"Dancing With the Stars" Demonstrates That We Are Becoming Like Our Parents.

      Growing up, my grandma’s passion for ballroom dancing was one of her most notable traits. You couldn’t have a conversation with her for five minutes without her incorporating a mention of the foxtrot, commenting on how a particular song would be perfect for a samba, or sharing fond memories of an award-winning ballroom move she once mastered. Naturally, her enthusiasm for ballroom dancing extended to the ultimate showcase of the art form in pop culture—Dancing with the Stars. There was nothing I enjoyed more than sitting on the couch with her, assuming the role of a pseudo-judge as we critiqued every performance on TV.

      While I cherish these moments with my grandma, for many years, Dancing with the Stars was merely a show to watch with her. It wasn't something that sparked excitement in group chats; it was that television program beloved by parents, which you might catch a glimpse of when you entered the living room. However, after 34 seasons, this perception has entirely shifted.

      Nowadays, you can hardly scroll through TikTok without encountering some form of Dancing with the Stars content. Record numbers for voting are achieved each week, and the show’s widespread obsession seems to be one area where Gen Z and millennials find common ground. But what accounts for the resurgence of this once-niche show, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary? Is there a similar phenomenon brewing for American Idol? I’m breaking down the factors that make this season of Dancing with the Stars stand out—and why it’s become such a hot topic of conversation.

      Why is Dancing with the Stars more popular than ever?

      The TikTok-ification of Dancing with the Stars

      If you’re a new fan of DWTS, it might seem like everyone suddenly began watching this season, but the show actually started its comeback a few years back when Rylee Arnold—pro dancer and younger sister of former pro Lindsay Arnold—joined the cast as the youngest professional. By sharing her journey on TikTok, she attracted a wave of younger viewers eager to cheer her on. Her partnership with reality TV star Harry Jowsey and the ensuing showmance rumors further fueled online enthusiasm. Additionally, her friend Ezra Sosa, a member of the Dancing with the Stars troupe (a group of dancers who support the pros and perform brief routines between dances), also gained a significant TikTok following, drawing in even more fans.

      The following season, after Rylee and Ezra's audiences grew tremendously, the show promoted Ezra to pro and strategically catered to online viewers in a fresh way. Casting director Deena Katz capitalized on this TikTok traction by featuring a mix of internet celebrities and renowned personalities (who can forget Anna Delvey’s brief yet impactful appearance in the ballroom?). She even attracted one of the most influential online communities, the Swifties, by including the internet’s favorite Taylor Swift backup dancer, Jan Ravnik, in this season's pro lineup.

      “The fan engagement—from casting votes to sharing posts—has turned DWTS from a show you maybe knew about to a viewing giant that competes with the most popular Sunday night features on HBO.”

      In a shift from casting less prominent sitcom actors seeking a fleeting moment of fame, this season’s lineup features some of the internet’s most talked-about figures: Alix Earle, Whitney Leavitt, Robert Irwin, Jordan Chiles, and Jen Affleck. Even the older stars who aren’t influencers have created viral moments on TikTok. Elaine Hendrix, known for her acting, saw the Meredith Blake aesthetic (from one of her iconic roles) become a notable trend on TikTok. This season, eliminated professionals have started hosting TikTok livestreams during the show broadcasts, allowing fans to engage in the DWTS conversation without leaving the app. Rather than sticking to traditional methods, the show embraced modern engagement by casting individuals we’re already following and appreciating online.

      Everyone is part of the conversation

      The show didn’t just assemble an exceptional cast and expect everything else to naturally unfold. They recognized the significance of what happens beyond the show itself: the online discussions that follow. Fans need more than just an affinity for the contestants; their engagement, from voting to posting, is what has elevated DWTS from a show you might have heard about to a cultural powerhouse comparable to popular Sunday night selections on HBO.

      In addition to the TikTok livestreams, the show has also rolled out an official Dancing with the Stars podcast hosted by last year’s winner and Bachelor star Joey Graziadei. Each week, he interviews celebrities and pros, providing fans with even more material for discussion. Previous pros have also entered the trend, utilizing their own podcasts and social media to recap episodes, critique performances, discuss judges’ scores, and share their professional insights. Simultaneously, every pro and celebrity has made an effort to interact with fans and rally votes through social media. With an abundance of vlog content released weekly, there’s something to engage with every day between episodes. Plus, fans are continuously sharing their