The ballroom speculation around Dancing With the Stars Season 35 has intensified after a series of social posts from Jackson Olson, the charismatic entertainer from the Savannah Bananas. Viewers already knew that cast confirmation included Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller, and many now suspect Olson could be the next name attached to the show. The conversation has centered on carefully worded Instagram captions, a playful comment from judge Derek Hough, and a growing chorus of fan reactions that treat each like a piece of a larger puzzle.
Olson’s own posts are the primary fuel for this fire. On April 10 he wrote about feeling unusually happy and hinted that his life would change in the coming year, promising to stop being mysterious. A follow-up Reel on May 7 featured Olson dancing with on-screen text asking when he’ll reveal his secret, captioned simply, “Soon…👀,” plus tags including #secret, #baseball, #NYC, and #reveal. Derek Hough reacted in the comments with an emphatic emoji, which fans interpreted as more than casual engagement and a potential sign of an upcoming casting announcement.
How social clues turned into casting theories
Online sleuths stitched together several moments to build a narrative: Derek’s comment, the timing of Olson’s captions, and the content of his videos. Fans pointed to an earlier guest appearance where Derek tossed Olson a mini disco ball, and many noted Olson’s December 2026 TikTok where he toyed with the idea of competing on the show. In that clip he first answered “No I wouldn’t, it’s just not my style,” then cut to dance clips and ended with an admission that, long story short, he would indeed be interested. Together, these elements form a string of social media clues that supporters say suggest a serious possibility of a DWTS spot.
Other names linked to the ballroom
Beyond Olson, a wide range of celebrities have either expressed interest in joining Dancing With the Stars or been mentioned as potential contestants for Season 35. Performers like Jenna Dewan have openly said they’d find it hard to refuse the opportunity, while Olympic skaters Madison Chock and Evan Bates joked about trading skates for ballroom shoes. Athletes such as Rob Gronkowski and skater Amber Glenn have signaled curiosity, and reality and acting figures including Brittany Cartwright, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Bart Johnson have also come up in casting conversations. The list extends to reality stars like Gia Giudice, dance alumni like Nia Sioux, and Love Island names including Nic Vansteenberghe.
What interest reveals about casting strategy
The variety of names suggests producers continue to favor a blend of athletes, reality personalities, and actors to keep ratings high and social engagement buzzing. Casting someone like Jackson Olson would tap a loyal fanbase from the Savannah Bananas and leverage social-first audiences, while recruiting Olympians or known dancers brings technical credibility. This dual approach — balancing audience reach with performance pedigree — has been a hallmark of DWTS casting, and the current speculation fits that pattern.
Who has declined and what that tells us
Not everyone is eager to join the ballroom. Some public figures have turned the offer down or said the format isn’t for them. For example, Terri Irwin has reportedly refused, and Kevin Jonas has said he’s declined multiple times. Olympian Alysa Liu expressed reservations, and a roster of other famous names — including Lauren Conrad, Lindsay Lohan, Demi Moore, Gabby Douglas, Gayle King, John Stamos, and Rosie O’Donnell — have been linked to previous turn-downs. Even those who flirt with the idea, like Flavor Flav, have expressed ambivalence, which highlights that a cameo or judge spot doesn’t always translate into a full-season commitment.
Looking ahead: what to watch
For now, fans should watch official channels for the network’s announcement and keep an eye on the social activity of rumored contestants. The mix of confirmed names like Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller with possible additions such as Jackson Olson creates a narrative that will likely continue until an official cast reveal. Whether Derek Hough’s emoji was wink or confirmation, the pattern of posts, comments, and fan reaction shows how modern casting unfolds in public. Stay tuned for the formal lineup — in the meantime, social feeds are doing the detective work.
