Why "Dancing With the Stars" Is So Popular |
"Dancing With the Stars" offers viewers a weekly dose of inspiration and joy.
Watching others step outside their comfort zone can inspire us to grow, too.
Inclusive casting highlights what's possible when people lead with resilience, optimism, and hope.
It's Thursday morning, and my client is in a better mood than usual.
"Was there something you did differently this week that's contributed to feeling like your 'emotions felt more consistent,' as you mentioned?"
"It might sound strange," she begins, "but I'm watching Dancing With the Stars for the first time. It's so touching—I cried twice during last night's episode!"
I nod knowingly, because I did, too.
Coincidentally, this was also my first time watching the show. I had watched So You Think You Can Dance back in the day and am no stranger to reality TV, but Dancing With the Stars was never of interest to me until this year. And apparently I'm not alone: Its current 35th season, which began last month, has garnered 6.67 million viewers across ABC and Disney , a 24% jump from the previous year. It's also the show's biggest audience since 2020.
So, what is it about rookies trying ballroom dancing that's so entertaining and appealing?
1. The courage to be a beginner
There is something deeply moving about watching accomplished, well-known people have the bravery to try something new in front of millions of viewers. After all, most of us like to avoid situations where we might look foolish. It can be tempting to stick with hobbies we're good at, skip karaoke night because we aren't a singer, and stay within our comfort zones. On Dancing With the Stars, we watch celebrities do the exact opposite: They stumble through rehearsals, struggle to pick up........