Dancing with the Stars Season 34: Cast, Winner & Eliminations
Few reality competitions keep viewers guessing week after week like Dancing with the Stars. Season 34 brought 14 celebrities to the ballroom from the September 16 premiere to the December 2 finale, along with major changes behind the scenes.
Premiere date: September 16, 2025 · Finale date: December 2, 2025 · Network(s): ABC and Disney+ · Number of episodes: 12 (per IMDb) · Hosts: Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough (confirmed)
Quick snapshot
- 14 celebrities competed in season 34 (ABC News (official broadcast partner))
- Winner: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson (E! News (entertainment network))
- Finale aired December 2, 2025 (Sports Illustrated (sports and lifestyle magazine))
- Exact elimination order for all weeks (Entertainment Weekly (industry magazine) covers partial)
- Specific reason for Maks Chmerkovskiy’s absence (Entertainment Weekly (industry magazine))
- Pansexual contestant identity (Wayne Brady’s self-ID is from earlier seasons, per TikTok) (Entertainment Weekly (industry magazine))
- September 16, 2025 – Season 34 premiere (ABC News (official broadcast partner))
- September–November 2025 – Weekly elimination episodes (ABC News (official broadcast partner))
- December 2, 2025 – Finale and winner announcement (E! News (entertainment network))
- Winner tour and media appearances (Entertainment Weekly (industry magazine))
- Season 35 renewal status unknown as of December 2025 (Entertainment Weekly (industry magazine))
The key facts table below summarizes the essential details for the season at a glance.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Season number | 34 |
| Premiere date | September 16, 2025 |
| Finale date | December 2, 2025 |
| Network | ABC and Disney+ |
| Hosts | Alfonso Ribeiro, Julianne Hough |
| Judges | Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, Derek Hough |
Who is on season 34 of Dancing with the Stars?
Celebrity cast members for season 34
Season 34 featured 14 celebrities, announced on Good Morning America and confirmed by ABC News (official broadcast partner). The full roster, also listed on ABC’s cast page, includes:
- Jen Affleck
- Hilaria Baldwin
- Jordan Chiles
- Baron Davis
- Alix Earle
- Dylan Efron
- Corey Feldman
- Danielle Fishel
- Elaine Hendrix
- Scott Hoying
- Robert Irwin
- Lauren Jauregui
- Whitney Leavitt
- Andy Richter
This mix of names—from Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles to lifelong entertainer Corey Feldman—gave the season a broad appeal, spanning sports, music, and reality TV. The producers clearly aimed for maximum audience overlap.
Professional dancers paired with celebrities
The official pairings are tracked on Entertainment Weekly’s elimination guide (industry magazine). The winning duo, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, became the team to beat. Other confirmed pairings from semifinal coverage include Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas (The Hollywood Reporter (industry outlet)). For a complete list, the ABC cast page also links to dancer profiles.
The pattern: Season 34 leaned on veteran pros (Witney Carson, Mark Ballas) alongside a few newer faces. Notably absent were Maks Chmerkovskiy and Sasha Farber, two longtime fan favorites.
Who won Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars?
Winner announcement details
Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, and professional dancer Witney Carson were crowned champions during the live finale on December 2, 2025. The win was confirmed simultaneously by E! News (entertainment network) and Entertainment Weekly (industry magazine). Irwin, who had become a fan favorite for his earnest performances, earned the mirrorball trophy after consistently high scores throughout the season.
Runner-up and finalists
The other finalists included Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, who were eliminated in the semifinal round (Prince Night) according to The Hollywood Reporter (industry outlet). Sports Illustrated’s finale recap (sports and lifestyle magazine) noted that Leavitt and Ballas were eliminated after judges’ scores combined with viewer votes.
Who has been kicked off Dancing with the Stars season 34?
Elimination order week by week
No single source publishes a complete week‑by‑week elimination table, but key outlets provide partial records. E! News (entertainment network) and Entertainment Weekly (industry magazine) each maintained elimination trackers during the season. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas were eliminated in the semifinal (episode 10). Earlier eliminations remain less documented, though DWTS Fandom (fan wiki) records that at least one episode had no elimination at all.
Surprise eliminations or injuries
No major injuries or shock exits were reported during the season, according to available sources.
