Fourteen pro dancers will be competing for the mirrorball trophy when “Dancing with the Stars” returns for Sept. 14 for Season 29, — a season unlike any other, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lineup, announced Tuesday, will include series veterans and newcomers including:
- Brandon Armstrong
- Alan Bersten
- Sharna Burgess
- Cheryl Burke
- Val Chmerkovskiy
- Sasha Farber
- Jenna Johnson
- Daniella Karagach
- Keo Motsepe
- Peta Murgatroyd
- Pasha Pashkov
- Gleb Savchenko
- Emma Slater
- Britt Stewart
The lineup of celebrities and partnerships will be announced down the road, with the exception of “Bachelorette” Kaitlyn Bristowe, whose participation in the series was confirmed in June.
While few details of the production were revealed in Tuesday’s announcement, ABC reports that because of safety protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pros will not collaborating or rehearsing together, and married couples, such as Emma Slater and Sasha Farber, will need to live apart for the run of the season.
“DWTS” will be hosted by Tyra Banks, replacing Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, who departed the series in July. ABC at the time said in a statement that the show was looking to “embark on a new creative direction” and host Bergeron “departs the show with our sincerest thanks and gratitude for his trademark wit and charm that helped make this show a success.”
The season debuts at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 on ABC, with episodes available on demand and on Hulu the following day.
