Dancing With the Stars is returning for its 35th season on September 15. While several fan favorites are returning, veteran pros Farber and Savchenko will not be part of the professional lineup.
Farber's 'not my choice' admission
The professional roster for the upcoming season has sparked controversy following a social media update from Farber, 42. On September 4, Farber posted a photo of himself at the Television City Studios lot in Los Angeles,which prompted fans to ask why he was missing from the official cast announcement. According to the report, Farber explicitly responded to these inquiries by stating that his absence from the competition was "not his choice."
This admission suggests a tension between the performer and the production team at ABC. This shift reflects a broader pattern in long-running reality competitions where legacy talent is periodically cycled out to refresh the brand. Farber has been a fixture of the program since his appearance in Season 17 back in 2013, and his recent absence from Season 34 suggests a growing distance between the dancer and the show's current direction.
Witney Carson and Val Chmerkovskiy lead the Season 35 returnees
Despite the loss of two veterans, the ballroom remains anchored by several established stars. As reported by the source, returning professionals include reigning mirrorball champion Witney Carson, Val Chmerkovskiy, Rylee Arnold, Sharna Burgess , and Ezra Sosa. These dancers are tasked with guiding a new slate of celebrities through the competition.
The celebrity contestants were unveiled during the September 2 episode of Good Morning America. The confirmed lineup includes participants such as Ciara Miller, Maura Higgins, Jackson Olson, and Guillermo Rodriguez. The mixture of returning pro expertise and new celebrity energy is designed to maintain the show's viewership as it hits its 35th milestone season.
The silence from ABC regarding Savchenko's 'next chapter'
While Farber's exit appears contentious, Savchenko, also 42, has presented a more amicable departure. Savchenko shared a message of gratitude on Instagram , urging fans to stop sending apologetic messages and stating he is in a "good place" as he moves toward his next chapter. Unlike Farber, Savchenko did not imply that his departure was forced by the network.
However, several details remain opaque. It is currently unknown what specific "next chapter" Savchenko is pursuing, and the source provides no official statement from ABC production regarding the criteria used to select the pro troupe for this season. Furthermore, it remains unclear if Farber's presence at Television City Studios indicates a new, non-dancing role within the production or if he was simply visiting the lot.
The September 15 two-night premiere on ABC and Disney Plus
The competition officially begins with a two-night event on Tuesday, September 15,and Wednesday, September 16. both premiere episodes are scheduled to air at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. the broadcast will be available on both ABC and Disney Plus, continuing the franchise's strategy of integrating linear television with streaming platforms to capture a wider demographic.
Farber has expressed public support for the upcoming run despite his exclusion, noting that the field looks "wide open" for any of the contestants to take home the mirrorball trophy.. This public display of sportsmanship contrasts with his claim that he was not chosen to participate , leaving fans to wonder about the internal politics of the Dancing With the Stars ballroom.
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