SOCIAL CLUB Strict new rule EVERY DWTS contestant must follow – and why it made A-listers ‘bow out’ of casting process
FROM Fox Trot’s to TikTok’s, Dancing With the Stars is turning its celebrities into influencers – with social media now a bigger part of the competition than ever before.
After an influx of votes shattered records last year, DWTS producers have heightened the stakes to recreate that audience lightning in a bottle for Season 35.
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are returning to the ballroom to host DWTSCredit: Getty
Social media sensations Jackson Olson and Emma Slater have already taken over TikTok during their DWTS rehearsalsCredit: Disney
A production insider has exclusively told The U.S. Sun that social media, particularly TikTok, has become a must-do for its celebrity contestants this season after last year’s voting surge.
However, not everyone was on board – with some stars apparently walking away from casting who weren’t interested in becoming part-time influencers.
“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.
“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 spilled.
However, multiple prospective celebrity contestants bowed out of the casting process because they didn’t want to play the social media game.
The source did not identify the A-list names who declined to continue with casting because of the increased content demands but made it clear that each person on this season knew about the social media side gig they were signing up for.
“Anyone on the cast had to be okay with the TikToks because the larger the social media presence, the more engagement from the audience.
“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 Traitors breakout Maura Higgins is paired with longtime fan-favorite Mark BallasCredit: Disney
Glee and Grey’s Anatomy star Harry Shum Jr. will be with DWTS vet Jenna JohnsonCredit: Disney
“Andy Richter is proof of that,” the insider explained, nothing last years’ fan-favorite breakout, Andy Richter, who made it all the way to the semi-finals due to his social media popularity.
The insider said social media has always been strongly encouraged by the show, but Season 35 marks the first time every contestant has been required to participate.
And the stars have wasted little time proving they got the memo.
The Season 35 cast was officially revealed last week, with an eclectic lineup that includes Julia Stiles, Jenna Dewan, Amber Glenn, Giada De Laurentiis, Tatyana Ali, Taylor Hanson, Tyler Cameron, Harry Shum Jr., Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech and Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson.
Since the announcement, the contestants have already been leaning heavily into TikTok and other social platforms as they promote their ballroom journeys.
Jackson, 28, is perhaps the most obvious example, arriving with an enormous built-in social-media audience from his Savannah Bananas career.
His partner, Emma Slater, has often been crowned the “TikTok queen” of the DWTS pros – making their pairing a match made in social media heaven.
Julia Stiles, 45, meanwhile, has been embracing a very different kind of TikTok fame as she prepares to dance with pro Ezra Sosa.
Actress Julia Stiles will team up with Ezra Sosa for Season 35 of DWTSCredit: Disney
Second-time pro Jan Ravnik and Tatyana Ali from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air fame will be a duoCredit: Disney
Brandon Armstrong has been partnered with Summer House breakout stat Ciara MillerCredit: Disney
Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson are getting ready to heat up the ballroomCredit: Disney
The actress recently used TikTok to recreate some of the iconic moments from her movies Save the Last Dance and 10 Things I Hate About You.
Her social media participation has already paid off, as the film star boasted this week that she has surpassed 1 million followers on Instagram.
Even less social media participants such as Jimmy Kimmel Live‘s Guillermo Rodriguez, 55, has been posting videos on socials along with his pro partner Witney Carson.
And although the show doesn’t premiere until September 15th, fans have been brought along for every step of the way as the behind-the-scenes training has become content.
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Rather than simply waiting for the ballroom performance each week, fans are now being given a steady stream of rehearsal clips, partner videos, challenges and TikTok trend-driven posts designed to make viewers feel invested in the contestants before they ever step onto the dance floor.
