{"id":173340,"date":"2025-12-03T18:55:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T18:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/173340\/"},"modified":"2025-12-03T18:55:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T18:55:09","slug":"behind-the-scenes-of-dancing-with-the-stars-holiday-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/173340\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind the Scenes of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Holiday Special"},"content":{"rendered":"

Season 34 of \u201cDancing with the Stars<\/a>\u201d came to its conclusion last week. Wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin<\/a> and his professional partner Witney Carson<\/a> victoriously walked away with the prestigious Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy after an entertaining finale.<\/p>\n

However, that wasn\u2019t the end of what the show had to offer in 2025. On Tuesday, December 2, \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d returned for a festive special titled \u201cDancing with the Holidays<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serving up some holiday magic with the DWTS professional dancers, former contestants, and a few special guests, \u201cDancing with the Holidays\u201d really kicked the festive season off with a bang \u2014 and Derek Hough\u2019s<\/a> entertainment show \u201cExtra\u201d has served up some behind-the-scenes footage.<\/p>\n

Jen Affleck Went Backstage on the \u2018Dancing With the Stars\u2019 Holiday Special<\/p>\n

The behind-the-scenes footage came in the form of a 107-second video<\/a> on \u201cExtra\u2019s\u201d official Instagram account<\/a>, which was shared with the show\u2019s 1 million followers.<\/p>\n

It was captioned, \u201c\u2018Tis the season for dancing! Jen Affleck<\/a> takes us exclusively behind the scenes of the #DWTS holiday special! \ud83e\udea9\ud83c\udf84\u201d<\/p>\n

Affleck \u2014 a cast member of \u201cThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives\u201d \u2014 was, of course, a participant on the recently finished season of DWTS. Partnering with Jan Ravnik<\/a>, she was the sixth contestant eliminated on October 28.<\/p>\n

She headed backstage to speak to the likes of fellow season 34 contestant actor and comedian Andy Richter<\/a>. Richter, who was the eighth contestant eliminated on November 11, took part in the holiday special to dance alongside his professional partner Emma Slater<\/a> and her former celebrity partner, Reginald VelJohnson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Richter described the experience as \u201cjust a really fun day\u201d and explained to Affleck that it was far less nerve-racking than the actual show. He said, \u201cOh, this is easy because no one\u2019s judging. You know, outside of just home viewers judging us. But there\u2019s no points attached.\u201d<\/p>\n

Affleck also spoke to her own professional partner, Jan Ravnik, suggesting he was \u201chaving a blast\u201d on the holiday special. He replied, \u201cYeah, so much blast!\u201d<\/p>\n

Other individuals Affleck caught up with included professional dancers Ezra Sosa<\/a> and the aforementioned Emma Slater.<\/p>\n

The video featured lots of additional fun footage, too. It ended the the cast of the festive special collectively shouting \u201cHAPPY HOLIDAYS!\u201d<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll have to watch the whole thing to see what else it shows.<\/p>\n

Fans \u2018Love\u2019 the Idea of the Behind-the-Scenes Look<\/p>\n

\u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d fans seemed to enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at the \u201cDancing with the Holidays\u201d festive special.<\/p>\n

One commented<\/a> on the video saying, \u201cLove this idea!\u201d<\/p>\n

Lots of people seemed to love Jan Ravnik\u2019s input on the video, with one writing<\/a>, \u201cSo much blast.\u201d I\u2019m gonna use that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another fan<\/a> said, \u201cJan\u2019s so iconic \ud83d\udc4f\u201d and someone else<\/a> said, \u201cJan I can\u2019t \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\udc80.\u201d<\/p>\n

The behind-the-scenes sneak peak made one \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d viewer<\/a> excited to see the holiday episode, as they wrote, \u201cAwww I can\u2019t wait to watch it \ud83d\udc83\ud83d\udd7a.\u201d<\/p>\n

The \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d holiday special was hosted by Julianne Hough<\/a> and Alfonso Ribeiro<\/a>. In addition to the full roster of current DWTS professionals and former pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy<\/a>, other former contestants who appeared included Scott Hoying<\/a>, Hannah Brown<\/a>, and Rashad Jennings. There was also a performance from a cappella group Pentatonix.<\/p>\n

Jenna Johnson<\/a> and Val Chmerkovskiy\u2019s<\/a> almost three-year-old son Rome made an appearance, as did Ribeiro\u2019s wife Angela Unkrich and their three kids, AJ, 12, Anders, 10, Ava, 6. It all added to the wholesome nature of the special.<\/p>\n

There were multiple great choreographed performances, including four reprise performances from series past.<\/p>\n

\u201cDancing with the Holidays\u201d is now available to stream on Disney+<\/a> and Hulu, and we strongly recommend you watch it \u2014 especially if you\u2019re looking to get into the Christmas spirit.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

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