the best shape of his life right now. ... “I’m like a little like, ‘Oh wow, OK. Watch out.' I think he’s really excited for this next season.”

Credit: AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Jenna Johnson Is Not a 'DWTS' Season 31 Pro

The pregnant dancer confirmed in August 2022 that she'll miss out on season 31. “I’m obviously so sad that I won’t be dancing this season BUT I am sooo excited to watch and cheer everyone on…” she wrote via her Instagram Story. “Especially my hubby! I’m also excited to have a second to revamp, get inspired and bring my most creative self next season.”

Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Charli D’Amelio, Heidi D’Amelio Join

In August 2022, Us confirmed that TikTok star Charli D’Amelio and mom Heidi D’Amelio would compete against each other on the upcoming season.

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

Sharna Burgess Is Out as Season 31 Pro

The Australia native revealed in August 2022 that she will not be a pro this season, but she did tease that fans will still see her in the ballroom. “I will be there in some capacity,” she said in an Instagram Story video. “We’re still talking about that.” Burgess’ choice to step back from the full-time role came two months after she welcomed her first child, Zane, with Brian Austin Green. “I was not ready to spend, at minimum, 10 hours a day away from Zane,” she confessed.

Credit: Rob Latour/BEI/Shutterstock

Lindsay Arnold Is Pressing Pause

“I wanted to let you all know that I have decided not to be a part of Dancing With the Stars this season,” the ballroom dancer wrote via Instagram in August 2022. “This has been one of the hardest decisions to make but ultimately, I have chosen what I feel is best for myself and my family.”

The Utah native explained that distance from her husband while filming and their plans to “grow” their family played a part in the decision.