Derek Hough is still figuring out this cast member’s routine.
Because when it comes to con artist Anna Delvey’s casting on Dancing with the Stars, it takes more than one performance to uncover her layers.
“She fuels the curiosity because she's still a mystery,” Derek told E! News in an exclusive interview following season 33’s premiere episode. “If I'm honest with you, even after last night, I was like, ‘I don't quite understand you yet, but I want to know more.’” (For more with Derek, tune into E! News tonight, Sept. 24.)
And indeed, it seemed like the live studio audience was similarly looking for answers after Anna and partner Ezra Sosa’s first performance was met with noticeably less enthusiasm.
But for Derek, the dance competition wouldn’t be what it is without that diversity in its stars.
“That's what I love about the show, is that it gives you a little bit of everything,” he continued. “It gives you that curiosity. There’s something in the show for everybody. So there might be somebody out there that that that wants that.”
As he quipped, “True crime is really popular right now.”
And Anna is only one of a number of stars from different backgrounds looking to win the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
On the athletic side, there are 2024 Olympians Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher and retired NBA and NFL stars Dwight Howard and Danny Amendola who will be putting their best foot forward, while Bachelor Nation alums Joey Graziadei and Jenn Tran are swapping their roses for dancing shoes.
It’s a certain degree of magic in the show’s casting that Derek looks forward to year after year.
On Ilona and Stephen’s journey from the podium to the ballroom, the former-pro on the show noted, “Just a month ago, we didn't know their names and now they're these superstars, American heroes now on Dancing with the Stars. It's really cool.”
And when it comes to who is destined to become this year’s victor, Derek says it’s still anybody’s game—or dance.
“We know the show is not just about dancing,” he added. “It's about connecting with the audience. It's about your fan-favorite.”
To meet the rest of this season’s cast, keep reading.
Anna Delvey
The inspriation behind Inventing Anna traded her ankle bracelet for dancing shoes alongside partner Ezra Sosa. However, the fake heiress was eliminated during the season's Sept. 24 episode, with her saying that she learned "nothing" in her now-infamous, one-word farewell speech.
Ilona Maher
The Olympic rugby player was ready to ruck up the dance floor with pro Alan Bersten, finishing as the runner-up.
Chandler Kinney
The Disney Channel star tried to dance her way to the top with partner Brandon Armstrong and ultimately placed third.
Brooks Nader
The model and her partner Gleb Savchenko were ready to strut along the ballroom, but took their final bow on Oct. 15.
Reginald VelJohnson
All that mattered for the Family Matters alum and partner Emma Slater was taking home the Mirrorball Trophy. However, their journey was cut short during the second week of competition on Oct. 8.
Eric Roberts
The Dark Knight star was partnered with Britt Stewart. They were eliminated in the second week alongside Reginald and Emma.
Joey Graziadei
The Bachelor alum has found his rose between thorns in partner Jenna Johnson, winning season 33.
Tori Spelling
The alum of Beverly Hills, 90210 was oh so ready to dance alongside Pasha Pashkov. Unfortunately, the two last only one week and was cut from competition in a double elimination alongside Anna and Ezra.
Danny Amendola
The NFL pro and partner Witney Carson sure scored a touchdown on the dance floor, placing fifth in the finale.
Dwight Howard
The NBA star hoped to stand head and shoulders above the competition with partner Daniella Karagach, but was eliminated from the competition on Nov. 12.
Stephen Nedoroscik
The Olympian had his sights set on another medal—or should we say, Mirrorball Trophy—with partner Rylee Arnold, placing fourth in the Nov. 26 finale.
Phaedra Parks
The Traitors alum was sure to weed out the competition with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, but ended up getting cut from the lineup Oct. 22.
Jenn Tran
Though Bachelorette star and partner Sasha Farber were full bloom in the ballroom, they were eliminated from the competition on Oct. 29.