Adele Zaikman has officially secured a position as a professional dancer on the upcoming 35th season of "Dancing With the Stars." The announcement follows her victory in the competition "Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro," which concluded with a finale on August 31, 2026.
Zaikman was crowned the inaugural winner of the competition after a final showdown during the season finale. In the closing round, she defeated runner-up AJ Pritchard to claim the title. The final standings also saw Selena Hamilton finishing in third place. The results were officially announced at the conclusion of the August 31 episode, marking the end of the first-ever season of this specific competition format.
The victory serves as a significant career milestone for Zaikman, as the primary prize for winning "The Next Pro" is a professional dancer spot on the main "Dancing With the Stars" series. Her transition from the competition to a professional role on Season 35 establishes her as a key addition to the show's roster of performers.
As the television industry prepares for the upcoming season, Zaikman’s win highlights the successful launch of the "Next Pro" series, which serves as a direct pathway for emerging talent to join the established professional ranks of the long-running dance franchise.