The Dancing With the Stars universe is expanding with an exciting new competition, and this time, the spotlight isn’t on celebrities.
Instead, Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro introduces 12 talented dancers from around the world, all competing for one life-changing prize: the chance to become an official professional dancer on a future season of Dancing With the Stars.
The inaugural cast blends ballroom champions, television personalities, commercial dancers, and rising stars, creating one of the franchise’s most diverse lineups yet. Some contestants already have experience on popular dance competition shows, while others have built impressive careers on the international ballroom circuit.
TL;DR: The Next DWTS Pro Cast at a Glance
| Contestant | Known For | Dance Background |
|---|---|---|
| Stephani Sosa | Sister of DWTS pro Ezra Sosa | Ballroom and Latin dance |
| Jake Monreal | Dancing With the Stars: Juniors | Ballroom competitor |
| Benji Castro | So You Think You Can Dance | Ballroom, contemporary, commercial dance |
| AJ Pritchard | Former Strictly Come Dancing pro | Ballroom and Latin |
| Allen Genkin | Competitive ballroom dancer | Ballroom and Latin |
| Selena Hamilton | Professional commercial dancer | Commercial and ballroom dance |
| Briar Nolet | The Next Step | Contemporary and competitive dance |
| Nina Mayster | Competitive ballroom dancer | Ballroom and Latin |
| Natalie Jolley | Professional ballroom dancer | Ballroom and Latin |
| Tristen Sanders | Competitive dancer | Ballroom and stage performance |
| Erik Linder | Professional ballroom competitor | Ballroom and Latin |
| Adele Zaikman | Competitive ballroom dancer | Ballroom and Latin |
Each contestant brings a unique background and dance style to the competition. Here’s everything we know about the 12 dancers hoping to become the next DWTS pro.
1. Stephani Sosa
Stephani Sosa enters the competition with ballroom dancing already in her blood. She is the younger sister of current Dancing With the Stars professional Ezra Sosa, but she’s determined to establish her own identity rather than simply follow in her brother’s footsteps.
Having trained extensively in Latin and ballroom styles, Stephani has spent years competing at a high level. Her familiarity with the DWTS world gives her valuable insight into what judges and audiences expect from a professional dancer.
Despite her family connection, the competition offers Stephani the opportunity to prove she belongs on the ballroom floor based on her own talent.
2. Jake Monreal
Fans of the franchise may recognize Jake Monreal from Dancing With the Stars: Juniors, where he impressed viewers with his technique and stage presence.
Since appearing on the junior version of the show, Jake has continued training and refining his ballroom skills. His return to the franchise represents a full-circle moment, giving him another opportunity to achieve his dream of joining the professional cast.
His experience performing under television cameras could give him an advantage as the competition progresses.
3. Benji Castro
Benji Castro already has national television experience thanks to his appearance on So You Think You Can Dance.
Known for blending ballroom fundamentals with contemporary movement and athletic choreography, Benji has become a versatile performer capable of adapting to different dance styles.
His previous competition experience means he understands the pressure of weekly eliminations and performing in front of judges, making him one of the contestants to watch.
4. AJ Pritchard
British dance fans will immediately recognize AJ Pritchard.
The former Strictly Come Dancing professional spent several seasons partnering celebrities on one of the UK’s biggest entertainment shows before joining The Next Pro.
Unlike many contestants, AJ already understands what life as a television dance professional requires. His extensive ballroom knowledge, live television experience, and teaching background make him one of the most accomplished competitors in the cast.
5. Allen Genkin
Allen Genkin has established himself within competitive ballroom dancing and previously gained recognition after winning the franchise’s Ballroom Battle Challenge.
His technical precision and strong competitive résumé have earned him respect throughout the dance community.
With years of ballroom experience behind him, Allen enters the competition hoping to translate his competitive success into a long-term career on Dancing With the Stars.
6. Selena Hamilton
Selena Hamilton brings a different perspective to the ballroom.
While she has experience in competitive dance, Selena has also performed professionally alongside major recording artists, including Doechii.
Her commercial dance background could help her create memorable performances that combine technical excellence with stage charisma, an important quality for any future DWTS professional.
7. Erik Linder
Erik Linder joins the inaugural season of Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro as one of the accomplished ballroom competitors hoping to earn a place in the DWTS professional lineup.
With a background in competitive ballroom dance, Erik has spent years refining his technique across Latin and standard styles. His experience on the competitive circuit has helped him develop the precision, discipline, and performance quality needed to succeed in high-pressure dance environments.
