The Dancing With the Stars tour shows are going through a change this year.
Before the opening show on Thursday, January 22, the official tour account made a safety announcement via Instagram. “To help protect the health and safety of our cast and crew and due to the extensive tour we are about to embark on, we wish to inform you that the cast of DWTS LIVE will not be able to come outside the venues to say hi to anyone after the show,” the post read.
The statement cited health and safety concerns as the reason for the shift.
“This policy is intended to ensure the health and safety of our cast and crew so that they will be able to perform night after night across the country for you,” the production team continued, noting that fans of the show mean “everything” to the entire cast and crew.
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DWTS pro Ezra Sosa released his own statement about the new guidelines.
“I was really sad when they made that decision but ultimately it is the safest and healthiest thing for all of us,” Sosa, 25, said in a TikTok posted on Thursday. “Getting to meet all of you is probably one of the funnest things about tour…The fact that I can’t physically see every one of you really does hurt.”
Sosa urged fans to spread the word, adding, “It is the safest and healthiest thing for all of us.”
In response to the news, some attendees expressed their disappointment while others saw the risk that came with the cast meeting people outside of the venue.
“Probably was such a hard decision to make but honestly a respectable one,” read a response, while someone else wrote, “Hearing this breaks my heart, but I’m ultimately happy that you guys are making your safety priority.”
Another social media user pointed out how it was a “fair” decision considering the “people who do it the right way and pay” ahead for an opportunity to interact with the cast in a meet and greet environment.
VIP experiences are still available for the tour, which runs until May. The VIP option includes an interactive experience and a photo op with some of the touring pros. In addition to Sosa, pros Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten, Daniella Karagach, Pasha Pashkov and Britt Stewart are featured on the tour alongside Troupe member Hailey Bills.
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Bills’ aunt Jenna Johnson, Val Chmerkovskiy and Emma Slater are also confirmed to return. Season 34 contestants Danielle Fishel, Andy Richter and Elaine Hendrix will appear as cohosts — as will special guests Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson.
Rylee Arnold, meanwhile, isn’t hitting the road alongside her fellow pros.
“So sad I won’t be on the DWTS tour this year,” she explained via her Instagram Stories in November 2025 after the initial lineup was revealed. “Being on tour the last two years was seriously the most amazing experience ever. I’ve made the best memories and met the best people.”
Arnold continued: “This year, I had to make the hard decision to sit it out and focus on my health, especially with managing my Type 1 diabetes, which can be tricky on the road. I’m gonna miss it SO much, but I’ll definitely be cheering everyone on and can’t wait to come watch.”
