Meet the Pros and Celebrities of Dancing With the Stars Season 33 (2024)

Iconic ballroom battles come alive as sports, film, and reality stars bring fresh energy.

Written by Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach
Last Updated on

Dancing With the Stars Season 33: Full Lineup, Pros, and All You Need to Know

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September 2024 marks the start of a new era for Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) as it launches its 33rd season on ABC. Returning with more glamour, drama, and dazzling dance routines, the iconic competition makes its fall debut with a star-studded cast, celebrated professional dancers, and iconic hosts and judges. Here, we break down everything about DWTS Season 33 — from the complete list of celebrities and pros to changes in the show’s format, returning fan favorites, and much more.

Season 33: The Basics

  • Premiere Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
  • Network: ABC
  • Hosts: Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough
  • Judges: Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, Derek Hough
  • Prize: The coveted Mirrorball Trophy, now officially renamed in honor of late judge Len Goodman

Season 33 promises a blend of brand-new surprises, tributes to dance legends, and a diverse set of contestants from sports, reality TV, music, and film. The familiar ballroom returns — revamped for fresh visual flair and crisp acoustics — and celebrates dance at its finest.

Meet the Season 33 Celebrity Cast

DWTS Season 33 features 13 celebrities, ranging from household names to headline-makers. Get to know the contestants preparing to take on the ballroom challenge:

CelebrityKnown ForProfessional Partner
Phaedra Parks‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ alum, lawyer, businesswomanVal Chmerkovskiy
Tori Spelling‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ star, reality TV personalitySasha Farber
Anna DelveyInfamous scam artist, subject of Netflix series ‘Inventing Anna’Emma Slater
Joey Graziadei‘The Bachelor’ Season 28 starJenna Johnson
Eric RobertsActor (‘The Dark Knight’, ‘The Expendables’)Britt Stewart
Reginald VelJohnsonActor (‘Family Matters’, ‘Die Hard’)Emma Slater
Chandler KinneyActress, singer (‘Lethal Weapon’, ‘Zombies’)Brandon Armstrong
Danny AmendolaFormer NFL Wide ReceiverWitney Carson
Dwight HowardNBA Superstar, World ChampionDaniella Karagach
Ilona MaherOlympic Rugby playerAlan Bersten
Stephen NedoroscikOlympic GymnastRylee Arnold
Brooks NaderModel, Sports Illustrated cover starGleb Savchenko
Jenn Tran‘The Bachelorette’ (Season 21)Sasha Farber

Spotlight: Celebrity Profiles

  • Phaedra Parks: A powerhouse in law and entertainment, Parks is known both for her no-nonsense approach on ‘Real Housewives’ and her quick wit. Returning to TV after her meme-worthy stint on ‘The Traitors’, fans eagerly anticipate how her vibrant personality will translate on the dance floor.
  • Tori Spelling: Iconic for ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’, Spelling brings nostalgia and reality TV savvy. Her openness about personal struggles should make her relatable and compelling to watch.
  • Anna Delvey: Famous for reinventing herself as a New York socialite and inspiring ‘Inventing Anna’, Delvey’s appearance is sure to stir media buzz and ballroom curiosity.
  • Joey Graziadei: The ‘Bachelor’ favorite transitions from handing out roses to mastering ballroom footwork, likely drawing large support from franchise fans.
  • Danny Amendola: NFL athleticism could give him an edge in precision and stamina, making his partnership with Witney Carson a season highlight.
  • Dwight Howard: Known for his larger-than-life persona on the court, Howard’s footwork adaptability will be tested on the smaller dance floor.
  • Ilona Maher & Stephen Nedoroscik: Both are Olympians used to high-octane competition and discipline, which could translate well to dances demanding strength and grace.

The Professional Dancers: Meet the Pros

The backbone of DWTS, the professionals return for Season 33 ready to teach, mentor, and shine alongside their high-profile partners. Confirmed pros include:

  • Val Chmerkovskiy
  • Jenna Johnson
  • Britt Stewart
  • Witney Carson
  • Emma Slater
  • Alan Bersten
  • Daniella Karagach
  • Brandon Armstrong
  • Gleb Savchenko
  • Sasha Farber
  • Rylee Arnold

This season also brings back the talented dance troupe, who appear in group numbers and ‘filler’ sets, further elevating every live show.