Now, The Next Pro gives Erik his biggest opportunity yet to showcase his talent on a national stage. Throughout the competition, he’ll be looking to prove he has the technical ability, stage presence, and versatility required to become a future Dancing With the Stars professional.
8. Briar Nolet
Many viewers already know Briar Nolet from the Canadian dance drama The Next Step.
Since her acting career, Briar has continued pursuing professional dance while competing on television and performing internationally.
Her combination of performance experience and storytelling ability could become one of her biggest strengths throughout the competition.
9. Nina Mayster
Nina Mayster is another accomplished ballroom competitor joining the inaugural cast.
With years of dance training and competition experience, Nina has developed strong technical skills across multiple ballroom disciplines.
As one of the newcomers to television audiences, she hopes her performances will speak louder than her résumé.
10. Natalie Jolley
Natalie Jolley has spent years developing her ballroom and Latin dance abilities through competitive events and professional performances.
Her passion for precision, musicality, and partner work has helped establish her as an emerging talent within the ballroom community.
Competing on The Next Pro represents her biggest television opportunity to date.
11. Tristen Sanders
Tristen Sanders rounds out the cast with experience across multiple dance styles and competitive performances.
Known for his athleticism and energetic stage presence, Tristen hopes to stand out by combining technical ballroom fundamentals with exciting choreography.
As the competition unfolds, he will be looking to prove he has everything required to join the DWTS professional lineup.
12. Adele Zaikman
Adele Zaikman is known for her competitive ballroom background, Adele has dedicated years to training and competing in Latin and ballroom dance. Her strong technical foundation and commitment to her craft make her one of the contestants aiming to impress both the judges and viewers throughout the competition.
Appearing on The Next Pro offers Adele the chance to introduce herself to a wider television audience while pursuing the ultimate prize—a coveted opportunity to join Dancing With the Stars as a future professional dancer.
Final Thoughts
Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro brings together an impressive mix of ballroom champions, television veterans, and rising dance talent, all competing for the chance to earn a coveted spot as a future Dancing With the Stars professional. From familiar faces like AJ Pritchard, Briar Nolet, and Jake Monreal to accomplished competitors such as Stephani Sosa, Allen Genkin, Erik Linder, and Adele Zaikman, the inaugural cast represents a wide range of backgrounds and dance styles.
Unlike the flagship series, this competition isn’t about celebrities chasing the Mirrorball Trophy. Instead, it’s a career-defining audition where every routine could determine who joins the DWTS ballroom as the franchise’s next professional dancer. With experienced performers from around the world sharing the stage, viewers can expect fierce competition, memorable performances, and the opportunity to discover the next generation of Dancing With the Stars talent before they make their mark on the main series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is competing on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?
The inaugural season features 12 aspiring professional dancers: Stephani Sosa, Jake Monreal, Benji Castro, AJ Pritchard, Allen Genkin, Selena Hamilton, Briar Nolet, Nina Mayster, Natalie Jolley, Tristen Sanders, Erik Linder, and Adele Zaikman. Each contestant is competing for the opportunity to become a future professional dancer on Dancing With the Stars.
What is Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?
Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro is a new reality competition series that follows aspiring professional dancers as they compete for a chance to join the official Dancing With the Stars pro lineup. Unlike the flagship series, the contestants are dancers rather than celebrities.
What does the winner of The Next Pro receive?
The winner earns a coveted opportunity to become a professional dancer on a future season of Dancing With the Stars, making the series a career-launching competition for ballroom talent.
Which contestants have appeared on television before?
Several competitors already have television experience, including AJ Pritchard (Strictly Come Dancing), Jake Monreal (Dancing With the Stars: Juniors), Benji Castro (So You Think You Can Dance), and Briar Nolet (The Next Step). Their experience performing in front of cameras could prove valuable throughout the competition.
Is Stephani Sosa related to Ezra Sosa?
Yes. Stephani Sosa is the younger sister of current Dancing With the Stars professional Ezra Sosa. She enters The Next Pro hoping to earn her own place in the franchise through the competition.
How is The Next Pro different from Dancing With the Stars?
While Dancing With the Stars pairs celebrities with established professional dancers, The Next Pro focuses exclusively on talented dancers competing to become the next official DWTS professional. Instead of a Mirrorball Trophy, contestants are competing for a place in the franchise’s professional cast.
Who are some of the contestants to watch?
The cast includes experienced ballroom competitors and television personalities such as AJ Pritchard, Briar Nolet, Jake Monreal, Stephani Sosa, Allen Genkin, Erik Linder, and Adele Zaikman. With contestants from diverse dance backgrounds, the competition is expected to be highly competitive from the very first episode.