Ciara Miller joins Dancing with the Stars season 35 cast alongside Traitors’ Maura Higgins

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Summer House Star Ciara Miller Joins the Competition
• The Traitors Breakout Maura Higgins Takes Center Stage
• Season 35 Cast Details and Premiere Timeline
• The Next Pro Spin-Off Changes the Game
• What’s Next for Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins?
  • Sources

Ciara Miller from Summer House and Maura Higgins from The Traitors just made reality TV history earlier today. The two breakout stars are heading to the Dancing with the Stars ballroom for the upcoming season 35. This marks the official kickoff of what promises to be an unforgettable season.

Summer House Star Ciara Miller Joins the Competition

Ciara Miller, the 30-year-old Atlanta native from Bravo’s Summer House, is ready to trade her summer vacation drama for sequins and spray tans. The reality television personality has been a fan favorite since joining the cast years ago. Her private nature makes this dancing commitment even more surprising. The DWTS judges are in for some serious entertainment watching her step outside her comfort zone.

In a recent interview, Miller told Glamour she values her privacy deeply. She turned down opportunities for other reality shows, so this DWTS decision signals something special about her commitment to the competition. Her Summer House castmates are already buzzing about her potential on the dance floor. Fans expect Miller to bring the same authenticity that made her a summer house standout.

The Traitors Breakout Maura Higgins Takes Center Stage

Maura Higgins burst into American television last year as a Faithful contestant on The Traitors US Season 4, finishing as runner-up. The Love Island UK alum brought her Irish charm and candor to the game show, leaving viewers captivated by her personality. She previously hosted Love Island: Aftersun and has become a household name across multiple reality franchises. Her no-nonsense attitude and magnetic presence make her dance floor debut highly anticipated.

Higgins told The Hollywood Reporter in March that she would absolutely consider Dancing with the Stars. “It’s something that’d be a challenge for me,” she revealed. “I’ve never danced. I’d done a bit of Irish dancing when I was younger. It’d be a huge challenge, but I know I’d throw myself into it and all the looks and glitter.” Her enthusiasm and willingness to embrace the glitzy competition are exactly what the show needs this season.

Season 35 Cast Details and Premiere Timeline

Detail	Information
Premiere Date	September 16, 2026
Network	ABC, Disney+, Hulu (next day)
Time Slot	Monday nights at 8:00 PM ET
First Confirmed Cast	Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins

The announcement came at Hulu’s Get Real House event on April 22, the same venue where Robert Irwin was first announced for season 34 last year. Irwin went on to win the Mirrorball Trophy, suggesting early announcements might bring good luck. The full cast of celebrities and pro dancers will be revealed at a later date, but viewers are already creating dream dance pairings online. The fall premiere timing means fans have just months to speculate who else will join Miller and Higgins on the ballroom floor.

“Maybe I’d do Dancing With the Stars. It’s something that’d be a challenge for me. I’ve never danced. I’d done a bit of Irish dancing when I was younger. It’d be a huge challenge, but I know I’d throw myself into it and all the looks and glitter.”

— Maura Higgins, The Traitors US Season 4 Runner-up

The Next Pro Spin-Off Changes the Game

Beyond season 35, ABC is launching Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, a brand-new spin-off premiering July 13, 2026. Season 34 winner Robert Irwin will host the competition series showcasing 12 exceptional up-and-coming dancers. These young talent competitors will live in one house and endure a grueling audition process. The winner earns a coveted spot as a professional dancer on season 35. This fresh concept bridges the gap between now and the main competition’s fall debut.

The spin-off signals that DWTS is expanding its universe and investing heavily in finding fresh talent. Producers want to showcase the next generation of dance professionals before they join season 35. It’s a savvy move that builds anticipation and gives viewers something to watch during summer. Fans will get to know potential partners for season 35 contestants before the main show even starts.

What’s Next for Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins?

Both Ciara and Maura are stepping into the unknown with their DWTS journey. Miller has always been careful about which opportunities she accepts, making this commitment significant. Higgins is fresh off her Traitors run and ready for her next challenge in front of the cameras. Together, they represent a perfect blend of established reality TV presence and exciting new energy. Their pairing with pro dancers will determine much of the season’s chemistry and storylines.

The question everyone’s asking is simple: who will they dance with, and how far can they go? DWTS season 35 launches September 16, and the clock is ticking. Whether you’re rooting for the Summer House star or the Traitors breakout, one thing’s certain: this season is shaping up to be absolutely unmissable television.

Sources

• Cosmopolitan – First confirmation of Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins as season 35 cast members announced at Hulu Get Real event
• People Magazine – Detailed coverage of the official cast announcement and season 35 premiere details
• Deadline – News of DWTS season 35 renewal with casting announcements and premiere date confirmation