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‘Dancing with the Stars’ Pros: Where Are They Now?

Former Dancing with the Stars pros have moved into judging, hosting, Broadway, television and business. Here are representative career updates and the 2026 show context.
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Many former Dancing with the Stars professionals stayed in entertainment, but their paths diverged: some became judges or hosts, others moved into Broadway and television, and some pursued dance ventures or work outside the spotlight. This is a representative update, not a verified roll call of every pro. As of October 2026, ABC’s Season 35 cast announcement and Associated Press reporting identify the show’s current on-air team and pairings.

Who is on Dancing with the Stars in 2026?

ABC’s Season 35 cast announcement lists the season’s celebrity-professional pairings and says the official podcast is returning with interviews, behind-the-scenes insights and performance breakdowns. The Associated Press reports that Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough host Season 35, with Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough judging. Cast and on-air roles can change, so ABC’s official show page is the place to check for the latest season information.

One distinction matters for this roundup: Harry Shum Jr. is a Season 35 celebrity contestant, not a former professional dancer. ABC describes his work across network television, independent film, publishing and audio storytelling; in 2024, he co-authored the children’s book Martee Dares to Dance. His current contestant role is separate from the careers of the show’s former pros.

Which former pros became judges or hosts?

Derek Hough: from pro dancer to judge

A retrospective account says Derek Hough left the professional-dancer role after Season 23 and returned as a judge beginning with Season 29. His work has also included touring, television appearances and a performance in Hairspray Live!. Us Weekly describes him as the show’s record-holder with six Mirrorball trophies. For his current role, the Season 35 cast context identifies him as a judge.

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Julianne Hough: professional dancer, judge and host

Julianne Hough competed as a professional dancer in Seasons 4–8, then served as a judge in Seasons 19–24, except Season 22, according to the retrospective. She became a co-host in 2023; AP lists her as a Season 35 host. Away from the broadcast, ABC says she co-founded Ovation, a dance convention and competition tour, with Derek Hough and DanceOne.

Which pros moved into Broadway and television?

Mark Ballas: ballroom success and Broadway

ABC describes Mark Ballas as a long-running professional, an 11-time finalist and a three-time champion. His career has also taken him to the stage: the Associated Press reported in March 2026 that he was returning to Broadway as Billy Flynn in Chicago, after earlier appearances in Jersey Boys and Kinky Boots. ABC also notes his appearance in U.S. Season 4 of The Traitors.

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In AP’s interview, Ballas said of reuniting with Whitney Leavitt in Chicago, “I think it’s going to be so fun. We work so well together.”

What did other former pros do after leaving the show?

Alec Mazo: a career outside entertainment

Us Weekly reports that Alec Mazo left the show after Season 9, earned an MBA from Stanford and serves as a general partner at DGA Capital. The outlet attributes the career detail to LinkedIn; treat it as a reported career path rather than a complete account of his current activities.

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These examples show several routes after the ballroom—broadcasting, stage work, television and business—but they do not establish what every former pro is doing today. The available updates are individual examples, not a survey of the full cast across all seasons.

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How the show is creating a new path for pros

ABC announced the 2026 spin-off Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, in which 12 dancers compete for a professional spot on Season 35. Mark and Shirley Ballas are judges, while returning pros rotate as mentors or guest judges. The competition offers a direct connection between established dancers and potential new members of the show’s professional cast.

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