JoJo Siwa, Suni Lee to Compete on 'Dancing With the Stars' 30th Season

The upcoming season will feature the show's first same-sex dance pairing.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:07pm

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A dynamic, abstract illustration using bold black shapes and bright colors to capture the energy and excitement of a dance competition show without any literal depictions.The upcoming 30th season of 'Dancing With the Stars' will feature groundbreaking representation with the show's first same-sex dance pairing.Salt Lake City Today

Pop star JoJo Siwa and Olympic gymnast Suni Lee are set to compete on the 30th season of 'Dancing With the Stars', which will include the show's first same-sex dance pairing. The full cast for the upcoming season has not yet been announced.

Why it matters

The inclusion of JoJo Siwa in a same-sex pairing marks a historic milestone for 'Dancing With the Stars', which has traditionally featured celebrity contestants paired with professional dancers of the opposite sex. This move reflects broader societal shifts towards greater LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media and entertainment.

The details

JoJo Siwa, the 18-year-old pop star known for her colorful, high-energy persona, will be part of the show's first same-sex dance pairing. Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee, who won the all-around title at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is also joining the 'Dancing With the Stars' cast for the upcoming 30th season.

  • The 30th season of 'Dancing With the Stars' is set to premiere in Fall 2026.
  • JoJo Siwa and Suni Lee's participation was announced on April 17, 2026.

The players

JoJo Siwa

An 18-year-old pop star who will be part of the first same-sex dance pairing on 'Dancing With the Stars'.

Suni Lee

An Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics who is joining the cast of 'Dancing With the Stars' for the upcoming 30th season.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so excited to be a part of 'Dancing With the Stars' history with a same-sex couple. I think it's so important for representation and I can't wait to inspire others.”

— JoJo Siwa

“I'm honored to be joining the cast of 'Dancing With the Stars' and I can't wait to challenge myself in a new way. Bringing my gymnastics skills to the dance floor is going to be an exciting journey.”

— Suni Lee

What’s next

The full cast for the 30th season of 'Dancing With the Stars' will be announced in the coming weeks ahead of the Fall 2026 premiere.

The takeaway

The inclusion of JoJo Siwa in a same-sex pairing on 'Dancing With the Stars' represents an important milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media, while Suni Lee's participation brings an Olympic champion's athletic skills to the dance floor.