As the entertainment industry prepares for the milestone return of one of television’s most enduring reality competition franchises, professional dancer Emma Slater is leaving nothing to chance. With the official premiere of Dancing with the Stars Season 35 slated for Tuesday on ABC, the stakes have never been higher for the competing couples. To secure an early advantage and build crucial momentum, Slater has taken her pre-season promotional campaign far beyond the traditional press circuit, embedding herself directly into the world of her celebrity partner, Savannah Bananas infielder Jackson Olson.
The strategic partnership took center stage at Grayson Stadium in Georgia, where Slater joined the viral exhibition baseball team for a high-energy live performance. Entertaining a roaring crowd, Slater and Olson executed a choreographed routine to the soaring anthem Rewrite the Stars from the acclaimed soundtrack of The Greatest Showman. The unconventional crossover event not only delighted baseball and dance fans alike but also highlighted the aggressive promotional tactics being deployed across the board as contestants brace themselves for a uniquely treacherous start to the competition.
The Urgency of a Double Elimination
The urgency behind Slater and Olson’s proactive campaigning is rooted in a major structural shakeup announced for the upcoming installment. According to revelations made by Amanda Hirsch, host of Hulu’s Get Real podcast, during the September 10 episode, Season 35 will introduce a brutal twist during its opening week: a high-stakes double elimination. Following the two-night premiere event scheduled for September 15 and 16, one male celebrity and one female celebrity will be immediately sent home, abruptly cutting the roster down before the competition can truly find its footing.
This dramatic format adjustment marks a significant departure from recent years. During her podcast appearance, Hirsch underscored the rarity of the decision, noting that it has been nearly a decade since producers implemented such an aggressive opening cut.
This is the first time since 2018 that one male celebrity and one female celebrity will be sent home after the two-night premiere, Hirsch told her listeners, emphasizing the razor-thin margin for error facing this year’s celebrity lineup. That hasn’t happened in many years, and it completely changes the psychological approach for every single couple walking onto the ballroom floor for the very first time.
The Digital Advantage: Jackson Olson’s Content Empire
While many celebrity contestants traditionally rely on standard television appearances and carefully curated public relations teams to build their initial fanbases, the modern era of reality television demands a robust digital footprint. For Jackson Olson, navigating the digital landscape is second nature. Beyond his professional athletic duties as a second baseman for the wildly popular and theatrical Savannah Bananas, Olson is an established and prolific digital content creator.
Known widely for his macro baseball insights, engaging athletic commentary, and relatable storytelling covering topics ranging from family dynamics and personal relationships to culinary adventures, Olson brings a massive, pre-existing audience to the ballroom. In a competition heavily influenced by viewer voting alongside judges’ scores, Olson’s digital fluency provides an invaluable asset. Paired with Slater—a veteran professional whose tenure on the program has earned her immense respect and a dedicated following—the duo represents a formidable blend of athletic showmanship and social media reach.
A Star-Studded Lineup for Season 35
The pressure felt by Slater and Olson is shared across the entire cast of Season 35, which boasts one of the most diverse and high-profile rosters assembled in the history of the franchise. The glittering ensemble features notable names spanning television, film, comedy, sports, and internet culture, all vying for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
Among the prominent competitors stepping into the ballroom this season is beloved television icon Tatyana Ali, best known for her unforgettable work on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Reality television enthusiasts will also have plenty to root for, with Bachelor franchise alum Tyler Cameron entering the fray alongside Maura Higgins, breakout star of Peacock’s strategic competition series The Traitors, and Ciara Miller from Bravo’s hit reality show Summer House.
The music industry is heavily represented by Taylor Hanson, celebrated member of the iconic pop-rock boy band Hanson. Meanwhile, the acting contingent features acclaimed silver screen and television talents, including Julia Stiles, celebrated for her work in the Bourne film franchise and 10 Things I Hate About You; multi-award-winning actress Jenna Dewan; and Harry Shum Jr., renowned for his standout performances in Grayson’s Anatomy and Glee.
Culinary excellence meets physical endurance with the inclusion of celebrity chef and cooking star Giada De Laurentiis, while the sports division welcomes a diverse group of elite athletes, including Paralympian Ezra Frech and competitive figure skater Amber Glenn. Comedy and internet culture are equally well-represented by comedian and podcaster Connor Wood; Connor Leavitt, husband of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt; actress and media personality Sarah Jane Nader; late-night television fixture Guillermo Rodriguez from Jimmy Kimmel Live; and Jackson Olson himself.
Background Context and Evolution of the Format
To understand the weight of the upcoming Season 35 premiere, one must examine the historical evolution of Dancing with the Stars. Since its debut in June 2005, the reality competition format has continuously evolved to maintain audience engagement, adapt to shifting television landscapes, and maximize viewer retention.
In its earliest iterations, double eliminations were occasionally utilized later in the competition when the pool of contestants narrowed, or as a consequence of unexpected withdrawals due to injury. However, executing an immediate double elimination during the very first week of competition is a rarity designed to instantly raise the stakes. By forcing two departures right out of the gate, producers are signaling to both the contestants and the viewing public that complacency will not be tolerated. Every routine, regardless of technical proficiency, must captivate the audience enough to secure immediate votes before the phone lines close.
For veterans like Emma Slater, who has seen numerous format tweaks, judges’ table adjustments, and network shifts throughout her tenure on the program, this proactive mindset is essential for survival. Slater’s decision to integrate her rehearsal process with Olson’s high-energy athletic performances demonstrates a modern understanding of multimedia campaigning. By leveraging the immense live-audience appeal of the Savannah Bananas—a team famous for revolutionizing traditional baseball through dance, fan interaction, and viral entertainment—Slater ensured that Olson was accustomed to performing under intense, unconventional pressure long before stepping onto the polished ABC ballroom floor.
Implications and Analytical Outlook
The introduction of an immediate double elimination in Week 1 carries significant strategic implications for the remainder of Season 35.
From an analytical perspective, early-round dancing is notoriously difficult to judge objectively. Celebrities arrive with varying levels of natural rhythm, physical conditioning, and performance experience. Some contestants, such as professional athletes and dancers, naturally possess spatial awareness and coordination that gives them an initial advantage. Others, unaccustomed to the rigorous physical demands of ballroom technique, require time to adjust.
By instituting a double elimination immediately following the two-night premiere, producers are effectively neutralizing the traditional learning curve. Couples cannot afford a "safe" or tentative first dance; they must deploy high-impact choreography, compelling storytelling, and maximum entertainment value immediately. This dynamic disproportionately rewards contestants with established fanbases—such as digital creators, long-standing television stars, and athletes accustomed to public performance—while placing immense pressure on lesser-known figures to capture the public imagination overnight.
Furthermore, the psychological toll on the cast cannot be overstated. Walking into a live television studio knowing that two participants will be sent home before the first full week of regular competition concludes creates an atmosphere of high anxiety. It alters partnership dynamics, forcing professional choreographers to balance technical rigor with crowd-pleasing entertainment value to guarantee audience retention.
As the countdown to Tuesday night continues, all eyes will be fixed on the ballroom floor. Whether Emma Slater and Jackson Olson’s unorthodox pre-season preparations on the baseball diamond will translate into high scores and safety from the first elimination block remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars is launching with an unprecedented level of intensity, promising an unpredictable and fiercely contested journey toward the ultimate prize.
