Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
DWTS spin-off misses a step without studio audience.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Hosted by the champion of the the last season of Dancing with the Stars, Robert Irwin, DANCING WITH THE STARS: THE NEXT PRO follows 12 professional dancers competing for a coveted spot as a professional dancer on the upcoming season of the series. Guided by a different guest judge/mentor each week, and judged by famed ballroom dancers and mother-son duo Shirley and Mark Ballas, contestants train and live together. They perform a different dance each week, with one male and one female dancer eliminated until an ultimate champion is crowned.
Is It Any Good?
The cast in this show is strong, featuring experienced competitors from other shows like So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, and even relatives of current DWTS pros. However, unlike its parent series, elimination performances on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro take place without a live studio audience. While the judges have good chemistry, the missing audience energy makes the performances feel flatter and less polished than in the flagship series. Still, getting a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a pro dancer, and seeing contestants work with DWTS stars like Derek Hough to overcome challenges will draw in longtime fans of the franchise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the mention of the lack of diversity in ballroom dancing. Why is representation important in sports and entertainment? How can media inspire more people to pursue activities where they haven't traditionally seen themselves represented?
The dancers compete against one another while also living and training together. How do they balance competition with supporting each other?
In the first episode one of the contestants says she's scared before performing for the judges. How can fear sometimes help people grow? How do courage and perseverance help people succeed when learning difficult new skills?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 13, 2026
- Cast : Derek Hough
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Arts ( Dance )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : July 15, 2026
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