This post was updated Oct. 7 at 10:36 p.m.

The journey to the 34th Mirrorball win begins.

Premiering Sept. 16, the 34th season of Dancing with the Stars will bring exciting new numbers. From tango to jive routines, the new rendition of the show has a high-energy soundtrack featuring Tate McRae, Lady Gaga and more. Bringing some familiar faces, especially to Bruins, there seems to be a trend in the contestants who will rise in popularity.

Keep reading for the Daily Bruin’s predictions on the upcoming DWTS season.

Winners: Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy

All signs pointe to pairing Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy for the winning title of “Dancing with the Stars” 2025.

24-year-old internet celebrity Alix Earle will team up with three-time DWTS champion Val Chmerkovskiy for the show’s 34th season, which premiered Sept. 16 on ABC and Disney+. With returning co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, as well as judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough, this season’s competition will be as fierce as Chmerkovskiy’s infamous Paso Doble, and only the most dedicated and fan-favored will come out on top. Backed by her millions of followers on social media, as well as her experience growing up dancing, Earle may surprise DWTS fans.

Although the show’s elimination process is based on a celebrity-pro duo’s total score – equal consideration given to judges’ points and viewers’ votes – DWTS seems to have progressed slightly more toward a popularity contest in recent seasons, and internet sensation Earle is undoubtedly used to the views. With regards to starting the show, Earle said “I am definitely competitive, which I don’t think anyone has ever really seen before … people are used to seeing me having fun, and I think the more serious side of myself is definitely going to come out in the training.” With the skills to win over a crowd and the expert guidance of Chmerkovskiy, Ukrainian-American two-time World Latin Dance Champion and 14-time US National Latin Dance Champion, this couple will be quite hard to beat.

Earle and Chmerkovskiy are very likely to sashay their way to the top.

– Eleanor Meyers

[Related: Second Take: With its unfair voting system, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ may be losing its shimmer]

Last three finalists: Robert Irwin, Jordan Chiles and Whitney Leavitt

Even before the music starts, three dancers have success written in the stars.

Wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, Olympian – and Bruin – Jordan Chiles and reality star Whitney Leavitt have all the tools needed for a victory this season, so long as they make the most of them. The competition’s typical elimination system determines a celebrity’s total score with equal weight given to judges’ points and viewers’ votes. Therefore, the stars that make it farthest in the series typically have a strong work ethic, a well-rounded coach and an engaged fanbase. Alongside their partners, Irwin, Chiles and Leavitt align closely with that description.

Irwin and his partner Witney Carson’s team photo on the DWTS Instagram received more likes than any other pairing, already marking him as a fan favorite and more likely to earn votes. With his sister Bindi Irwin winning the show in 2015, in addition to Carson leading five of her previous partners to the final three, Robert’s chances are looking bright. Meanwhile, Chiles follows a long line of Olympians who have thrived on the series, six of whom have won. Alongside her athletic dedication, Chiles will likely benefit from being paired with 24-year-old Ezra Sosa, maintaining a fun dynamic online. Lastly, Leavitt’s extensive dance background will undoubtedly serve her well, especially in partnership with Mark Ballas, arguably one of the show’s greatest pros. With the high viewership of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” her fans can also be expected to bring her far in the competition.

With all the ingredients for a mirrorball, these dancers just have to nail the steps.

– Victoria Munck

[Related: Spring Sing 2025 showcases artistic talent as Ella Gibson, ACA All Day win awards]

Best team dynamic: Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa

The inside scoop is always being served from Ezra Sosa and Jordan Chiles, so put them together and DWTS fans will feel just as close to the mirrorball win.

Steps, turns and dips are all vital for a mirrorball trophy but so is team chemistry. Luckily, Ezra Sosa and Jordan Chiles have the duo synergy. Olympian and Bruin, Chiles will be partnered with 24-year-old second-time pro Sosa, who is known to have an active presence online by engaging with fans through funny TikTok videos, adding a personal layer. Sosa seemed to have broken the fourth wall by including a more open narrative of behind the scenes, exposing what the show’s camera doesn’t always catch. Now partnered with Chiles, their content is already lining up to be a perfect 10 – or in this case, three perfect 10s.

Since the premiere Tuesday, Sept. 16, avid fans have been engaging with Chiles and Sosa’s content. Thus far, the duo has brought the energy by engaging in viral trends – adding a youthful touch to the upcoming season – already looking for a team name and asking fans to help. All of their content together has displayed how much energy, dedication and connection the two have already established even before hitting the dance floor.

With each trend and view off the stage, this team is one step closer to three perfect 10s and a mirrorball win.

– Makayla Sandoval