“Vanderpump Rules” star Ariana Madix is the first celebrity contestant joining Season 32 of “Dancing With the Stars,” which will return to ABC this fall after moving exclusively to Disney+ last season.
“This season on Dancing With The Stars, we are going absolutely mad. Mad for Madix,” Judge Derek Hough said in an announcement on “Good Morning America” Friday. “Say goodbye to the drama and hello to the dance floor.”
The announcement comes after Hough and Madix were spotted eating lunch at Something About Her, the sandwich shop she co-owns with Katie Maloney. The next day, a teaser for the show was shared via the GMA Twitter account that was filmed inside the shop.
The reality competition series features celebrities who are paired with trained ballroom dancers that compete in themed choreographed dance routines that are judged by a panel of ballroom experts.
In addition to Hough, judges include Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Hough will serve as head judge following the retirement of Len Goodman last season. The 78-year-old, who was diagnosed with bone cancer, died at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in April.
The show, which is produced in front of a live audience by BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions, is hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough. She is replacing Tyra Banks, who exited the hosting gig after three seasons.
The full cast of celebrities and pro dancers will be announced on Sept. 13. In addition to airing on ABC, Season 32 of “Dancing With the Stars” will be simulcast on Disney+ and stream next day on Hulu.
In addition to “Dancing With The Stars,” production is underway for Season 11 of “Vanderpump Rules.”
Season 10 saw Madix discover her live-in boyfriend Tom Sandoval was secretly hooking up with her best friend Raquel Leviss months, including in their shared home. The show went back into production to capture the fallout, which culminated with a three-part reunion where Madix confronted Sandoval and Leviss, leading to a boost in ratings.
Lisa Vanderpump is also expanding the reality franchise to Hulu with “Vanderpump Villa,” which received a 10-episode series order. A premiere date for that show will be revealed at a later date.
