Following picketing by the Writers Guild of America at several Dancing with the Stars rehearsal locations on Wednesday (September 20), contestant Matt Walsh has announced he is pausing his participation in the ABC dance competition until the WGA reaches an agreement. Walsh, who dances with professional partner Koko Iwasaki, is a member of the WGA as well as SAG-AFTRA and the DGA.
Industry reports indicate that WGA pickets at DWTS rehearsals have made some talent uneasy about continuing on the show. With mounting pressure from union members, additional celebrities are reportedly weighing whether to withdraw, a situation that could complicate production plans for the upcoming season.
ABC may postpone Dancing with the Stars September 26 premiere amid strike
ABC is preparing contingency plans that could delay the Dancing with the Stars premiere, which is currently scheduled as a 2½-hour broadcast on Tuesday, September 26. Network officials are assessing whether the show can proceed if a few contestants step away, but executives acknowledge that the program depends on its celebrity cast; the loss of multiple participants could force a postponement of the season launch or require significant format changes.
Producers are closely monitoring union developments and talent decisions. If only a single cast member withdraws, production may be able to continue with adjustments. However, as more celebrities express reluctance to appear while the WGA defines the show as struck work, the risk of a delayed premiere increases.
Matt Walsh walked out of rehearsal when he learned DWTS was covered by WGA
“I am taking a pause from Dancing with the Stars until an agreement is made with the WGA,” Walsh said in a statement to industry media. He explained that he joined the show under the understanding it did not fall under WGA jurisdiction. After being informed by the WGA that Dancing with the Stars is considered struck work, Walsh left rehearsal and emphasized his support for union colleagues across WGA, SAG-AFTRA and DGA. He also expressed concern for the many crew and staff affected by the strike and voiced hope for a fair, expedited resolution so he can return to work with the DWTS team in the future.
Dancing with the Stars officially employs one WGA writer among roughly 500 total staff members, which classifies it as a show covered by the WGA. At the same time, performers on the series — including celebrity cast members, hosts, judges and professional dancers — are cleared to work under SAG-AFTRA’s Network Code agreement. That actors’ agreement is separate from the current WGA labor action, creating a complex situation in which different unions have distinct rules about participation.
The Writers Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are scheduled to meet again on Thursday for further negotiations. Sources have described the previous session as encouraging, and both sides plan to continue discussions in hopes of reaching common ground. If the WGA and AMPTP reach an agreement quickly and union members feel comfortable returning, it could allow Dancing with the Stars to move forward as planned. Conversely, prolonged negotiations would increase the likelihood of production delays.
Beyond the immediate scheduling concerns, the dispute highlights broader industry tensions during a period of labor activism across film and television. Shows with mixed union coverage, like Dancing with the Stars, face particularly difficult choices because writers, actors and other crafts may be governed by different contracts and strike rules. Producers must balance creative timelines, contractual obligations and the welfare of staff and talent while responding to evolving union guidance.
For viewers and fans, the coming days will determine whether the season premiere proceeds as scheduled on September 26 or is postponed until the unions and producers reach a resolution. In the meantime, cast members, crew and network executives continue to evaluate options and await further news from union negotiations.