Dancing with the Stars Tallahassee 2025 — where local legends light up the ballroom for a good cause
Florida State University College of Law Dean Erin O’Hara O’Connor rolled a suitcase to the dance floor and flew through the air as a graceful, fleet-footed flight attendant in an earlier Dancing with the Stars Tallahassee supporting Legal Services of North Florida.
Get ready, Tallahassee — the spotlight is back on. Dancing with the Stars Tallahassee returns December 11, with local leaders trading in their suit jackets for sequins in support of Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF).
LSNF has announced the return of the popular fundraiser, which pairs local celebrities with professional dancers to compete for both bragging rights and the coveted Judge’s Choice Award. WTXL ABC27 will once again emcee the evening, with chief meteorologist Cassanova Nurse and Live in Tallahassee host Joel Silvers sharing the stage.
This year’s celebrity cast includes:
Louise Wilhite-St. Laurent, partner, Panza Maurer
Carrie Ley, Realtor, Keller Williams Town and Country
Betty Jensen, Center for Global Engagement, Florida State University
David Clark, founder and managing partner, Allegiant Strategies Group
Jack Porter, City Commissioner
Monesia Brown, attorney and consultant
Max Solomon, partner, Heuler Wakeman Solomon Law Group
Professional partners include dancers from Tallahassee Dance Academy; Skyler Lewis; Studio D’s Miriam Watkins; Line and Swing Dance Co.’s John Shaw and Gianna Leto; Stephanie Shumate; Pamela Harrell; Dance Fusion; and the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, with professionals Steve Wilkie, Oleh Shvaha, and Iryna Holiuk.
A panel of four judges — Samantha Padgett, Alex Medina, David Grimes, and Mylisa Chimento — will determine the Judge’s Choice Award winner.
Supporters can also cast votes for the People’s Choice Award. Every dollar donated to a dancer counts as one vote, and the dancer who raises the most funds claims the title.
The event will be held in the Grande Ballroom at Doak Campbell Stadium. A VIP reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by the live competition at 7 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities — including premium seating and promotional visibility — remain available at www.DancingTallahassee.org. Proceeds benefit LSNF’s work to ensure access to justice for vulnerable members of the community.