‘Dancing With the Stars’ Announce the First Two New Contestants for Season 30

It’s almost that wonderful time of the year when fans are welcomed back into the ballroom and surrounded by sequins, spray tans, and samba rolls. Dancing With the Stars’ pre-season is here, and Twitter burst into flames with excitement after finding out that Suni Lee and Jojo Siwa would be competing for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

Just revealed at #TCA21: The first two stars joining the 30th season of @DancingABC are gold medal Olympian @sunisalee_ & pop star @itsjojosiwa. The season premiere airs live at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 20 on @ABCNetwork #DWTS #ABC pic.twitter.com/0FO69O1AR6

— The TCA (@OfficialTCA) August 26, 2021

The all-around champion took to Twitter to announce the exciting news.

SUPRISE 🙈🙈🙈 https://t.co/cnIks7LwlJ

— Sunisa lee (@sunisalee_) August 26, 2021

It’s no secret that DWTS likes to take advantage of Olympic years to fill their star-studded lineup; however, Suni was the contestant that fans expected the least. Suni just moved into her dorm at Auburn University, started practice with the school’s gymnastics team, and confirmed that she would join her Olympic teammates at select dates on the Gold Over America Tour and is now tackling the ballroom.

Suni will now join the list of gymnasts that have graced the dancefloor, including Simone Biles, Laurie Hernandez, Shawn Johnson, Aly Raisman, Nastia Lukin, and Mary Lou Retton.

Pop culture phenom Jojo Siwa is truly the contestant that no one saw coming. The Dance Moms alum will make history as the first contestant to dance in a same-sex partnership, thus meaning Siwa will be Foxtrotting with one of the female pros.

IM SO EXCITED https://t.co/EN1ygC5Jj3

— JoJo Siwa!🌈❤️🎀 (@itsjojosiwa) August 26, 2021

Honestly did not have Jojo Siwa as a possible contestant on my dwts cards but I’m here for this

— nic ミ☆ (@dwtsbach) August 26, 2021

The decision to include a same-sex pairing on the roster is long overdue as the U.K adaptation, Strictly Come Dancing, had their first same-sex couple in 2019.

Shortly after the announcement, fans already started creating their dream pairings for Suni and Jojo as the pairings are not announced until the premiere in September. Many fans hope that Suni is partnered with season 28 champion Alan Bersten as he is most known for his outgoing personality.

suni lee & alan or bust.

— lauren ♡ // britt stewart is a pro (@berstenbenae) August 27, 2021

On the other hand, fans want to see Jojo paired with season 24 champion Emma Slater or season 29 newcomer Britt Stewart who also made history as the show’s first Black female pro.

I hope Emma or Britt is her partner! I think both of them would choreograph Jojo well

— sarah harris 💙 (@SarahHarris249) August 26, 2021

Along with the exciting news, DWTS released a teaser for this season that looks back at the past 29 seasons and gets fans excited for this milestone season. Host and executive producer Tyra Banks has spent all summer gearing up for this major season and has told Extra that she has quite a few twists and turns up her sleeve.

All 15 contestants will be announced on Good Morning America on September 8, and season 30 of Dancing With the Stars will premiere on September 20 on ABC.