Dancing With the Stars is back in the Emmys race, and the people behind the series are celebrating the show being recognized in the reality competition series program for the first time in a decade.
The ABC reality show broke back into the category with the reveal of the 2026 Emmy nominations. Dancing With the Stars has not been nominated for best reality competition series since 2016, but has picked up multiple craft nods over the years.
“It’s a huge honor for the show to be nominated again in the reality competition category,” showrunner Conrad Green said in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “We have a very dedicated team who work extremely hard to make the best possible show, so we’re all delighted that the Television Academy has recognized this labor of love — particularly after 20 years on air! Special thanks go to our wonderful hosts and judges, our amazing dancers, the celebrities who put themselves on the line each season, and the many fans have supported us along the way.”
“To be recognized in our 34th season is an extraordinary honor and means the world to our entire Dancing With the Stars family,” added executive producer-casting head Deena Katz. “We are deeply grateful to the Television Academy for this recognition and to our amazing cast, crew, creative team, and loyal fans whose passion and support have made this journey possible.”
Dancing With the Stars and ABC celebrated the nod with a joint Instagram post, where several professional dancers shared their excitement in the comments. “This is massive,” Alan Bersten wrote in the comments, before taking to his Instagram Story to share another statement: “I don’t think you understand how special this is!!! This show is finally getting the recognition it deserves!!”
Season 34 Mirrorball champion Witney Carson also took to her Instagram Story to share a commemorative message. “I have been so excited all morning, so proud! Dancing With the Stars got an Emmy nomination. I really can’t think of a show that deserves it more, honestly, and I know I’m biased because I’m apart of it, but truly I feel like we’re one of the only reality series’ that promotes unity, camaraderie, positivity. We bring joy, we bring families together not apart, it’s such an amazing show to be apart of,” Carson wrote.
Britt Stewart reposted the nomination announcement too, writing on her Instagram Story, “Absolutely amazing!! I’m so proud of my Dancing With the Stars family for this incredible recognition!! FINALLY! After 10 years I still can’t believe I’m part of such an amazing show.”
“Huge congratulations to my Dancing With the Stars family on an absolutely incredible Emmy nomination. Guys, this is so well deserved, and honestly, it’s about time,” judge Derek Hough said in an Instagram video. “Being part of a show like this for 20 years that’s pure joy, pure entertainment, I couldn’t be more proud.”
Julianne Hough, former judge and current host, also celebrated the nod. She wrote on her Instagram Story, “Truly an honor to see our show nominated for an Emmy! I am beyond thrilled that our family and team of individuals are receiving this recognition for all the hard work, creativity and passion they offer year after year! Dream team.”
Tom Bergeron, the show’s former longtime host who made his return to the ballroom as a guest judge in season 34, also celebrated the nomination. He wrote under ABC’s Instagram post, “Bravo!!”
Elsewhere with the 2026 Emmys, Dancing With the Stars picked up a total of five nominations, including best reality competition series; makeup for a variety, nonfiction or reality program; hairstyling for a variety, nonfiction or reality program; technical direction/camerawork for a series; and lighting design/lighting direction for a series.
ABC is gearing up for the release of The Next Pro, the first official extension of the franchise. The spinoff will crown one upcoming dancer the next pro to join the cast of Dancing With the Stars season 35.
The series will compete against RuPaul’s Drag Race, Survivor, Top Chef and The Traitors for the Emmy this fall.
See the full list of 2026 Emmy nominations here. The 78th Emmy Awards will be broadcast live Monday, Sept. 14, on NBC and stream live on Peacock, where Mariska Hargitay will serve as host.
