Dancing With the Stars: 6 Important Details You Need to Know About Season 23

By Kelsie Gibson
Getty | Matthew Eisman
Getty | Matthew Eisman

Dancing With the Stars season 23 is coming, and we can barely contain our excitement. While ABC has yet to reveal the official casting list, we already have a handful of details about the upcoming season, including which pro dancers will be making a reappearance! If you love the show as much as we do, be sure to brush up on the most important information below, and then look back at the amazing behind-the-scenes photos from this season.

The Cast

The entire cast will be announced on Good Morning America on Aug. 30; we already have a handful of rumored contestants, including Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte and The Bachelorette's JoJo Fletcher.

The Pro Dancers

During an appearance on GMA, Val Chmerkovskiy revealed that season 22 pros Witney Carson, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Lindsay Arnold, and Sasha Farber would all be coming back this season. In addition, there are also a few notable alums returning to the ballroom this year. Not only will Allison Holker be back after giving birth to her first child with husband Stephen "tWitch" Boss, but fan favorite Maksim Chmerkovskiy is also set to appear, along with the Houghs!

The Judges

After Julianne Hough's exit last season, the panel will include the original trio, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba, this year.

The Opening Number

The two-hour season premiere will begin with the show's largest scale opening number ever as the the pros dance at Griffith Observatory.

The Set List

Here's the set list from the first episode!

  • Jake T. Austin and Jenna Johnson – Jive – "Kiss You" by One Direction
  • Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Allison Holker – Foxtrot – "Deed I Do" by Ray Charles
  • Marilu Henner and Derek Hough – Jive – "Can't Stop Dancing" by Becky G
  • Laurie Hernandez and Valentin Chmerkovskiy – Cha Cha – "American Girl" by Bonnie McKee
  • James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess – Foxtrot – "Live Life" by Zayde Wølf
  • Calvin Johnson Jr. and Lindsay Arnold – Cha Cha – "That's What I Like" by Flo Rida feat. FitzLunchmoney
  • Terra Jolé and Sasha Farber – Jive – "Stuff Like That There" by Betty Hutton
  • Jana Kramer and Gleb Savchenko – Viennese Waltz – "Dangerous Woman" by Ariana Grande
  • Ryan Lochte and Cheryl Burke – Foxtrot – "Call Me Irresponsible" by Michael Bublé
  • Maureen McCormick and Artem Chigvintsev – Viennese Waltz – "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman" by Mary J. Blige
  • Rick Perry and Emma Slater – Cha Cha – "God Blessed Texas" by Little Texas
  • Amber Rose and Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Foxtrot – "Here" by Alessia Cara
  • Vanilla Ice and Witney Carson – Cha Cha – "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice

The Premiere Date

You can catch the new season when it premieres on ABC on Sept. 12.