A compelling television series built around distinctive characters, escalating conflicts, and a premise designed to keep viewers invested.
2026
Reality TV
8 episodes
TheNextHint Score
8.2
8.2 / 10
Overview
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro lets viewers see behind the scenes and learn what it takes to become a professional dancer on one of TV's most famous dance competitions. Rather than matching celebrities with professional dancers, the show centers only on dancers who are trying to win that professional spot for themselves.
Twelve contestants live together in one house and train as a group while taking on challenges that get harder and harder. Robert Irwin is the host of the competition, and Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas serve as judges for the performances. Guest mentors such as Derek Hough, Brandon Armstrong, Britt Stewart, Jenna Johnson, Daniella Karagach, Witney Carson and Kym Johnson help the dancers improve different parts of their performance skills.
Quick Verdict
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro is made for people who like dance competitions and want to see what happens before a dancer makes it to the professional ballroom. What sets it apart most is that the prize is a real professional spot on Dancing with the Stars, not just a usual reality-show trophy. The mentors who rotate and the challenges that change also make the competition structured differently from the main series.
Where to Watch Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro in the US
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro is a reality dance competition show made as a spin-off of Dancing with the Stars. The series features 12 rising professional dancers who live and train together as they compete for a spot in the professional lineup of Dancing with the Stars Season 35. Robert Irwin hosts the show, with Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas serving as the main judges, while well-known Dancing with the Stars pros take turns as mentors and guest judges.
The competition started with challenges focused on technique and slowly tested the dancers in storytelling, group choreography, chemistry, teaching, and working with established pros. The contestants danced various ballroom, Latin, and contemporary routines while facing eliminations all through the season. Filming happened in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
The first season, made up of eight episodes, premiered on ABC on July 13, 2026, and episodes streamed on Hulu and Disney+ the next day. The finale aired on August 31, 2026, and Adele Zaikman won the title of “Next Pro,” with AJ Pritchard and Selena Hamilton finishing behind her.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro about?
Robert Irwin hosts the Dancing with the Stars spin-off where 12 professional dancers compete to be the newest pro on the upcoming season of its parent show. Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley Ballas will be on a judging panel that will include different pros rotating in each week.
Is Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro a spin-off of Dancing with the Stars?
Yes. It is a spin-off that focuses on finding a new professional dancer for Dancing with the Stars.
How many contestants compete in The Next Pro?
The first season begins with 12 up-and-coming professional dancers.
Who won Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro Season 1?
Adele Zaikman won the first season. AJ Pritchard was the runner-up, while Selena Hamilton finished third.
Story — Spoiler Free
Twelve driven dancers move into one house together and start a tough audition process for a professional spot on Dancing with the Stars. They deal with challenges that involve dance skills, storytelling, working as a team, chemistry, choreography and teaching. As fewer dancers remain, they have to show they can not only perform hard routines but also adjust to new partners, styles and creative demands.
8.2
TheNextHint Score
8.2 / 10
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro is made for people who like dance competitions and want to see what happens before a dancer makes it to the professional ballroom. What sets it apart most is that the prize is a real professional spot on Dancing with the Stars, not just a usual reality-show trophy. The mentors who rotate and the challenges that change also make the competition structured differently from the main series.
Rating breakdown
Story
8.0
Acting
7.6
Direction
8.0
Visuals
8.6
Sound
8.2
Entertainment
8.8
External Ratings
Scores from other sources, shown in their own scale. These are not TheNextHint's rating.
Strong dance performances, professional mentors, a clear competition goal, varied challenges, and a direct connection to the main Dancing with the Stars franchise.
Cons
Viewers mainly interested in celebrity contestants may find the professional-dancer-focused format less familiar, while some competition stages can feel similar from week to week.
Release Date
2026-07-13
Runtime
Approximately 42–44 minutes per episode
Director
Justin Mabardi
Producer
Conrad Green, Ryan O'Dowd, Krystal Whitney, Alex Cross, Jenny Groom, Derek Hough, Deena Katz, Quinn Lipton
Writer
Michael Ward
Cast
Robert Irwin, Mark Ballas, Shirley Ballas, Adele Zaikman, AJ Pritchard, Selena Hamilton, Allen Genkin, Nina Mayster, Erik Linder, Stephani Sosa, Tristen Sanders, Natalie Jolley, Benjamin Castro, Briar Nolet, Jake Monreal
Guides the contestants through the competition and introduces the weekly challenges.
Mark Ballas
as
Judge
Serves as one of the two permanent judges.
Shirley Ballas
as
Shirley Ballas
Serves as the second permanent judge.
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
8 episodes July 13, 2026Completed
In Season 1, 12 dancers at a professional level take on a series of challenges that get harder each time, all for the opportunity to become a professional on Dancing with the Stars. Before the final three battle for the Next Pro title, the contestants have to show what they can do in technique, storytelling, group choreography, chemistry, teaching, and performance.
1The Journey Begins: Technique with Derek Hough
43 min July 13, 2026
The 12 dancers begin their professional audition by being tested on jive and samba technique under Derek Hough's guidance.
2Stories Without Words: Storytelling with Brandon Armstrong
42 min July 20, 2026
The remaining dancers use personal stories to create performances focused on connection, emotion and partnership.
3You're Only as Strong as Your Weakest Link: Group Work with Britt Stewart
42 min July 27, 2026
The dancers tackle a demanding group routine that tests teamwork, timing and their ability to learn choreography quickly.
4Bring on the Intensity: Chemistry with Jenna Johnson
43 min August 3, 2026
Jenna Johnson challenges the couples to build trust and chemistry through rumba and Argentine tango performances.
5"Wow" Moments with Daniella Karagach
42 min August 10, 2026
The dancers create attention-grabbing routines using one of Daniella Karagach's signature moves and draw inspiration from animals at Australia Zoo.
6But Can You Teach? Coaching Superfans with Witney Carson
42 min August 17, 2026
The dancers must teach ballroom routines to Dancing with the Stars superfans within just two days while competing for a semifinal place.
7Paired with the Pros: Semi-Finals with Kym Johnson
43 min August 24, 2026
The final four work with Rylee Arnold, Gleb Savchenko, Jan Ravnik and Witney Carson in two semifinal rounds.
8The Final Step: Finale with Derek Hough and Witney Carson
43 min August 31, 2026
The final three perform with former Dancing with the Stars finalists Charli D'Amelio, Nev Schulman and Adam Rippon for the title of Next Pro.
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