Summer House star Ciara Miller joked about her ongoing clashes with partner Brandon Armstrong on Dancing With the Stars season 35 during an interview with E! News on September 29. Speaking candidly about her transition from Bravo reality television to the ballroom competition, Miller compared the interpersonal dynamics between her fellow celebrity cast members and her longtime housemates.
Miller and Armstrong earned a score of 18 out of 30 for their cha-cha routine set to Luther Vandross' classic hit "Never Too Much" during the show's Yacht Rock Night theme week. The pair were marked safe during the week three episode, which saw pop singer Taylor Hanson and his professional partner Britt Stewart eliminated from the competition as the remaining couples continue vying for the Mirrorball trophy.
Reflecting on the atmosphere among her fellow contestants, Miller noted a stark difference from the tense group dinners typical of her summer residence in the Hamptons. "Honestly, it's very nice," Miller said in the exclusive interview published on September 30 by reporters Carly Shihadeh and Brahmjot Kaur. "I don't have to worry about us going to dinners and who's gonna fight who. It's honestly so nice. The only person I'm fighting with is Brandon, which, that's a given."
Ballroom Competition and Hamptons Dynamics
Armstrong playfully pushed back on their rehearsal disagreements, teasing his celebrity partner about their ongoing arguments over dance routines. "It's not the best for her because I always win," Armstrong said, "so then, at that point, it's like, what are we doing?"
Miller was quick to shut down Armstrong's banter, emphasizing that learning a new dance each week presents significant physical and mental challenges. "Shut up, that's not true," Miller quipped in response. "But I know that's predictable. I know I'm gonna fight Brandon, full stop. Great, whatever. I can move on from that. I'm not gonna get my feelings hurt because I can also throw it back, too."
The calmer environment backstage at the dance competition stands in sharp contrast to Miller's living situation on Summer House. In the Bravo series, Miller shares a vacation home in the Hamptons with castmates Lindsay Hubbard, Carl Radke, Kyle Cooke, her former best friend Amanda Batula, and her ex-boyfriend West Wilson. Despite the supportive environment on the dance show, Miller stressed that competing for the Mirrorball trophy carries its own intensity.
"It's honestly nice to be able to cheer on the competition and my friends," Miller explained. However, she noted that the pressure of weekly live performances remains high. "It's still psychological warfare. Reality TV is psychological warfare. The show is also that in the same way, just because it is also a competition at the end of the day and we are all competing." Summarizing the two experiences, she added that they are "Same in some ways. Very, very different in the best ways."
Prior to the season, Miller acknowledged the physical demands required for the ballroom. Speaking to E! News in June, she shared her preparation strategy ahead of training. "Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Miller admitted. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina." Ahead of her performances, Miller also debuted a major hair transformation. A separate video segment highlighted how Miller brought judge Carrie Ann Inaba to tears during the season 35 premiere.
Celebrity Contestants on Season 35
As Miller and Armstrong continue their quest for the trophy, Dancing With the Stars features a wide roster of celebrities from film, television, sports, and social media paired with professional ballroom dancers.
Actress Julia Stiles, known for her roles in the 1999 teen romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You and the 2001 dance film Save the Last Dance, is competing alongside professional dancer Ezra Sosa. Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis is turning up the heat on the dance floor with partner Alan Bersten. Actor Harry Shum Jr., who showcased his singing and dancing talents on the musical comedy series Glee, has taken his moves to the ballroom alongside Jenna Johnson.
The season 35 roster also features former 1990s teen heartthrob Taylor Hanson, member of the pop-rock band Hanson known for their hit single MMMBop, who competed with Britt Stewart before their elimination in week three. Actress Tatyana Ali, famous for playing Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, brings her fresh moves to the floor with partner Jan Ravnik. Actress and dancer Jenna Dewan, twenty years after starring in the landmark 2006 dance movie Step Up, is stepping up to the challenge with veteran pro Val Chmerkovskiy.
Athletes are also well represented this season. 2026 Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn has transitioned her skills from the ice to the ballroom alongside partner Pasha Pashkov. Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete Ezra Frech is showing off his athletic prowess on the floor with partner Daniella Karagach. Meanwhile, Savannah Bananas baseball player Jackson Olson is stepping up to the plate, bringing dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom with Emma Slater.
Reality Stars and Television Personalities
Reality television stars and media personalities make up a significant portion of the remaining season 35 cast. Sarah Jane Nader, star of Love Thy Nader, is trying her hand in the competition alongside pro Hailey Bills, following in the footsteps of her sister Brooks Nader who competed on season 33.
Comedian Connor Wood, widely known by his social media handle Fibula, is performing with Rylee Arnold. Conner Leavitt, star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is competing with Adele Zaikman, following his wife Whitney Leavitt who competed on season 34. Bachelor Nation fan favorite Tyler Cameron has traded in roses for rumbas alongside partner Sharna Burgess. Longtime Jimmy Kimmel Live! personality Guillermo Rodriguez is learning new choreography with Witney Carson.
Rounding out the star-studded cast is Love Island UK alum Maura Higgins, who was paired with Mark Ballas. Higgins revealed that competing on the show was a long-held dream she actively manifested. "I have a vision board and I redo it every year," Higgins told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."
