Two reality TV Faithfuls are heading to the ballroom, and the timing could not be more perfect for Ciara
If you needed any more evidence that the universe has a sense of humor about the “Summer House” Season 10 situation, here it is. Ciara Miller, who just watched her friendship with Amanda Batula implode on national television over West Wilson, has been announced as one of the first cast members of “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35.
She’s going to the ballroom, she has unfinished business, and she is very clearly not sitting at home sulking about any of it.
The Announcement
During Hulu’s Get Real House event on April 22, “DWTS” hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough officially announced that Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller are the first two celebrities competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in Season 35.
“Dancing With the Stars” will return in the fall on ABC and Disney+, streaming next day on Hulu.
The full cast and pro pairings will be announced at a later date.
What Ciara Miller Said
Ciara wasn’t at the event in person. She appeared via video message, explaining that she “had some unfinished business” in New York City that she “needed to wrap up.” Which, given everything that has been playing out on “Summer House” Season 10, is a statement that landed with some weight. She said she felt the timing was “the perfect moment” and that she was “opening a new chapter,” adding: “I can’t wait to put my energy on the dance floor. And Maura, I can’t wait to share the dance floor with my fellow Faithful.”
Originally from Atlanta, Ciara is a registered nurse who specialized as an ICU travel nurse during the pandemic and has been modeling since age 16. She has appeared on “Summer House” for five consecutive seasons and previously competed on “The Traitors” Season 3.
The “DWTS” casting feels like a very deliberate next chapter, and Disney boss Rob Mills apparently agreed, with Variety noting he specifically addressed casting Ciara after the “Summer House” scandal in comments at the event.
Who Is Maura Higgins?
If you watched “The Traitors” Season 4, you already know exactly who Maura Higgins is and exactly what happened to her.
Higgins first gained major attention in 2019 when she appeared on Season 5 of “Love Island UK” and was the first British cast member to cross over to the U.S. version of the series.
She went on to host “Love Island USA: Aftersun” and “Love Island Games: Aftersun” before landing on “The Traitors” Season 4 as a Faithful. She finished in second place after being blindsided by her best friend in the game, Rob Rausch, who revealed himself as the last remaining Traitor to win.
Maura said the casting had been on her vision board and that she was a “strong believer in manifesting.” She acknowledged it would be hard but said she was going to put everything into it. She previously appeared on Dancing on Ice in 2020 and did some Irish dancing as a child — and during “Traitors” filming, she and cast member Mark Ballas, a “DWTS” pro, would dance together in the castle. So she has at least one connection to the ballroom world already.
Why This Casting Makes Sense
Variety noted that the show is leaning into “the women who may have been wronged by men on reality TV” — which is a very specific framing that applies to both women here in very different ways. Maura was backstabbed by Rob. Ciara watched her best friend of years choose her ex. Both of them are walking into Season 35 with sympathetic backstories and built-in fan bases who are already invested in seeing them win.
Season 34 had its highest-performing finale in ten years, with record-breaking audience interaction credited in part to TikTok and social media momentum. Season 35 is starting with two women who have massive, engaged online followings and very fresh storylines. The producers know exactly what they are doing.
“Dancing With the Stars” Season 35 premieres this fall on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu. The rest of the cast will be announced at a later date.
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