Dancing with the Stars 2026 Viral Hits Night: Song Choices and Dance Styles
The competition heats up as 14 couples return to the ballroom for “Viral Hits Night” on Dancing with the Stars. This themed episode pairs iconic viral songs and internet moments with classic ballroom and Latin dance styles, challenging celebrities and their professional partners to blend contemporary music with traditional choreography.
Viral Hits Night airs TUESDAY, SEPT. 22 (8:00–10:00 p.m. EDT/PDT, 7:00–9:00 p.m. CDT), simulcasting live across ABC and Disney+ in local time zones and available the next day on Hulu. The episode is staged in front of a live audience and produced by BBC Studios.
The couples (along with their dance styles and songs) are the following:
- Amber Glenn and partner Pasha Pashkov — Tango to “All the Things She Said” (Harrison)
- Taylor Hanson and partner Britt Stewart — Cha Cha to “Cake By the Ocean” (DNCE)
- Harry Shum Jr. and partner Jenna Johnson — Viennese Waltz to “Iris” (Goo Goo Dolls)
- Guillermo Rodriguez and partner Witney Carson — Paso Doble to “Where Have You Been” (Rihanna)
- Jackson Olson and partner Emma Slater — Foxtrot to “That’s So True” (Gracie Abrams)
- Tatyana Ali and partner Jan Ravnik — Foxtrot to “What Was I Made For?” (Billie Eilish)
- Ezra Frech and partner Daniella Karagach — Cha Cha to “Low” (Flo Rida)
- Tyler Cameron and partner Sharna Burgess — Salsa to “Girls” (The Kid LAROI)
- Connor Wood and partner Rylee Arnold — Tango to “12 to 12” (sombr)
- Maura Higgins and partner Mark Ballas — Cha Cha to “September” (Earth, Wind & Fire)
- Ciara Miller and partner Brandon Armstrong — Tango to “No Broke Boys” (Disco Lines & Tinashe)
- Julia Stiles and partner Ezra Sosa — Tango to “The Door” (Teddy Swims)
- Jenna Dewan and partner Val Chmerkovskiy — Jive to “Animal” (KATSEYE)
- Giada De Laurentiis and partner Alan Bersten — Salsa to “Bella Ciao” (Becky G)
Each pairing combines the energy of a viral track with a particular ballroom or Latin discipline. Tango and Paso Doble bring dramatic intensity and sharp staccato movements well suited to emotionally charged anthems, while Cha Cha, Salsa and Jive emphasize syncopation and playful footwork that complement upbeat viral hits. Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz offer smoother lines and sweeping movement for songs with more melodic or nostalgic tones.
Choreographers and music producers often adapt these viral songs for the competitive format, creating transitions, musical hits and arrangements built to showcase lifts, holds and partnered storytelling. Expect costume and staging choices that reference the original online moments while keeping the routines grounded in ballroom technique.
VOTING
Fans may vote live during the simulcast in the Eastern and Central time zones. Online voting will be open to viewers in any U.S. time zone, U.S. territories and Canada via dwtsvote.abc.com, and participating U.S. wireless carriers will offer SMS/text voting (note: fans in Canada cannot vote via SMS/text). Live viewer votes are combined with the judges’ scores to determine which couples are at risk of elimination.
Voting plays a crucial role each week, as viewer participation can tip the balance when judges’ scores are close. To ensure your vote counts, follow the show’s instructions during the live broadcast for the appropriate voting window and accepted methods.
For fans who want more context, the Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast provides post-show coverage. Hosted by Season 34 contestant Andy Richter, the podcast features cast interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, expert breakdowns of routines and occasional guest appearances. New episodes are released every Thursday on Disney+, Hulu and major podcast platforms.
Dancing with the Stars is co-hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough. The judging panel includes Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough, who offer technical feedback and score each performance. With themed nights like Viral Hits Night, the series blends pop culture, social media influences and traditional ballroom competition to create memorable television moments.
As the field narrows, Viral Hits Night is an opportunity for contestants to make bold artistic choices, connect with viewers through familiar music and demonstrate growth in performance quality. Whether you tune in for the choreography, the music selections or the competitive drama, this episode promises a mix of high-energy numbers, emotional pieces and inventive choreography built around tracks that dominated online conversations.