Dancing With the Stars may have been bigger than ever in 2025, but there are still a few things Us would like to see when the ballroom competition returns in the new year.
Season 34 of the hit reality dance series took the internet by storm when it debuted in September, enlisting several influencers with already passionate followings, nostalgic actresses and all-star athletes to compete for the coveted mirrorball trophy. With each elimination, cohosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough revealed a massive new number of votes from fans hoping to save their favorite celebs from the chopping block.
According to ABC, November’s season finale drew the show’s largest audience in nine years, nearly doubling ratings from the 2024 finale episode. Nearly half a billion — yes, with a b! — votes were cast throughout the season before Robert Irwin was crowned the season 34 winner alongside pro Witney Carson.
From dance marathons to a new Dedication Night twist, there was a lot to love on DWTS this year. But just like Carrie Ann Inaba on any given Tuesday, Us has some constructive feedback before season 35 gets underway.
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Keep scrolling to see Us’ DWTS wish list for 2026:
Bring Back the Confessionals
We love hearing Julianne say “thanks Alfonso” as much as the next viewer, but there’s more to explore in the skybox than a few filler questions. Fans who have kept up with DWTS from the start will remember when pros and contestants were given the space to react to the judges’ commentary in real-time with straight-to-camera confessionals, which brought a whole new level of drama. Old clips of Derek Hough’s takedown of “demented lines” and heel leads went viral again this season, proving it’s not just Us who wants the confessionals to return.
More Villains, Please
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt sort of filled these shoes on season 34 — at least in the eyes of some viewers — but the ante can certainly be upped. And although we love the camaraderie that builds between contestants each season, not everyone needs to play nice.
Clashing Partners
Not playing nice applies in the studio, as well. Pros like Britt Stewart and Emma Slater have shown they have patience in spades while training their (sometimes hopeless) celebs. Others like Witney and Mark Ballas have formed lasting friendships with their famous partners. Plenty of care goes into making the perfect pairings each season, but if someone behind the scenes wants to spice things up with putting together two strong personalities likely to butt heads, they wouldn’t see complaints from Us. (Remember Maks Chmerkovskiy and Hope Solo? Or Maks and Erin Andrews? Maybe just bring back Maks.)
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A Little More Flirting
The challenge here being most of the DWTS pros are in committed relationships or married with (very cute) children, but it’s been too long since there’s been a showmance to root for in the ballroom. Season 34 gave Us crumbs with a potential love connection brewing between Robert and returning champ Xochitl Gomez — and fans are hungry for more.
Mixing Up the Judges
In honor of the show’s 20th anniversary, season 34 featured some old favorites on the panel, including Cheryl Burke and Kym Johnson-Herjavec, who each delivered their expert insight to the contestants in a fresh and exciting fashion. While Carrie Ann, Derek and Bruno Tonioli are irreplaceable as the main trio of judges, the former pros showed they know DWTS inside and out — and there’s a long roster of names to consider for next season!
