Dancing with the Stars Honored Dolly Parton
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa performed a quickstep to a Dolly Parton recording during the Season 35 premiere.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Dance
During the Dancing with the Stars Season 35 premiere on September 15 and 16, 2026, competitors Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa danced to a recording of Dolly Parton performing 9 to 5. The performance was featured as part of the television program's nostalgia-themed episode.
Why it matters
The production team selected the song to feature in a nostalgia-themed broadcast, utilizing a recording that was cleared for use on the show prior to the music icon's passing.
The show is currently in its 35th season. Dolly Parton was 80 years old at the time of her death on August 25, 2026.
The players
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton was a legendary singer-songwriter and musician who passed away at age 80.
Julia Stiles
Julia Stiles is an actress who competed as a dancer during the Season 35 premiere of the program.
Ezra Sosa
Ezra Sosa is a professional dancer who partnered with Julia Stiles for the quickstep performance.
The details
The show opted to use a pre-recorded track rather than a live band performance for the quickstep routine. This decision followed the standard clearance process established for the program's music selection.
Timeline
August 25, 2026: Dolly Parton died at age 80.
September 15, 2026: The Season 35 premiere of Dancing with the Stars occurred.
September 16, 2026: The second night of the Season 35 premiere was broadcast.
September 22, 2026: The next episode of Dancing with the Stars is scheduled to air.
Industry Dynamics
This performance follows a pattern set by previous nostalgia-themed episodes of the show. Major network television productions continue to leverage legacy musical catalogs to appeal to multi-generational audiences during competition broadcasts.
Viewers can watch the season by tuning into the network's regularly scheduled broadcasts on Monday nights. Access to the performances is provided through the television network's standard programming slots.
The takeaway
Using established recordings from legendary artists allows production teams to honor cultural legacies while engaging modern television audiences. Fans of the show can anticipate a continued focus on iconic music as the competition moves into its next scheduled episodes.
What happens next
The next episode of Dancing with the Stars will air on September 22, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of music and performance, see our coverage of Dance.
