‘DWTS’ Just Confirmed Two Dance-Movie Icons for Season 35, and Fans Aren’t Happy

Dancing with the Stars just announced the full Season 35 cast, and yes, it does include two rumored celeb dance movie icons.

Social media sleuths speculated that Step Up star Jenna Dewan and Save the Last Dance’s Julia Stiles would join Summer House’s Ciara Miller, Love Island’s Maura Higgins, Savannah Bananas’ Jackson Olson, and Jimmy Kimmel Live’s Guillermo Rodriguez as confirmed celebrities.

Earlier this week, the show announced its host and judge lineup, featuring returning fan favorites Julianne Hough, Alfonso Ribeiro, Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. But on Wednesday, September 2, on Good Morning America, DWTS finally gave the fans what they’ve been waiting for … the full cast list.

While some of the new celebs are new to the dance floor, actress Jenna Dewan is an experienced professional. Of course, that doesn’t mean she’s the actual pro. Instead, her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, is the true DWTS “Pro” of the pair.

Dewan’s decades-long career includes stints as a backup dancer for music icons such as Janet Jackson, Missy Elliot, and Christina Aguilera. She also famously starred in the first Step Up movie, alongside her now-ex-husband, Channing Tatum. The actress’s credits also include hosting World of Dance, guest judging So You Think You Can Dance, and starring on ABC’s The Rookie.

The new Dancing with the Stars celeb posted pics of herself and her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, on Instagram immediately after the announcement, gushing, “Eeeee here we go @dwts season 35!!! I truly do not have the words to express my excitement and gratitude for this once in a lifetime opportunity…!! And to be dancing with the absolutely incredible @valentin!! What a life!”

Julia Stiles also joins Season 35, as the reality competition show’s other dance movie legend. The actress’s breakout turn in 1999’s 10 Things I Hate About You led to roles in Hamlet, Down to You, the Bourne Identity, Mona Lisa Smile, Silver Linings Playbook, The Bourne Ultimatum, and of course, 2001’s Save the Last Dance. Stiles is paired with DWTS Pro Ezra Sosa.

So, what do fans think of Jenna and Julia on DWTS?

The show’s fans took to Instagram ASAP, giving their views on the new dance movie celeb stars — slamming the show for casting Jenna. One wrote, “They’re gonna vote Jenna Dewan off earlier like last year Whitney because she is a dancer”, while others added, “Putting Val with Jenna is wrong!”, “How can Jenna be participating? She’s a dancer,” and “I love her, but isn’t Jenna Dewan a professional dancer? They have a total advantage.”

Fans continued the rant on another Instagram post, adding, “Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr., already established dancers…why are they on this show?” and “Jenna Dewan, a professional dancer, as a contestant is completely absurd.”