With Dancing With the Stars set to come back for a 34th season this fall, there’s a long list of celebrities who deserve to compete on the dance floor. Three of our past suggestions came true: Frankie Muniz (third place, Season 25), Kel Mitchell (second place, Season 28), and Jamie Lynn Spears (13th place, Season 32). Robert Irwin and Alix Earle have already been confirmed for next season. Below is a list of other celebs we think the show should consider inviting to the ballroom to vie for the next Mirror Ball Trophy. Do you agree with our picks? Vote in our poll at the bottom of this post to let us know which you'd most like to see on DWTS. And feel free to let us know in the reality TV forum what other stars you'd love to see when the show comes back in September.
Christie Brinkley
This model, actress, illustrator, photographer, writer, designer, and activist was previously set to compete on Season 28, but suffered injuries to her wrist and arm that required emergency surgery. So her daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook, came in at the last minute, and was the third to be eliminated. Christie deserves another shot at the competition.
Billy Campbell
This actor has a nostalgia factor going for him from his recurring role as Luke Fuller on the ABC series, Dynasty, and starring role as Cliff Secord in Disney's 1991 cult film The Rocketeer. A spot on Dancing With the Stars would bring him back to the Mouse House.
Zach Galligan
This actor is best known for his starring role as Billy Peltzer in the Gremlins films. The property is still relevant given the current HBO Max animated prequel series. With that in mind coupled with his nostalgia factor, he'd be a worthy addition to the competition. Nostalgic stars are often big hits in the ballroom, including Season 19 champ Alfonso Ribeiro, Frankie Muniz, and Kel Mitchell.
Cynthia Gibb
This actress and former model has proven to be a triple threat from her roles as Holly Laird on the TV series, Fame, and Louise in the 1993 TV movie adaptation of Gypsy starring Bette Midler. Although like Season 11 champ Jennifer Grey, she might be accused of being a ringer due to her background. But despite this, it’s time we see another mature female celebrity become a contender for the Mirror Ball Trophy.
Leslie Grace
She's already achieved success as a singer-songwriter from having earned three Latin Grammy nominations. Not only that, but she also got to show off her skills as a triple threat in the 2021 film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical, In the Heights. With that background in mind, she'd make an exciting addition to the competition. Recording artists who've previously contended for the Mirror Ball trophy include Mya (Season 9 runner-up), Nicole Scherzinger (Season 10 champ), Brandy (Season 11), Normani Kordei (Season 24), and Jason Mraz (Season 32 runner-up).
Lauren Graham
This actress is best known for her roles as Lorelai on Gilmore Girls and Sarah on Parenthood. Not only that, but she's also tackled singing and dancing on Broadway as Adelaide in the 2009 revival of Guys & Dolls. With that background, coupled with her nostalgia factor, she would be an exciting addition to the competition.
Liza Koshy
This social media personality has a huge following. Her main YouTube channel alone has almost 17 million subscribers while her two channels have a combined total of more than 3 billion views. TikTok star Charli D'Amelio managed to win Season 31. If any famous YouTuber deserves a shot at the Mirror Ball Trophy, it's Koshy.
Jimmy Ma
The professional figure skater is the 2025 Four Continents bronze medalist, 2021 Golden Spin of Zagreb bronze medalist, the 2018 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic bronze medalist, the Philadelphia Summer International silver medalist, and the 2021 Cranberry International silver medalist. He's also competed in nine senior U.S. national championships. Figure skaters have won DWTS three times before: Kristi Yamaguchi (Season 6), Meryl Davis (Season 18), and Adam Rippon (Season 26). So maybe Ma should consider trading in his ice skates for dancing shoes.
Chad Michael Murray
This actor is best known for his roles as Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill and Jake in Disney's 2003 remake of Freaky Friday. He's also set to return for the upcoming sequel, Freakier Friday. As Disney is the parent company of ABC, which airs DWTS, it would make a lot of sense for him to enter the ballroom. Actors from teen drama shows have done well before, with James Van Der Beek coming close to making it to the finals in 2019.
Brandon Routh
Last season, Stephen Nedoroscik, the Clark Kent/Superman of the 2024 Olympic Games, made quite an impression in the ballroom, finishing in fourth place. With the iconic DC superhero about to be relevant again with a new movie coming out this summer, why not have an actor who's previously played the Man of Steel on the big screen (in 2006's Superman Returns) in addition to the Atom in the CW's Arrowverse compete as well?
Tom Everett Scott
This actor first came on the scene as drummer Guy Patterson in Tom Hanks' 1996 cult film, That Thing You Do!. Since then, he's appeared on several popular TV shows such as ER, Law & Order, Southland, 13 Reasons Why, and currently The Summer I Turned Pretty. Nearly 20 years later, it's about time he trades in those drumsticks for dancing shoes.
Shanice Shantay
This actress-singer burst onto the scene in the coveted role of Dorothy in NBC's The Wiz Live! in 2015. Most recently, she appeared as Johnnie Mae in Tyler Perry's Netflix film, The Six Triple Eight. With her musical background in mind, she'd be a natural fit for the ballroom.
