“Dancing With The Stars” is back for its 34th season, which premiered its first episode on Tuesday. Fans have noticed this year’s lineup is packed with familiar faces–not just from Hollywood– but straight from their screens. This year’s cast features a variety of social media stars including Alix Earle, Hilaria Baldwin, Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck. Dedicated viewers have yet to wonder if these socialites can turn their likes into tens from the judges.
Alix Earle claimed fame as a popular “Get Ready With Me” TikToker while attending the University of Miami. Now, Earle stars in her podcast “Hot Mess” as she lands A-list brand deals that market towards Gen-Z. Earle is partnered with a fan favorite, Val Chmerkovskiy. Will her loyal TikTok stans vote her towards the Mirrorball Trophy? Time will tell.
Hilaria Baldwin, wife of critically acclaimed actor Alec Baldwin, is widely known as a wellness influencer, podcaster and yoga instructor. She often posts on TikTok, sharing fitness videos and glimpses into her “mom life” with her family and children. She’s been posting on TikTok extensively with her DWTS partner, Gleb Savchenko, sharing funny videos and updates of her new moves. Social media is now becoming a tool to boost ratings and her popularity on the show.
Another star-titled influencer, Whitney Leavitt, a cast member of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” then turned “Momfluencer,” joins this season. Leavitt posts on TikTok regularly sharing videos responding to her reality TV portrayal as well as light-hearted dance TikToks with her husband. Some could say these dance clips are what caught the producers’ attention. While viewers are getting ready for her ballroom appearance, Leavitt and her partner Mark Ballas tease their performances via TikTok.
Next is Jen Affleck, another “Momfluencer,” starring on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” Affleck is very popular on TikTok and Instagram, posting more conservative material and documenting her family’s religious lifestyle. She also posts the reality of her dancing journey on TikTok alongside her partner Jan Ravnik, the newest professional dancer to be featured this season.
How are the students at Fairfield feeling about this? Are they getting ready to tune in every Tuesday? Do they have predictions on who will take home the Mirrorball trophy? I asked around and found out some hot takes from some of our own.
Lia DePascale, junior Accounting major and lifelong fan of Dancing With the Stars has her bets placed on the winner this year. She says, “I’m voting for Alix. I’m obsessed with her “Hot Mess” podcast and I think she’s gonna win this year.”
Junior Olivia La Bruno shared, “I like Robert Irwin. He is all over my For You page and I love his posts with all the animals.”
These two followers have their eyes out for their favorite influencer. Is it really about who will be the better dancer, or who has the biggest fanbase?
Junior Heather Molloy offers a different perspective, focusing on the pros rather than the celebrities. She says, “Val’s Chmerkovskiy wife Jenna [Johnson] is my favorite. I want her to win this year.”
Some students are rooting for their favorite social media star to take home the trophy. Others, like Molloy, are longtime fans of the show, not tuning in for their favorite celebrity, but for their favorite professional dancer.
This season highlights the changing forces of television and the immersion of social media influencers on the big screen. The push and pull between the traditional fanbase and Gen Z viewers will rock the stage every Tuesday. Grab your friends and host watch parties—this season could change the way we see reality influencers forever.
