DWTS host Alfonso Ribeiro has found the one way he stays grounded amidst the glittering chaos of holding down the live broadcast throughout each season of the ABC competition series.
Rather than getting swept up in the high-stakes pressure or judges’ scores, his strategy focuses on maintaining a clear perspective under the spotlight. By leaning into this unspoken rule, Ribeiro uses the approach to command the ballroom through Season 35.
Alfonso Ribeiro Talks About The Tools He’ll Use for Season 35
GettyIn a new interview with People Magazine, Alfonso Ribeiro shared that he sticks to one tool to get him through each live show. Instead of overcomplicating his routine or relying on pre-show rituals, his secret simply comes down to keeping his mind entirely in the present moment.
He explained that the high-stakes environment of live television can easily overwhelm anyone if they let the pressure of the broadcast dictate their energy. By leaning into this straightforward approach every week, he ensures that he remains warm, authentic, and completely focused on the performers.
“The only ritual that I have ultimately is I will… tell myself before I walk onto that stage, you know, ‘Let it happen. Don’t try to think about something ahead of it. Just let it happen. Be there, be in the moment, and be ready to respond to everything that’s actually happening on the floor, not what you think is supposed to happen on the floor,’” Ribeiro explained.
“I think that allows everybody to stay truly in the moment and that works great for Julianne [Hough, DWTS co-host] and I,” he added.
“The thing that I think works for both of us is that we both know the show so well,” Ribeiro concluded. “We both care for one another. We truly like each other. I was literally texting her on the way here, and so with that there’s a, there’s a connection, there’s an energy, there’s a trust in one another.”
A Trust Bond Between Hosts Keeps the DWTS Magic Alive
ABCAlfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough keep the show rolling throughout the unpredictability of DWTS live episodes. Having both won the mirrorball trophies, Ribeiro with Witney Carson in Season 19 and Hough as a pro, with Apolo Anton Ohno in Season 4 and Hélio Castroneves in Season 5, the duo brings a shared history to the ballroom that lets them navigate live mishaps and emotional eliminations with total ease.
“I know that if, if anything she’s got my back and she knows I’ve got her back. So that makes for, you know, easy chemistry, easy work on the show and and you feel confident when you walk onto that stage,” he explained.
However, it’s the sheer unpredictability of each new season that keeps Ribeiro on his toes. It all begins with the fresh cast reveal, which instantly sets the stage for a whole new level of excitement.
He revealed, “I’m most excited to learn who the rest of the cast is. They won’t tell me.”
“[DWTS Producer] Deena [Katz] won’t tell me who the cast is, so I’m in the dark just like you guys, but every year she puts together an incredible crew of people, she knows exactly who’s supposed to be with who and, and put it together.”
Season 35 of DWTS starts with a special two-night premiere on Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET. The series will air live on ABC and Disney+, and stream the next day on Hulu.
