Heather Headley Sings on Dancing With the Stars
The Broadway and Grammy-winning singer performed during the show's annual Disney Night taping.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Dance
Heather Headley appeared on Dancing With the Stars for the November 2 taping, singing "Circle of Life" from The Lion King during the opening number. She also performed during dances by Tatyana Ali and Connor Wood.
Why it matters
The appearance ties Headley's Disney stage work, including her Broadway role as Nala, to the show's themed episode. It also places her long theater and recording career in front of a broad television audience.
Headley's stage and recording credits include a 1997 Broadway debut as Nala, a 2000 Tony Award for Aida, and a 2010 Grammy for Audience of One. Her broadcast audience figures for this taping have not been reported.
The players
Heather Headley
A Tony and Grammy-winning singer and actress known for originating Nala in Broadway's The Lion King and for her role in Aida.
Tatyana Ali
An actress and singer known for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, who competed on this season of Dancing With the Stars.
Connor Wood
A dancer who performed alongside Tatyana Ali on this season of Dancing With the Stars.
The details
Headley sang during the opening number of the Disney Night taping and performed during Tatyana Ali and Connor Wood's dances. Behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage was shared in a joint Instagram post with Good Morning America.
Timeline
1997: Cast as Nala in the original Broadway production of The Lion King.
2000: Won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Aida.
2010: Won the Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for Audience of One.
2022: Returned to theater for the Encores! production of Into the Woods.
2 November 2026: Performed on the Dancing With the Stars Disney Night taping.
Industry Dynamics
Disney Night is an annual Dancing With the Stars tradition that pairs the show's dancers with Disney music and stage performers. Headley's appearance continues the pattern of pairing Broadway talent with the series' themed episodes.
Viewers can watch the Disney Night episode when it airs on the show's broadcast schedule. Fans can also follow Headley's performances on Broadway and in recordings through the usual theater and music channels.
The takeaway
Pairing a stage veteran with a themed television episode gives Broadway performers a wide audience beyond the theater. Viewers interested in the performers can explore their stage and recording work directly.
Further reading
For more on performance and choreography, browse our Dance coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Good Housekeeping.
