Dancing With the Stars season 35 premieres September 15, 2026, on ABC and Disney+.
Fans on Reddit are convinced Food Network alum Giada De Laurentiis will participate.
If the rumors are true, the culinary expert will join previously announced contestants Ciara Miller, Maura Higgins, Guillermo Rodriguez, and Jackson Olson.
We’re just weeks away from learning the full cast of Dancing With the Stars season 35—and some fans think a major food personality is joining.
The season premieres Tuesday, September 15, 2026, on ABC and Disney+, and Ciara Miller, Jackson Olson, Maura Higgins, and Guillermo Rodriguez are confirmed contestants. While we won’t know for sure who else is joining the cast until the Good Morning America announcement on September 2, we can speculate.
On August 3, Reddit user @Particular-Fall3355 gauged other viewers’ thoughts on who they expect to join the show this season. “Does anyone have any tea or rumored contestants for the show?” the post asked. “Also, who do you want to see on the show. It is less than a month away. Is the person who knows the cast before anyone else here (lol?).”
Former Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis came up a few times in the thread.
“Wait I think she’d be fun. I feel like her and [DWTS pro] Pasha [Pashkov] could be fun,” one person wrote in the comments. “I used to love Giada! I think she would be great!” another agreed. “Oh wow, I wasn’t expecting this one, fun!!” a different viewer added.
Giada has over 20 years of TV experience, with Everyday Italian, Giada at Home, and other projects. She exited Food Network in 2023, saying she felt “burnt out.” Since then, she’s become a YouTube and social media creator, opened restaurants across the U.S., and launched her Giadzy food line.
We can’t wait for the official announcement to learn if this is true!
