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Dancing With the Stars<\/a> is throwing itself a ballroom birthday bash.<\/p>\n The hit ABC competition series\u2014now simulcast live on both ABC and Disney+\u2014will mark 20 years of glitter, footwork, and mirrorballs with a two-hour \u201c20th Birthday Party\u201d episode on Tuesday, November 11, featuring former host Tom Bergeron\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> highly anticipated return as a guest judge.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the first time Bergeron has stepped back into the ballroom since his 2020 departure after 28 seasons, when he and longtime co-host Erin Andrews<\/strong> were let go ahead of Season 29. His comeback has fans celebrating what many consider the \u201cgolden era\u201d of DWTS.<\/p>\n RELATED: Derek Hough Thanks Fans After \u2018DWTS\u2019 Makes Unprecedented TV History<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n While many familiar faces from past seasons will appear during the special, one notable alum revealed she won\u2019t be able to join in the celebration. Former pro Lacey Schwimmer<\/strong>, known for her edgy choreography and rebellious streak during her six-season run, shared the news on her Instagram stories<\/a> on Saturday, November 8.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t be at the 20th anniversary for @dancingwiththestars due to work, but wishing everyone the best celebration! And congrats to @tombergeron for his judging debut! Go smash it, my friend,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n Bergeron reposted her message with a warm response: \u201cThanks, Lacey! Gonna miss ya.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED: Late-Night Emergency Sends \u2018DWTS\u2019 Contestant to the Hospital After Rehearsal Injury<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Schwimmer appeared on DWTS for six seasons (7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13) and quickly made a name for herself as the \u201cbad girl of the ballroom.\u201d She reached the finals twice \u2014 first in her debut season with NSYNC\u2019s Lance Bass<\/strong> (placing third) and again in season 11 with Disney Channel star Kyle Massey<\/strong> (placing second).<\/p>\n Her absence will no doubt be felt among longtime fans, many of whom credit her with helping push the show toward bolder, more modern choreography in its early years.<\/p>\n RELATED: Derek & Hayley Hough Tear Up in Candid Video Thanking Fans After \u2018Devastating\u2019 Loss<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n According to ABC\u2019s press release, the \u201c20th Birthday Party\u201d will open with a massive pro-packed number choreographed by Derek Hough<\/a><\/strong>, set to a re-imagined live version of the DWTS theme by Ray Chew<\/strong>. Six of the show\u2019s original season 1 pros will also return for the number: Alec Mazo, Ashly DelGrosso, Louis van Amstel, Jonathan Roberts, Charlotte Jorgensen <\/strong>and Edyta \u015aliwi\u0144ska<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Later, the ballroom will pause to honor DWTS performers who have passed away with a special performance to Lady Gaga\u2019s \u201cAlways Remember Us This Way.\u201d<\/p>\n Bergeron\u2019s guest-judge stint will reunite him \u2014 at least for one night \u2014 with returning hosts Alfonso Ribeiro<\/strong> and Julianne Hough<\/strong>, plus judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli<\/strong> and Hough.<\/p>\n The celebration episode airs Tuesday, November 11, at 8 p.m. ET\/PT on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.<\/p>\n \ud83e\udea9\u00a0<\/strong>SIGN UP for our Dancing with the Stars newsletter to get access to exclusive news, interviews, songs, recaps & more<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\ud83e\udea9<\/strong><\/p>\n This story was originally reported by Parade<\/a> on Nov 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nOne Former Pro Can\u2019t Attend \u2014 but Sent Her Love<\/h2>\n
What to Expect from the 20th Anniversary Show<\/h2>\n