The implication: Fans wanting the full elimination grid should cross-reference the E! News and Entertainment Weekly trackers, as no one outlet covered every week comprehensively.
Why did Maks Chmerkovskiy leave Dancing with the Stars?
Maks Chmerkovskiy departure reasons
Maks Chmerkovskiy, a professional dancer who competed in multiple seasons, did not return for season 34. His absence is confirmed by the Entertainment Weekly elimination guide (industry magazine), which lists all couples for the season — Maks is not among them. As of the season finale, no public statement from Maks or the show’s producers has explained his specific reason for stepping away, though he had previously taken hiatuses from the series.
His history with the show
Chmerkovskiy was a pro from season 2 through season 30, winning the mirrorball twice. His absence in season 34 marks a continuation of his pattern of intermittent participation.
Without an official statement, viewers are left to speculate — but the competitive lineup clearly moved on without him. The show’s producers may revisit his return for a future season.
Why is Sasha not on Dancing with the Stars season 34?
Sasha Farber absence confirmed
Sasha Farber, another veteran professional dancer, was also missing from the season 34 lineup. Entertainment Weekly’s elimination tracker (industry magazine) lists all 14 couples, and Farber is not paired with any contestant. Multiple entertainment outlets, including Us Weekly (via Good Housekeeping’s season roundup), noted his absence ahead of the premiere.
Reason for his absence
As with Maks, no specific reason for Farber’s departure has been publicly confirmed. He had been a regular pro since season 24 and last competed in season 33.
The dual absence of two OG pros—Maks and Sasha—signaled a deliberate shift. Season 34’s dance roster leaned younger and less established, which may have been a cost‑cutting or rebranding move by ABC/Disney+.
Timeline of Dancing with the Stars season 34
- – Season 34 premiere. Cast announced on Good Morning America (ABC News).
- – Weekly competition episodes. Elimination trackers published by E! News and Entertainment Weekly.
- – Season finale. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson win the mirrorball trophy (Sports Illustrated).
Confirmed facts
- Season 34 aired September 16 – December 2, 2025 (ABC News)
- 14 celebrities competed, including Jordan Chiles, Hilaria Baldwin, Dylan Efron (ABC7)
- Robert Irwin and Witney Carson won (E! News)
- Maks Chmerkovskiy and Sasha Farber not part of season 34 (Entertainment Weekly)
- Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returned as co-hosts (Good Housekeeping)
- Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, Derek Hough returned (ABC News)
What’s unclear
- Exact elimination order for all weeks (partial on E! and EW)
- Specific reason for Maks’s departure (no public statement)
- Whether the Fandom wiki claim of a no‑elimination episode is accurate (low confidence)
- Pansexual contestant identity: Wayne Brady discussed his identity in a past TikTok, but he was not a season 34 contestant
Notable quotes from the season
“I’m pansexual. I wanted to be open about who I am.”
Wayne Brady, in a TikTok video (via social media) – not a season 34 contestant but frequently asked about the show
“Sasha Farber will not be hitting the ballroom for season 34.”
“Meet the celebrity cast of season 34.”
ABC News, introducing the 14 contestants
For fans of Dancing with the Stars, season 34 proved that the show continues to evolve, with new faces and unexpected departures. The question now is whether the show can maintain its momentum as it moves toward a potential season 35. For ABC and Disney+, the challenge will be to retain the audience that made season 34 a success, or risk losing viewers to changing streaming habits.
For a complete breakdown of the season’s contestants and eliminations, check out our full season 34 guide for detailed coverage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the age range of the cast on Dancing with the Stars season 34?
The cast ranged from 20-somethings (Jordan Chiles, 24; Alix Earle, 23) to older contestants like Andy Richter (58) and Corey Feldman (54), as listed on ABC’s cast page.
Are all original judges returning for season 34?
Yes. Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough all returned as judges, as confirmed by ABC News.
How long is each episode of season 34?
Standard episodes run about 90 minutes (including ads). The finale was a two-hour special, per typical ABC scheduling.
Is Dancing with the Stars season 34 available on streaming?
Yes. Episodes streamed live and on-demand on Disney+, as well as on ABC’s website and app after broadcast.
What time does Dancing with the Stars season 34 air?
The show aired Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC and simulcast on Disney+.
Who hosts Dancing with the Stars season 34?
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough co-hosted, as reported by Good Housekeeping.
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