Now that Dancing with the Stars will be streaming on Disney+ without commercial interruption, there is plenty of time for extras! The troupe is back, and will consist of four familiar faces: Alexis Warr, Ezra Sosa, Kateryna Klishyna, and Sasha Farber.
The DWTS troupe performs in opening numbers, as backup with competitive dance pairs and will step in if one of the dancers drops out. The good news, after being absent to make way for host Tyra Banks grand fashion entrenches, the opening group number has returned.
So You Think You Can Dance winner, Alexis Warr joins the Troupe
Unsurprisingly, the newly-minted winner of So You Think You Can Dance, Alexis Warr will be doing her thing on Dancing with the Stars this season. I expected DWTS to maybe even partner her with a celebrity this season. She is no stranger to the show, having danced on the DWTS nationwide tour.
SYTYCD alum Ezra Sosa returns, along with dance coach Kateryna Klishyna
Next, Ezra Sosa, who was part of last years troup will be returning in that capacity. The Utah native and a US National Latin Ballroom Champion. He’s best known for competing in season 16 of So You Think You Can Dance, where he made the top 6. The 20-year-old has also appeared in numerous national tours, movies, commercials and TV shows, including America’s Got Talent and World of Dance. And he appeared in a few music videos from American Idol alum, David Archuleta.
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Also joining the troup is Kateryna Klishyna, who has a ton of dance instruction videos up on Youtube. The dancer/coach has worked with pro siblings Val Chmerkovskiy and Maks Chmerkovskiy.
Sasha Farber joins the troupe amid marriage breakup from Emma Slater
The last troupe member may upset some fans. It’s DWTS fan favorite Sasha Farber! He previously competed on the show with many celebrities, most notably Olympic athletes Tonya Harding, Simone Biles, Mary Lou Retton and Suni Lee. Sasha’s finished 3rd with Tonya and former Fifth Harmony member and X Factor USA alum Ally Brooke. He placed in at least the Top 5 with six of his former partners after competing nine times on the show.
The reason why Sasha isn’t dancing with a celebrity partner this year could be as simple as the cast lacking a suitable partner for him. But expect the conspiracy mill to rev up! News recently broke that he and his wife, pro dancer Emma Slater, are getting a divorce. It’s been confirmed that she is competing on the show with a celebrity. It could be a little awkward and distracting to have them both competing? Actually, the producers would probably like having that kind of tension on the dance floor. It’s possible Sasha decided to step back. I mean, Louis Van Amstel is returning to DWTS after a 7 year absence. Sasha and Louis’ physical profiles are similar.
The two married four years ago. Sasha popped the question on the DWTS stage in 2016.
Returning pros include: Britt Stewart, Cheryl Burke, Peta Murgatroyd, Sharna Burgess, Emma Slater, Koko Iwasaki, Daniella Karagach, Witney Carson. Val Chmerkovskiy, Alan Bersten, Artem Chigvintsev, Gleb Savchenko, Louis Van Amstel, Brandon Armstrong, Pasha Pashkov.
Dancing with the Stars 2022 returns Monday September 19 on Disney+ only
Disney renewed Dancing with the Stars for two seasons with the caveat that both 31 and 32 will be streaming only on Disney+. It will continue to air live, and allow viewers to vote for the winner. Additionally, the show will air with no commercial interruptions, which could mean longer running times for each episode.
Tyra Banks will return to Dancing with the Stars as host and an executive producer of the show. However, she will be sharing hosting duties with former DWTS winner and America’s Funniest Home Videos host, Alfonso Ribeiro. Conrad Green, who executive produced DWTS in its early years will replace departing EP Andrew Llinares.
Judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough will resume their seats on the judges panel.
Dancing with the Stars season 31 will premiere on Monday September 19 at 8 ET/5 PT pm, only streaming on the Disney+ platform.
