A new era of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ begins with Gen Z
By Sophia Herndon
October 27, 2025
Image credit: Shutterstock
Since its release in 2005, the reality TV series “Dancing with the Stars” has captivated viewers as their favorite celebrities pair up with professional dancers to compete for a mirrorball trophy.
While the series was popular from the start, season 34 set a new streaming record when it aired this September on Disney+ and Hulu, according to an ABC press release.
During the premiere, there was a 52% increase in viewership among ages 18 to 49, compared to last season. This indicates a strong relationship between increased streaming and younger viewers.
In recent seasons, the show has begun to incorporate celebrities into the cast who appeal to younger audiences.
During season 30, media personality JoJo Siwa competed on the series, making it to the season finale and in season 31, TikTok star Charli D’Amelio competed, winning the mirrorball trophy. Now, in season 34, social media personality Alix Earle is competing for the prize.
These influencers are followed by young adults and teenagers on media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Many of these watchers followed their favorite creators from social media onto the dance floor.
“They were really influential because they already had a certain audience,” said UMD senior computer science major Nikila Surapaneni. She found the show through social media in the last couple of years.
“I like looking at all their dances and seeing how much they’re improving,” she said. “It’s crazy to see how someone with no experience can do something like this.”
Skye Volpicella, a sophomore at UMD majoring in government and politics, started watching the show this September with her sorority and has been hooked ever since.
“Quite frankly, I didn't want to see it,” Volpicella said. “I sat down one day in the living room when it was on and was like, ‘this is kind of interesting.’”
Adele Gamage, a sophomore studying aerospace engineering at UMD, shared a similar view and explained that a large part of the fun is watching the show with a group of friends. Gamage said the show has gained more popularity through the incorporation of younger professional dancers.
“I think the younger pros like Rylee Arnold brought a lot of new viewers in the last couple of years,” Gamage said.
The professional dancers on the show have become more active on social media to gather votes from the audience to survive the competition. Social media, specifically TikTok, now plays a crucial role in the votes and the competitors know it.
In an academic article published by BST, a researcher discussed how social media, particularly TikTok, has created a community and promoted social connections with dance videos.
Dance content is becoming more and more consumed by younger audiences. Gen Z’s response to dance content from the show was almost identical to their responses to dance videos from influencers.
As the show gains more popularity with Gen Z, viewership and marketing for the show have changed immensely. Because of Gen Z, TikTok and other social media platforms are now used as a marketing tool for the show.
“Everybody gets into it,” Gamage said.
As “Dancing with the Stars” grows across social media, viewers can’t help but turn the show on and cheer for their favorite competitor on the dance floor.
Sources:
“ABC Press.” ABC Press, 23 September 2025, https://www.detpress.com/abc/pressrelease/dancing-with-the-stars-season-premiere-grows-dramatically-over-three-days-jumping-to-8-million-total-viewers-and-a-1-79-rating-among-adults-18-49/. Accessed 15 October 2025.
Griffiths, Laura Elizabeth. “Dancing through Social Distance: Connectivity and Creativity in the Online Space.” Body, Space & Technology, 14 February 2023, https://www.bstjournal.com/article/id/9700/. Accessed 20 October 2025.
Nikila and Adele Interview:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hx_ost0viz72_tQbVjSGgYfiq74NemJW/view?usp=sharing
Skye Interview:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17sRMgkkKxgvYl_T302Yjpgwzd696DPhY/view?usp=sharing
While the series was popular from the start, season 34 set a new streaming record when it aired this September on Disney+ and Hulu, according to an ABC press release.
During the premiere, there was a 52% increase in viewership among ages 18 to 49, compared to last season. This indicates a strong relationship between increased streaming and younger viewers.
In recent seasons, the show has begun to incorporate celebrities into the cast who appeal to younger audiences.
During season 30, media personality JoJo Siwa competed on the series, making it to the season finale and in season 31, TikTok star Charli D’Amelio competed, winning the mirrorball trophy. Now, in season 34, social media personality Alix Earle is competing for the prize.
These influencers are followed by young adults and teenagers on media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Many of these watchers followed their favorite creators from social media onto the dance floor.
“They were really influential because they already had a certain audience,” said UMD senior computer science major Nikila Surapaneni. She found the show through social media in the last couple of years.
“I like looking at all their dances and seeing how much they’re improving,” she said. “It’s crazy to see how someone with no experience can do something like this.”
Skye Volpicella, a sophomore at UMD majoring in government and politics, started watching the show this September with her sorority and has been hooked ever since.
“Quite frankly, I didn't want to see it,” Volpicella said. “I sat down one day in the living room when it was on and was like, ‘this is kind of interesting.’”
Adele Gamage, a sophomore studying aerospace engineering at UMD, shared a similar view and explained that a large part of the fun is watching the show with a group of friends. Gamage said the show has gained more popularity through the incorporation of younger professional dancers.
“I think the younger pros like Rylee Arnold brought a lot of new viewers in the last couple of years,” Gamage said.
The professional dancers on the show have become more active on social media to gather votes from the audience to survive the competition. Social media, specifically TikTok, now plays a crucial role in the votes and the competitors know it.
In an academic article published by BST, a researcher discussed how social media, particularly TikTok, has created a community and promoted social connections with dance videos.
Dance content is becoming more and more consumed by younger audiences. Gen Z’s response to dance content from the show was almost identical to their responses to dance videos from influencers.
As the show gains more popularity with Gen Z, viewership and marketing for the show have changed immensely. Because of Gen Z, TikTok and other social media platforms are now used as a marketing tool for the show.
“Everybody gets into it,” Gamage said.
As “Dancing with the Stars” grows across social media, viewers can’t help but turn the show on and cheer for their favorite competitor on the dance floor.
Sources:
“ABC Press.” ABC Press, 23 September 2025, https://www.detpress.com/abc/pressrelease/dancing-with-the-stars-season-premiere-grows-dramatically-over-three-days-jumping-to-8-million-total-viewers-and-a-1-79-rating-among-adults-18-49/. Accessed 15 October 2025.
Griffiths, Laura Elizabeth. “Dancing through Social Distance: Connectivity and Creativity in the Online Space.” Body, Space & Technology, 14 February 2023, https://www.bstjournal.com/article/id/9700/. Accessed 20 October 2025.
Nikila and Adele Interview:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hx_ost0viz72_tQbVjSGgYfiq74NemJW/view?usp=sharing
Skye Interview:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17sRMgkkKxgvYl_T302Yjpgwzd696DPhY/view?usp=sharing