Hosts and Judges

  • Alfonso Ribeiro: DWTS and ‘Fresh Prince’ alum, beloved for wit and charm.
  • Julianne Hough: Former DWTS champ and judge, now co-host, bringing dance expertise and engaging interviews.
  • Carrie Ann Inaba: Original judge known for emotional comments and technical insight.
  • Bruno Tonioli: Animated, passionate, and extremely knowledgeable about dance nuances.
  • Derek Hough: Multiple-time Mirrorball champ, returning as a lead judge with contemporary dance perspective.

The judging table is notable for the first full season without the legendary Len Goodman, with tributes planned throughout the season including a renaming of the Mirrorball Trophy.

Weekly Breakdown and Scoreboard

The show maintains its rigorous weekly format, blending varied dances and challenges:

  • Ballroom and Latin dance styles: Paso Doble, Cha-Cha-Cha, Jive, Tango, Foxtrot, and more.
  • Live elimination during the results show, based on judges’ scores plus audience votes.
  • Special theme nights (e.g., ’80s Rock’, ‘Movie Night’, and others).

Scoreboard sample from Week 1:

CoupleScoreDance StyleMusicStatus
Danny & Witney30Paso doble“Livin’ on a Prayer” — Bon JoviSafe
Reginald & Emma21Cha-cha-cha“I Wanna Rock” — Twisted SisterEliminated
Chandler & Brandon33Jive“We’re Not Gonna Take It” — Twisted SisterSafe
Joey & Jenna36Tango“Rock You Like a Hurricane” — ScorpionsSafe

Behind the Scenes: What’s New This Season?

  • Len Goodman Tribute: The Mirrorball Trophy is now formally renamed in honor of the legendary judge. Look for emotional moments and salute packages throughout the season.
  • Visual Refresh: Updated lighting, costuming, and camera tech bring heightened drama and cinematic quality to performances.
  • Expanded casting diversity: More Olympians, athletes, and notorious newsmakers join the usual TV and reality favorites.
  • Guest Judges and Surprise Themes: Expect a few surprise visits and theme weeks for extra flair.

Fan Engagement: Voting and Social Media

Viewers hold the power to influence outcomes — DWTS integrates live voting across ABC platforms and social media. Special hashtags and choreography breakdowns trend each week, with interactive behind-the-scenes segments allowing fans to root for their favorites and debate scores in real time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Where can I watch Dancing With the Stars Season 33?

A: The show airs every Tuesday at 8pm ET on ABC. Episodes are also available for streaming via ABC’s online platforms and select cable providers.

Q: Who are the hosts and judges for Season 33?

A: Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as co-hosts. Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough fill the judges’ panel.

Q: How can I vote for my favorite couple?

A: Voting is open live during the show on ABC’s website and official social media handles. Audience votes combine with judges’ scores to determine eliminations.

Q: Who is the frontrunner this season?

A: Early social media buzz favors Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson due to strong Week 1 scores, but NFL and Olympic athletes remain wildcard favorites.

Q: What’s new or different about Season 33?

A: This season features tributes to Len Goodman, new theme nights, a refreshed production look, and expanded casting diversity.

Season Highlights and Predictions

  • The competitive mix of athletes, actors, and reality stars means this season will be hard to predict — ballroom newcomers and experienced dancers alike are set for dramatic progress and shock eliminations.
  • The unique pairings between pros and celebrities offer potential for surprise chemistry and high-impact performances unseen in recent seasons.
  • Look out for special performances commemorating past winners and tribute dances for the late Len Goodman.
  • Strong sports backgrounds (Amendola, Howard, Maher, Nedoroscik) could translate to technical excellence under pressure.

How to Follow and Join the Conversation

  • ABC’s interactive DWTS portal features weekly recaps, scores, and voting links.
  • Social media (Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok) hosts trending clips and exclusive interviews.
  • Popular podcasts and blog roundups offer behind-the-scenes insights and predictions between episodes.

With a spectacular cast and returning pros, DWTS Season 33 is set to be one of the most exciting yet. Stay tuned, vote live, and join millions as they cheer for their favorite stars competing for the Mirrorball Trophy.

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Sneha Tete
Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

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