Adele Zaikman Wins DWTS: The Next Pro and Joins Dancing With the Stars Season 35
Adele Zaikman has officially earned her place in the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 professional lineup.
Zaikman was crowned the winner of the first season of Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro during the show’s finale on August 31. Her victory secured the one professional spot available on the upcoming season of ABC’s long-running dance competition.
The finale came down to three dancers: Zaikman, AJ Pritchard and Selena Hamilton. After the final performances, Zaikman took first place, Pritchard finished as the runner-up and Hamilton placed third.
Adele Zaikman Wins The Next Pro Finale
The first season of Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro was built around one major prize: a professional dancer position on season 35.
That made the finale especially important for the remaining contestants.
For the final episode, Zaikman, Pritchard and Hamilton performed alongside former Dancing With the Stars finalists. Zaikman was paired with Nev Schulman, while Pritchard performed with Charli D’Amelio and Hamilton danced with Adam Rippon. Derek Hough joined Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas as a guest judge.
The finalists faced two rounds of performances, giving them one final opportunity to demonstrate their technique, creativity and ability to work with a celebrity partner.
In the end, Zaikman came out on top.
Who Is Adele Zaikman?
Zaikman is an accomplished ballroom dancer with a background in Latin dance.
She began dancing at a young age and has competed internationally. Among her notable achievements is a victory at the Blackpool Dance Festival in 2022, one of the most recognised events in competitive ballroom dancing.
Her experience also became an important part of her journey on The Next Pro.
Throughout the competition, Zaikman demonstrated strong technical ability while also showing that she could teach and work with a celebrity partner. Those qualities are particularly important for a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars.
Derek Hough Praises Zaikman’s Potential
Zaikman’s performance in the finale earned significant praise from guest judge Derek Hough.
Hough highlighted her ability to command attention on the dance floor and said she could bring something more to the professional lineup rather than simply fitting into it.
That assessment helped underline why Zaikman stood out among the dancers competing for the Season 35 position.
Her win was ultimately about more than one impressive performance. She had to prove herself throughout the competition and demonstrate the qualities expected from a professional dancer.
AJ Pritchard Finishes Second
Zaikman’s final competition came from AJ Pritchard and Selena Hamilton.
Pritchard finished in second place, while Hamilton took third.
Both dancers had made it through a demanding competition that began with a larger group of aspiring professionals. Their final performances gave the judges one last chance to evaluate the remaining dancers before deciding who would receive the Season 35 position.
Although only Zaikman earned the professional spot, the finale marked the end of a significant opportunity for all three finalists.
Adele Zaikman Joins the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Cast
Zaikman’s victory means she will now move from The Next Pro into the main Dancing With the Stars competition.
Her celebrity partner is expected to be revealed on September 2 as the rest of the Season 35 pairings are announced.
That pairing will be an important next step in Zaikman’s DWTS journey.
Unlike The Next Pro, where dancers competed for the chance to become professionals, Season 35 will require Zaikman to train and perform with a celebrity partner each week.
Her ability to teach choreography, adapt to a partner’s strengths and weaknesses, and create memorable performances will now be tested on the show’s main stage.
When Does Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Premiere?
Fans will not have to wait long to see Zaikman make her debut.
Dancing With the Stars Season 35 is scheduled to premiere September 15, 2026, on ABC and Disney+. The new season will begin with a two-night premiere event running September 15 and 16.
The upcoming season is also bringing back familiar faces, including professional dancer Sharna Burgess, who is returning to the competitive lineup.
With Zaikman joining the professionals, Season 35 will introduce another new dynamic to the ballroom.
What Can Fans Expect From Adele Zaikman in Season 35?
Zaikman’s biggest challenge now begins.
Winning The Next Pro proved that she can compete at a high level. However, Dancing With the Stars presents a different test because professional dancers must help celebrities learn demanding choreography within a limited amount of time.
The chemistry between each professional and celebrity partner can also influence how far a couple goes in the competition.
For Zaikman, Season 35 will therefore be about more than showcasing her own dance skills. She will have to help her partner improve from week to week while creating performances that connect with both the judges and viewers.
Adele Zaikman’s DWTS Journey Is Just Beginning
Adele Zaikman’s victory on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro has officially opened the door to the show’s main competition.
After defeating AJ Pritchard and Selena Hamilton in the August 31 finale, Zaikman earned the professional position she had been competing for throughout the season.
Now, attention turns to her Season 35 celebrity pairing and her first performance as an official DWTS professional.
For Zaikman, the journey from competitive ballroom dancer to Dancing With the Stars pro is entering its biggest chapter yet.