There is a new season of “Dancing With the Stars” on the way. However, things look a little differently this year.
After the cast reveal on September 2, fans began speculating which celeb would ultimately win. As soon as the full cast list was out, each competitor began posting videos online with their new pro partners.
Over the past few years, social media videos from DWTS contestants have increased. But this year, it seems the silly TikToks aren’t just fun to have — they’re mandatory.
The DWTS Cast Must Cultivate a Heavy Social Media Presence
Every year, “Dancing With the Stars” competitors rely on votes to keep them in the competition. And in the age of social media, it’s become easier than ever before for contestants to connect with viewers.
That’s precisely why the season 35 competitors all must have a social media presence.
“Following last year’s uptick in votes and all the records broken from the amount of votes that came in, the producers are emphasizing social media more so this season than any other year,” an insider told The Sun.
“They spoke to prospective cast members about how social media would be a larger, and now mandatory, part of the process when choosing who to cast,” the source added.
While many celebrities use social media to engage with their audience, not every potential contestant was on board. In fact, The Sun notes that many celebs turned down the offer because of the social media requirement. The outlet did not name specific people.
“Anyone on the cast had to be okay with the TikToks because the larger the social media presence, the more engagement from the audience,” the source continued. “Which means more votes and more viewers. How the contestants perform on social media has become even more important than how they perform in the ballroom.”
The Younger Dancers Bring in Plenty of Views From Social Media
The new social media requirement isn’t challenging for most of the “Dancing With the Stars” pros. Adding Ezra Sosa, Rylee Arnold, and newcomer Hailey Bills to the cast gave the show a new way to connect with younger viewers.
Even before the season begins, fans can see plenty of the competitors filming TikToks in the rehearsal room. They’re going to do everything in their power to win favor and votes from the audience.
As the season premiere inches closer, fans are considering which celebrity contestants have what it takes to bring home the Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy.
So far, Action Network believes that “Grey’s Anatomy” star Harry Shum Jr. is the most likely to win the competition. They have Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn close behind him in second place, with “Step Up” star Jenna Dewan in third.
Of course, anything is possible at this stage in the game. The competitors will have to work hard to win the votes they need to keep advancing.
“Dancing With the Stars” fans can tune into the season 35 premiere at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15 on ABC. Tune in the following night to catch the second part of the premiere.
