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Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars kicks off tonight, live from Hollywood, bringing together 14 celebrity contestants and their professional partners for a new round of competition. With returning hosts, familiar judges, and a fresh face from Taylor Swift’s tour joining the pro lineup, the season promises high-profile performances and plenty of drama.
What to Know:
- The season premiere airs Tuesday, September 16 at 8 p.m. ET, with new episodes continuing weekly in the same time slot.
- Viewers can watch live on ABC or stream the show on Disney+, which offers multiple subscription options for access.
- DIRECTV is offering a five-day free trial that includes ABC, making it a top choice for watching the premiere without cable.
- Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro return as hosts, continuing their roles from previous seasons.
- Judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli will deliver critiques tonight, as Carrie Ann Inaba is absent due to illness and will not be replaced.
- Professional dancer Jan Ravnik, known for touring with Taylor Swift, joins the cast as a new pro this season.
Stay with Newsweek for the latest updates.
Carrie Ann Inaba to miss ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 34 premiere due to illness
DANCING WITH THE STARS – ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” stars Carrie Ann Inaba.
Andrew Eccles/Disney
Carrie Ann Inaba, longtime judge on Dancing With the Stars, announced Tuesday that she will miss the Season 34 premiere due to illness. In a heartfelt Instagram post just hours before the live broadcast, Inaba wrote, “I wanted to share that I will not be at the show tonight as I am feeling quite under the weather. I’m resting up and can’t wait to be back next week in good health.”
ABC confirmed that no replacement judge will be brought in for the night, leaving Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli to handle scoring duties. Inaba’s absence comes as the show celebrates its 20th anniversary and welcomes 14 new celebrity contestants to the ballroom.
Support poured in from fellow cast members, including Julianne Hough, Hilaria Baldwin, and Britt Stewart, who all wished Inaba a speedy recovery. The Season 34 premiere airs live Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.
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