Hilaria Baldwin is officially trading yoga mats for sequins. The 41-year-old mom of seven has joined the cast of Dancing With the Stars Season 34, announced September 3, and she’s moving her entire family to Los Angeles for the ride.
“I’m bringing everybody,” Baldwin told USA Today. “We just decided to do something crazy and that we’d all go to LA.”
Who’s Competing This Season?
Baldwin joins an eclectic lineup that includes Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, former NBA guard Baron Davis, actor Corey Feldman, Dylan Efron (brother of Zac), comedian Andy Richter, and actress Elaine Hendrix.
They’ll compete alongside previously announced names like wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, TikTok star Alix Earle, and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast members Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt.
Baldwin’s “Mystical” Path to the Ballroom
Baldwin isn’t a stranger to dance. She grew up training in ballroom and even competed with NYU’s team before shifting her focus to yoga. Fans started buzzing about a DWTS appearance after she posted playful TikTok dance routines, often featuring husband Alec Baldwin.
She says those videos unexpectedly led producers to her. “It’s a kind of mystical journey that got me here,” she explained. “I was just having fun, and suddenly I’m part of this world.”
Despite her experience, Baldwin worried she might be too advanced for a show that typically casts beginners. Alec had urged her to try for years. “For a long time I thought, ‘I’ve got too much experience. Is that a problem?’ Apparently it’s not.”
The Hurdles Ahead
Baldwin will dance with pro partner Gleb Savchenko, but she knows the competition won’t be easy. She stopped dancing 16 years ago after breaking her hip and says her body is “different now” after years of yoga and motherhood.
She’s also aware the Baldwins are a lightning rod in the public eye. Alec’s political clashes and the 2021 fatal Rust shooting have made the couple a frequent target online. Baldwin insists she won’t let critics distract her.
“Everybody has their critics,” she said. “If you go through life trying to prove things to people, you’re missing the point.”
For Baldwin, the show marks a new chapter. “You collect the good and the bad in life along the way. We’re all looking forward.”
The Season 34 Pairings
- Jen Affleck (Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) with Jan Ravnik
- Hilaria Baldwin with Gleb Savchenko
- Jordan Chiles (Olympic gymnast) with Ezra Sosa
- Baron Davis (NBA star) with Britt Stewart
- Alix Earle (social media star) with Val Cmerkovskiy
- Dylan Efron (reality TV) with Daniella Karagach
- Corey Feldman (actor) with Jenna Johnson
- Danielle Fishel (Boy Meets World) with Pasha Pashkov
- Elaine Hendrix (Parent Trap) with Alan Bersten
- Scott Hoying (Pentatonix) with Rylee Arnold
- Robert Irwin (wildlife conservationist) with Witney Carson
- Lauren Jauregui (Fifth Harmony) with Brandon Armstrong
- Whitney Leavitt (Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) with Mark Ballas
- Andy Richter (comedian) with Emma Slater
