Season 34 of the fan favorite Dancing With the Stars has kicked off. The Premiere episode aired Tuesday, September 16th, on ABC. 14 Professional dancers and their celebrity partners are all fighting it out for a chance to win the coveted Mirrorball trophy. However, an insider close to production has revealed that producers have picked a fan favorite to win, and they are giving them special attention with edits. Keep reading to find out more.
DWTS Season 34 Premieres With Fan Favorite Cast
Dancing With The Stars is a huge fan favorite. The dancing competition features 14 celebrities paired with professional dancers in an elimination-style competition. Fans often pick favorites before the season even begins. However, a show insider has revealed that it is the producers who are picking favorites this time around. Season 34 of the show kicked off earlier this week and featured many fan favorites.
The cast list is full of big names:
- Hilaria Baldwin: (author) with Gleb Savchenko
- Danielle Fishel: (actress) with Pasha Pashkov
- Alix Earle: (social media personality) with Val Chmerkovskiy
- Andy Richter: (comedian) with Emma Slater
- Elaine Hendrix: (actress) with Alan Bersten
- Jordan Chiles: (Olympic gymnast) with Ezra Sosa
- Baron Davis: (NBA All-Star) with Britt Stewart
- Dylan Efron: (actor) with Daniella Karagach
- Corey Feldman: (actor) with Jenna Johnson
- Scott Hoying: (musician) with Rylee Arnold
- Robert Irwin: (wildlife expert) with Witney Carson
- Lauren Jauregui: (singer) with Brandon Armstrong
- Jen Affleck: (author/influencer) with Jan Ravnik
- Whitney Leavitt: (realitystar/influencer) with Mark Ballas
DWTS fans eagerly watched the Season 34 Premiere. However they noticed some contestants where getting more screen time than others. One show insider explained that this was because producers have already selected their choice to when the Mirrorball trophy. The insider made claims that producers are “All in” on Robert Irwin and his pro dance partner Witney Carson.
Producers Single Out Favorite And Give Extra Screen Time
Given that Dancing With The Stars is a competition show producers are supposed to remain impartial and give all celebrity contestants and their partners equal air time. However the insider revealed that DWTS producers are fully committing to promoting Robert Irwin as the winner. The insider explained,
“Every season producers have their clear favorites they kind of give the ‘hero’s edit,’ but this year, it’s not even fair for the other contestants. The show is all in on Robert and Witney.”
Robert Irwin’s older sister Bindid won Season 21, and this has put pressure on Robert and production to keep things in the family. With Robert being so handsome, and resembiling his beloved late father Steve Irwin the insider reveal that he is a “Producers dream.” The insider further explained:
“(Producers) are heavily leaning into the nostalgic factor of Robert looking and acting so much like his dad. They love the family affair of Bindi being a former winner and are bringing her to the premiere, where she will be featured during his segments. The producers would be thrilled if Robert won because he’s that lovable, family-friendly, non-political figure they need right now. Not only that but his story tugs at the heartstrings and he’s always game to play ball. The show will do everything they can to support him making it to the end.”
Fans Have Chosen Who They Want To Win
Robert Irwin is not the only contestant that people are getting excited about. Many fans have their own favorites picked out. Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt and her pro partner Mark Ballas have been extremely popular. Mark is returning to the ballroom after a three years hiatus. The pair of been posting teasers on social media and the fans are eating it up. They dance wonderfully together and fans are eager to see more of the dance partners during Season 34.
Other fan favorites include Boy Meets World star Danielle Fishel, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, podcaster Alix Earle, The Traitors star Dylan Efron, as well as Alec Baldwin’s wife Hilaria. With so many talented individuals Season 34 of Dancing With The Stars is set to be a great time. this season will be hosted by Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro. The celebrities and their pro partners will be judged by Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough.
Do you already have a favorite for Season 34 of Dancing With The Stars? Let us know in the comments. DWTS will air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and PT on ABC and streaming on Disney+. Fans can also watch episodes the next day on Hulu.
