After finding love with Kelsey Anderson on The Bachelor, Joey Graziadei dazzled us with his moves on the dance floor. He competed on and won Season 33. The fan-favorite was tapped to host the show’s official podcast that debuted with Season 34. He’s also returning to the ballroom in a very special role for its 20th birthday celebration. Keep reading for all the details.
DWTS Turns 20 With Huge Birthday Bash
D-list celebrities have been teaming up with professional dancers on ABC’s reality dance competition for twenty years now! Bachelorette star Trista Sutter, boxer Evander Holyfield, model Rachel Hunter, singer Joey McIntyre, actor John O’Hurley, and soap star Kelly Monaco were the cast in the first season in 2005. Kelly Monaco was the winner.
DWTS is throwing a huge birthday celebration on Tuesday, November 11, and you’re invited! ABC has big surprises in store, including the unexpected return of former host Tom Bergeron.
The festivities celebrate the current and former cast. Derek Hough has a special opening number planned to pay tribute to the history of the show. In between the partying, the remaining Season 34 contestants take the dance floor with the hope of surviving elimination.
A lot of past celebrities return, including Bachelor star Joey Graziadei in an exciting role.
Bachelor Star Joey Graziadei Returns In Special Role
For the first time ever in the history of DWTS, the Season 34 contestants leave their partners behind and take the floor with someone new. The six remaining contestants team up with a former champion in a relay dance. Whitney Leavitt has immunity from performing the relay.
@alixearle See you Tuesday 👍🏼👏🏻👏🏻🤸🏼 @Joey Graziadei
Social media influencer Alix Earle took to TikTok to reveal her partner for the special dance. She’s paired with Season 33 champ Joey Graziadei! The pairs dance a Quickstep, Jive, or a Viennese Waltz. The winners will get two points added to their total scores.
Other Current Contestant & Champions Relay Pairings
Joey Graziadei isn’t the only champ from Bachelor Nation attending the party. DWTS Season 29 winner Kaitlyn Bristowe teams up with comedian Andy Richter on the dance floor.
In a surprising twist, Robert Irwin’s partner isn’t his sister, Bindi Irwin, who won 21. Instead, he teams up with Season 32 champ Xochitl Gomez. The other returning champions are Rashad Jennings, Apolo Anton Ohno, and Rumer Willis.
Check out the full pairings:
- Alix Earle & Joey Graziadei, Season 33 winner
- Andy Richter & Kaitlyn Bristowe, Season 29 winner
- Elaine Hendrix & Rashad Jennings, Season 24 winner
- Jordan Chiles & Apolo Anton Ohno, Season 4 winner
- Robert Irwin & Xochitl Gomez, Season 32 winner
- Dylan Efron & Rumer Willis, Season 20 winner
Joey Graziadei’s fiance, Kelsey Anderson, will likely be in the audience to cheer him on. The couple moved to Los Angeles, California, when he was a contestant on DWTS.
In addition to dancing with the former champions, the Season 34 contestants dance with their regular pro partners. Tell us in the comments which returning pro you’re eager to see the most.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
