Amber Riley Reunited With Glee Costar on DWTS
The former champion joined Harry Shum Jr. for a special tango performance on Mariah Carey Night.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Dance
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Former Dancing With the Stars champion Amber Riley returned to the stage to perform during the show's themed Mariah Carey Night. She reunited with her Glee costar Harry Shum Jr. as he competed alongside professional partner Jenna Johnson.
Why it matters
The appearance marked a significant reunion for the two actors who starred together on all six seasons of the hit television show Glee. It served as a featured highlight during the competition's fourth week of the current season.
Amber Riley won season 17 of the competition in 2013 alongside partner Derek Hough. Harry Shum Jr. is currently competing in season 35 of the program.
The players
Amber Riley
She is an actress and singer who won season 17 of Dancing With the Stars in 2013.
Harry Shum Jr.
He is an actor and dancer competing in season 35 of Dancing With the Stars.
Jenna Johnson
She is a professional dancer and the partner of Harry Shum Jr. on the current season.
The details
Riley performed during a tango routine executed by Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson to the song It's Like That. The special event was part of a themed episode celebrating the music of Mariah Carey.
Timeline
2013: Amber Riley won season 17 of the competition.
October 6, 2026: Amber Riley performed on the episode airing today.
Industry Dynamics
The show continues to leverage nostalgia by inviting former stars to participate in current themed episodes. This strategy maintains engagement across generations of viewers by bridging the gap between past winners and new season contestants.
Viewers can watch the episode featuring this reunion on the network broadcasting the series. The segment is available to audiences following the live broadcast scheduled for October 6, 2026.
The takeaway
Nostalgia remains a powerful tool in reality television production to sustain interest during long-running seasons. Fans of the show can expect similar guest appearances to occur as the competition continues throughout the year.
Further reading
Explore more performances and behind-the-scenes content on our Dance page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EW.
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