Make way for guest judges on Dancing with the Stars season 25. People magazine reports that former pro Julianne Hough will NOT be returning as a judge for the new season. But Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli are all returning with the competition reality show returns to ABC on Monday September 18.
“We are thrilled to have Len, Bruno and Carrie Ann back in the ballroom and look forward to welcoming guest judges wherever possible,” a rep for DWTS tells People.
Julianne performed as a pro on Dancing with the Stars for seasons 4 through 8, winning the show twice with Apolo Anton Ohno and Helio Castroneves. She retired as pro after season 8. In 2014, the dancer became the show’s permanent 4th judge.
UPDATED: According to ET sources:
A source tells ET that the 29-year-old dancer chose not to return because she’s working on other projects and focusing on her acting career. ET’s source says her new marriage (and Laich’s hockey career) wasn’t the reason for her leaving the show. “It has nothing to do with her husband’s schedule. She is so not that person,” the source reveals. “She would never ever sacrifice her career for her husband.”
Dancing with the Stars 25 Premiere Spoilers Song Choices and Dance Styles
In other news, TV Guide reveals what themes we can expect from the upcoming DWTS season. Watch out for Disney, Guilty Pleasures, and Latin Night. And according to executive producer Ashley Edens-Shaffer, there are a few surprises: “We have the Trio Round, [and] we’re hoping to bring back a former celebrity,” Edens told TV Guide. “We’re going to potentially do an Iconic Dances Night, where our couples will repeat, reimagine, reinterpret an iconic dance from earlier seasons.”
