While there have been whispers for a while about who will join the new season of “Dancing With the Stars,” we finally got confirmation on June 30. Nick Viall made the surprise announcement during Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Reunion Special.”
Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt will be joining the cast! “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” just finished filming Season 3 of their show. Viall, who competed on the show during Season 24 with pro dancer Peta Murgatroyd, also revealed that most of the cast had auditioned.
Leavitt and Affleck will appear on “Good Morning America” on July 1, where the official ABC announcement will be made.
They Join 2 Already Announced ‘DWTS’ Contestants: Robert Irwin and Alix Earle
Leavitt and Affleck join wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, who was the first celebrity contestant confirmed. Irwin’s sister, Bindi Irwin, competed during Season 21 and won the Mirrorball Trophy. Does the dancing gene run in their family?
“I remember watching [her] on that show just thinking, ‘This is the coolest thing ever,’” Robert told Us Weekly. If anything, we’re sure she can offer him some helpful pointers and tips.
Alix Earle, model and host of the popular “Hot Mess” podcast, was the next contestant revealed. Just as Affleck and Leavitt, it was announced when she was on “Good Morning America.” Earle may have a leg up on the competition, as she has dance experience.
“I danced when I was little until my sophomore year of high school,” she told Michael Strahan and Lara Spencer. “It wasn’t like I was that great or anything but… I would like to say I have some rhythm.”
Leavitt and Affleck Have Been ‘Secret Lives’ Favorites Since Season 1
Leavitt and Affleck have both been featured on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” since the show debuted in September 2024. It quickly became one of Hulu’s most-watched reality shows, reaching five million views within the first five days of the Season 2 premiere.
Leavitt appeared as the villain in Season 1 because she kept leaving the group’s #MomTok chat thread. In Season 2, she tried to reconcile with everyone and succeeded with almost everyone — except Mikayla Matthews. Leavitt and Matthews have been feuding since Season 1, and it doesn’t look like they’re making up soon.
Leavitt loves to dance, which bodes well for her on “Dancing With the Stars.” She frequently posts Instagram videos showing her and husband, Conner, getting down.
Affleck has had her share of difficulties in her personal life and marriage to her husband, Zac, which have been highlighted on “Secret Lives.” The two were estranged, but got back together when Affleck learned she was pregnant with their third child. She stepped away from the show to work on her mental health after struggling with prenatal depression.
On June 28, Affleck posted an Instagram video stating that she had begun having contractions during her nail appointment. On the evening of June 30, she posted a photo and video collage with the caption, “I have some exciting thing to share tomorrow…”
