Kamri Peterson is joining the Dancing With the Stars season 35 dance troupe, according to E! News. The announcement was made during the first DWTS Con in Palm Springs, California, on Aug. 2.
Peterson, 18, is a World ProAm champion ballroom dancer who previously competed as a pro on Dancing With the Stars: Juniors in 2018. As part of the troupe, she will not be paired with any of the season 35 celebrity contestants.
Instead, Peterson will appear in opening numbers, choreographed group performances and other transitional segments during each episode. That role was filled by Hailey Bills, Onye Stevenson, Jaxon Willard and Carter Williams in season 34.
After the announcement, Peterson told Us Weekly that she was shocked and excited by the opportunity and said it had been a dream of hers since her time on Juniors. She also said she hopes to inspire younger dancers and show that ballroom can be fun, not just competitive.
Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars is set to premiere on ABC on Sept. 15. The season will also add the winner of the ongoing Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro competition, who will join the cast with a celebrity partner.
