With its current season’s lineup of participants, DWTS is poised to light up another stage. Season 31 has a broad and interesting cast of celebrities eager to put on their dance shoes. This year’s Best Picture winner CODA actor Daniel Durant is poised to go on Dancing With The Stars, making him the show’s third-ever deaf participant. The actor will collaborate with DWTS pro dancer Britt Stewart. Selma Blair, Trevor Donovan, Cheryl Ladd, and Jason Lewis are among the other actors that will feature in the next episode of the series. After 30 seasons on ABC, DWTS will return to Disney+ on September 19 at 8 p.m. ET. Season 19 Mirrorball winner Alfonso Riberio, who will co-host with Tyra Banks, stated in a statement:
“Dancing with the Stars has been such an essential part of my life for so many years, and I am overjoyed to finally re-join this close-knit family as co-host; Tyra and I have a longtime connection that I believe will resonate with all of the viewers at home as we kick off this new season on Disney+.”
Meet Daniel Durant as he prepares to compete in the next season of DWTS.
Daniel grew raised in Minnesota after being born in Michigan. In Grade 8, the actor transferred to Minnesota State School for the Deaf after attending conventional schools. He got his associate’s degree in 2011 from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, after graduating from MSAD in 2008. In 2012, the actor relocated to Los Angeles to join the Deaf West Theatre production and afterward worked as a guest actor at Oakland University with Terp Theatre. Daniel has since acted in many Broadway shows, including Police: Deaf: Near: Far as Stinger and Spring Awakening as Moritz in the highly renowned Deaf West production.
Aside from Broadway, Daniel has starred as Mathew on ABC’s Switched at Birth, in the 2020 short film Silent Notes, and in Netflix’s You. The DWTS contestant has won many prizes, including the 2016 Theater Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut Performance and The Huffington Post’s Top 10 Best Theatrical Performances. The actor will now appear on the DWTS stage. During an interview on Good Morning America, the presenter questioned Daniel if the Oscars or the ballroom was more daunting.
Daniel remarked that attending the Oscars was a good experience, citing “the red carpet and being on the stage.”
“Coming here is a similar sensation; I like performing on stage, so I feel at ease.” And, honestly, I’m prepared.”
The CODA actor then contrasted his Broadway experience to the show, saying that although he has experience with dance and choreography, dancing with a partner is new to him.
“I’m excited about it.”
The actor was taken aback when he learned that his co-star Marlee Matlin, a “DWTS veteran,” had a message for him. She remarked in the video message that she was “very proud” of him for being on Dancing with the Stars. She expressed her support for the actor, saying:
“Stand tall, dance hard, you’re going to have a great time.”
Fans were ecstatic by Daniel’s appearance on DWTS.
Marlee Matlin isn’t the only one who is delighted about Daniel’s appearance on the program; the actor’s followers expressed their joy and support on Twitter. Jordin Sparks, Gabby Windey, Vinny Guadagnino, Teresa Giudice, Shangela, and TikTok influencers Charli D’Amelio and Heidi D’Amelio are among the other celebrities fighting for the Mirrorball trophy on DWTS season 31. Wayne Brady, Jessie James Decker, Joseph Baena, and Sam Champion will join them in the race.
Daniel & Britt are my couple I’m rooting for no ifs and or buts like they have all my votes however that’s going to work but they’re my team for this season 😀👍🏽 #dwts
— Noelle Claire (@ClaireStaton) September 8, 2022
Congratulations, Daniel Durant! He is the contestant for Dancing with the Stars. He is Deaf actor from the movie, CODA. The show will season premiere live streaming on Disney+ on September 19th 8pm ET/5pm PT. #DeafAwarenessMonth #DWTS31 #Deaf #BTSArmy #BTS @BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/Z0zD8nU7ig
— Deaf Army Education⁷ (slow) 🤟💜 (@deafarmyedu) September 8, 2022
