The Dancing With the Stars season 34 partnerships were frequently changing ahead of the Wednesday, September 3, cast reveal, according to show cohost Alfonso Ribeiro.
“Typically, once we have a list of the pros that are gonna be on, we then, at some point, we’ll get the opportunity to hear who’s gonna be [on the show]. But it’s never final, right?” Ribeiro, 53, exclusively told Us Weekly on Wednesday. “It’s ever-changing, and there were some pairings that were different three weeks ago.”
He continued, “Things continue to evolve as new people come in, and you realize, ‘Oh, actually, this is a better pairing than that pairing.’ And they work on it right up until the final day until [the stars and pros] meet each other.”
Ribeiro further remarked that show executives Deena Katz, Conrad Green and Rob Mills “always get it right” when it comes to matching up celebrities with pro dancers.
Everything to Know About ‘DWTS’ Season 34: Celebs, New Pros and More
“They figure it out. I don’t know how they do it, but they always figure out how to put the right people together,” he told Us. “They’re magical.”
The DWTS lineup includes the likes of Robert Irwin, Alix Earle, Corey Feldman, Jordan Chiles, Baron Davis and Fifth Harmony alum Lauren Jauregui, who revealed on Wednesday’s Good Morning America that she was cast just two days ago.
With the cast list now set, Ribeiro thinks season 34 will be one to watch.
“I knew it was going to be a great season,” Ribeiro told Us. “I mean, it’s really incredible, the amount of incredible personalities. We haven’t seen this yet, but great dancing, great stories to tell [and] nostalgia. There’s a lot of everything coming.”
He added, “You’ve got so many great people from different generations coming together, and … everyone’s getting along, everyone’s having a great time. I think it’s gonna be an incredible season.”
Ribeiro has even heard rumblings about the partnerships’ first rehearsals in the ballroom.
ABC Reveals 1st Look at ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 34 Couples
“They’re just getting started,” he teased. “I’ve heard some things [and] there’s gonna be some fun stuff.”
According to Ribeiro, there could even be an underdog amongst the Mirrorball hopefuls.
“It’s impossible to say today because I’ve always said this show is a reality show wrapped in a dance competition,” he said. “It’s part of who’s going to be willing to share their heart with America while dancing. So there might be some on the dance floor frontrunners, but they may not be actual frontrunners because we’ve seen in the past people go home early when they don’t showcase their personality.”
Dancing With the Stars premieres on ABC and Disney+ Tuesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET, with new episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.
Prove your DWTS fandom with Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv! Compete against other fans and Us editors in the Bracketology DWTS fantasy league this season to predict which pairs will make it to the finale for season 34. Get access to exclusive content, stats and a chance to win prizes. Join the league for free today!
