'DWTS' champion Robert Irwin to host reality spinoff 'The Next Pro'
'DWTS' champion Robert Irwin to host reality spinoff 'The Next Pro'
Bryan Alexander and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY Thu, April 23, 2026 at 12:19 AM UTC
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LOS ANGELES — "Dancing with the Stars" champion Robert Irwin is helping to expand the hot ABC ballroom competition reality franchise, hosting a new spinoff series, "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro."
Hulu announced the new summer reality show featuring wildlife conservationist Irwin, 22, the social media-savvy winner of "DWTS" Season 34, at the "Get Real House" event on Wednesday, April 22.
"The Next Pro" will feature 12 up-and-coming dancers who move into a house together and compete through the audition process, vying for a spot as a pro dancer on the upcoming Season 35 of "Dancing with the Stars."
Three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas and his pro dancing mother, Shirley Ballas, will serve as judges.
"Crikey, this is going to be fun," Aussie Irwin said from the stage at the event, taking a breaking from the "DWTS" tour with partner Witney Carson.
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The group will be joined by a lineup of returning pros who will serve as rotating mentors and guest judges. These judges will be announced at a later date.
"The Next Pro" will premiere July 13 (8 EDT/PDT) on ABC, with episodes available the next day on Hulu.
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Maura Higgins attends the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
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'Traitors,' 'Love Island' star Maura Higgins joins 'DWTS' Season 35
Maura Higgins, star of "The Traitors" and "Love Island," and "Summer House" star Ciara Miller will join "DWTS" Season 35 as the first two celebrity cast members.
Hulu officially announced the show has been renewed for Season 35 after blockbuster ratings for Season 34.
"A brand new bombshell is entering the ball room," Alfonso Ribeiro, "DWTS" host, said from the stage about Higgins.
Higgins said being a "DWTS" contestant has been on her vision-board.
"I'm going to give it my all," said Higgins. "I've got two left feet, so it might not go to well."
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Miller was not able to attend the Los Angeles event, but sent a video from New York City expressing her excitement about joining the cast for Season 5.
The full "DWTS" cast will be announced later.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'DWTS' reality spinoff 'The Next Pro' to be hosted by Robert Irwin
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
