‘Save the Last Dance’ actress Julia Stiles joins ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35 cast

Julia Stiles, the actress best known for the 2001 film ‘Save the Last Dance,’ has been added to the roster of celebrities competing on ABC’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35. The cast also includes Whitney Leavitt’s husband Conner and Brooks Nader’s sister Sarah Jane, expanding the lineup beyond typical celebrity categories. Coverage of the cast reveal appears across several entertainment outlets. Yahoo published two identical stories titled “Julia Stiles, Tatyana Ali and More Familiar Faces Allegedly Ready to Heat Up ‘DWTS’,” emphasizing the presence of familiar faces. News focused on Tyler Cameron and Jenna Dewan joining the competition.

Us Weekly highlighted the involvement of Conner and Sarah Jane, noting their connections to Whitney Leavitt and Brooks Nader. Deadline offered a comprehensive list of all Season 35 contestants competing for the mirrorball trophy, while Page Six reported specifically on Stiles’ addition to the show. ‘Dancing With the Stars’ is a long‑running ABC dance‑competition series in which celebrities are paired with professional partners and judged each week for a chance to win the mirrorball trophy. Season 35 continues the format that has produced multiple spin‑offs and high‑profile performances since its debut. Stiles’ prior experience portraying a dancer on screen may give her a narrative edge, and the inclusion of actors, reality personalities, and family members reflects the show’s strategy of blending star power with personal connections to attract a broad audience. The series routinely leverages familiar faces to boost ratings and social media engagement.

Viewers can expect the Season 35 premiere to showcase the new cast’s first routines, with judges and audience votes determining early rankings. As the competition progresses, pairings with professional dancers and weekly elimination results will shape the race for the mirrorball trophy. Coverage does not yet specify the exact premiere date, judging panel, or performance themes, leaving those details to be confirmed in upcoming press releases. Anticipation now centers on how Stiles and the other newcomers will fare against seasoned competitors in the weeks ahead.