The “Dancing with the Stars” ballroom is about to get a little more familiar.
Season 35 is bringing two new contestants into the franchise who already have close ties to recent competitors.
Two New Contestants
According to Us Weekly, Conner Leavitt and Sarah Jane Nader are among the names joining the upcoming season.
Conner is the husband of Whitney Leavitt, who competed on the most recent season of the ABC dance competition.
Whitney and professional dancer Mark Ballas had a strong run on Season 34, ultimately reaching the semifinals.
Now, Conner will get his own chance to show what he can do on the dance floor.
Whitney’s time on the show also helped open new doors for her career. After competing on “Dancing With the Stars,” the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star took on the role of Roxie Hart in Broadway’s “Chicago.”
She is also scheduled to return to Broadway in December, when she begins playing Sandra Dee in “Just in Time.”
Sarah Jane, meanwhile, is entering the competition with an equally recognizable connection. Her sister, Brooks Nader, competed during Season 33 in 2024 with professional partner Gleb Savchenko. The pair finished ninth.
Brooks has remained busy since her time on the show. She is set to appear in Fox’s upcoming “Baywatch” reboot, expanding her career beyond modeling and reality television.
The siblings’ connection to “Dancing With the Stars” will now continue with Sarah Jane’s participation.
Who’s Already Confirmed to Battle for the Mirrorball Trophy
Several other celebrities have already been linked to the Season 35 lineup.
Reality stars Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins were among the first names announced, followed by Savannah Bananas player Jackson Olson and Guillermo Rodriguez, known for his longtime role on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Former Bachelor Nation contestant Tyler Cameron and actress Jenna Dewan are also set to compete.
The professional lineup will include returning champion Witney Carson, who will take the ballroom floor while expecting her third child with husband Carson McAllister. Carson is partnered with Rodriguez this season.
The pregnancy has made the upcoming competition particularly unique for the longtime professional dancer.
“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t very daunting. I’ve never been this far along pregnant and competing on Dancing With the Stars, ever,” Carson said on “Good Morning America” Monday, Aug. 17. “I don’t know if it’s ever been done.”
Despite the challenge, Carson described the opportunity as something she feels grateful to experience.
“I’m so proud to be a woman, to be creating life and growing this human, and to be able to do the show and compete … is such a huge blessing,” she said.
The complete Season 35 lineup has not yet been revealed. ABC is scheduled to announce the remaining celebrities and professional dancers on “Good Morning America” on Sept. 2.
With multiple reality stars, television personalities and entertainers already preparing for the competition — plus two contestants with connections to recent DWTS fan favorites — the new season is already giving viewers plenty to talk about.
