‘Dancing With the Stars’ Demonstrates That We're Turning Into Our Parents

      Growing up, one of my grandma's most notable characteristics was her passion for ballroom dancing. You could hardly have a conversation with her for five minutes without her making a mention of the foxtrot, remarking on how the song playing would make a wonderful samba, or reminiscing about some award-winning ballroom move she once mastered. Naturally, her love for ballroom dancing included an admiration for the pinnacle of ballroom dance in pop culture—Dancing with the Stars. I cherished those moments spent plopping down on the couch with her, taking on the role of a pseudo-judge, analyzing every performance on the screen.

      While I hold dear these memories with my grandma, for many years, Dancing with the Stars was simply that: a show to watch with your grandma. It wasn’t the topic of excitement in group chats; it was just that series your parents enjoyed which you might have caught a glimpse of while walking into the living room. However, after 34 seasons, that perception has completely transformed.

      Nowadays, opening TikTok almost guarantees you'll encounter Dancing with the Stars content. Voting records are shattered each week, and the shared excitement surrounding the show might be the one common interest between Gen Z and millennials. So what makes this show, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the most talked-about TV program at the moment? Could American Idol be next in line for such collective enthusiasm? I’m diving into what exactly makes this season of Dancing with the Stars distinct—and why the conversation surrounding it is unceasing.

      What has led to the heightened popularity of Dancing with the Stars?

      The TikTok influence on Dancing with the Stars

      If you’re a new fan of DWTS, it might seem like everyone has suddenly jumped on board this season, but the show’s revival actually started a few years back when Rylee Arnold—professional dancer and younger sister of former pro Lindsay Arnold—joined as the youngest pro. By sharing her journey on TikTok, she brought in a wave of younger fans eager to support her success. Her pairing with reality TV star Harry Jowsey and the ensuing showmance rumors only intensified the internet’s fascination. Additionally, her close friend Ezra Sosa, a member of the Dancing with the Stars troupe (a group of dancers who support the pros and perform smaller routines between main performances), also amassed a significant TikTok following, bringing in even more viewers.

      In the subsequent season, following the surge in audiences for Rylee and Ezra, the show promoted Ezra to pro and strategically targeted online viewers in a new way. Casting director Deena Katz seized the renewed TikTok attention by including internet personalities and well-known figures in the lineup (who could forget Anna Delvey’s brief but impactful appearance in the ballroom?). She even tapped into the powerful Swiftie community by adding Jan Ravnik, a favorite backup dancer of Taylor Swift, to this season’s pro roster.

      “The fan engagement, from voting to posting, has transformed DWTS from just a show you might have heard of into a viewing powerhouse that rivals the HBO Sunday night lineup.”

      Once a platform for D-list sitcom actors attempting to recapture their fame, this season’s cast features some of the internet’s most talked-about personalities: Alix Earle, Whitney Leavitt, Robert Irwin, Jordan Chiles, Jen Affleck. Even the older stars outside the influencer circle have had viral TikTok moments. Although Elaine Hendrix is primarily known as an actress, her portrayal of Meredith Blake became a significant trend on TikTok. This season, eliminated pros have also begun hosting TikTok livestreams while the show airs, allowing fans to engage without leaving the app. Instead of adhering to past patterns, the show embraced a new direction by casting individuals who resonate with audiences.

      Everyone is part of the conversation

      The show didn’t simply provide a star-studded cast and hope for the best. They embraced another critical element as important as the show itself: the online post-show discussions that unfold afterward. It’s not sufficient for audiences to merely like the contestants. The engagement—from voting to online discussions—has transformed DWTS from something you might have heard of into a viewing powerhouse comparable to an HBO Sunday night slot.

      Beyond the TikTok livestream, the show also introduced an official Dancing with the Stars podcast, hosted by last season’s winner and Bachelor star Joey Graziadei. Each week, he interviews celebrities and pros, giving fans more material for conversation. Previous pros have also jumped on the bandwagon, using their podcasts and social media to recap episodes, critique routines, argue or agree with judges' scores, and share their professional insights. Furthermore, every pro and celebrity has leaned into social media to interact with fans and rally for votes. With a plethora of vlog content released weekly, there’s something new to engage with every day between episodes. This, combined with fans continuously posting commentary, has fostered an incredibly engaged and passionate fan base that not only tunes in weekly but is truly dedicated to voting for their