At the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, executive producer Andrew Llinares announced a major change to the voting format for Dancing with the Stars. During a panel on Friday, Llinares revealed that the show will move to real-time voting similar to its ABC sister competition, American Idol. Viewers will be able to cast votes for their favorite couples during the live broadcast, and eliminations will be determined by those votes at the end of the same episode.
The panel was moderated by Ginger Zee and included longtime host Tom Bergeron along with former champions Rashad Jennings and Jordan Fisher. Llinares emphasized the goal of making the upcoming season feel bigger and more exciting after the show’s year-long hiatus. Introducing live voting is intended to increase immediacy and engagement, allowing performances from that evening to directly determine which couples remain in the competition.
Llinares explained that audiences will watch a performance show and then see the elimination results based on votes from that same night. He suggested the format offers opportunities for redemption: a couple that underperforms one week could deliver a standout routine the next night and be saved by viewers’ immediate responses. That focus on the night’s performances is one of the central reasons producers opted for this live voting approach.
During the Q&A, an audience member raised concerns about viewers on the West Coast by shouting “West Coast!” Llinares responded that West Coast viewers can still vote, but they will be voting when the show first airs in their time zone. He clarified the mechanics briefly but did not dwell on the logistical disadvantages that come with time-zone delays: West Coast fans may be commuting, working, or otherwise occupied when the show airs live earlier in the evening on the East Coast.
American Idol addressed the coast-to-coast issue by simulcasting its live shows so audiences across the country could watch and vote at the same time, typically by scheduling live broadcasts on Sundays. Llinares noted that a similar simultaneous approach would be difficult for Dancing with the Stars because preempting weekday network programming for an extended live simulcast presents scheduling challenges for affiliates. That logistical reality appears to be a key reason DWTS opted for a staggered live-vote model rather than a full national simulcast.
In addition to the voting change, producers intend to keep the celebrity-professional pairings under wraps until the live season premiere on Monday, September 15. The decision to conceal cast matchups aims to preserve first-night surprises, though it also raises the likelihood that rehearsal photos or other leaks could surface before the premiere. Many fans and observers expect at least some pairings to be revealed through spoilers prior to the live debut.
One notable cast change this season is the absence of a dance troupe. Since season 12, a troupe of professional dancers performed group numbers and supported competing couples; troupe members such as Britt Stewart and Hayley Erbert became fan favorites. This season, producers have decided not to include a troupe. Some fans have expressed disappointment and have suggested that promoting familiar troupe members into the main roster might have been preferable to introducing new professionals, including Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach.
Producers also announced one of the themed nights: Disney Night is scheduled for October 14. The show’s official social media posted: “Save the date! #DWTS Disney Night will be on October 14. See ya real soon!” Fans can expect the usual mix of family-friendly choreography and Disney music for that episode.
As the new season approaches, live voting and the decision to withhold cast pairings promise to shape viewer experience in fresh ways. The emphasis on immediate results seeks to heighten drama and reward standout performances on the night they occur, while the removal of the troupe and other production adjustments signal a season that aims to feel refreshed and more tightly focused on the competitors and their nightly routines.