It’s time to lace up those dancing shoes because the wait is over! The pairings for the highly anticipated 18th season of "Let’s Dance" have just been announced, and they promise to bring plenty of excitement to viewers.
Beginning on February 21, 2025, audiences can look forward to tuning in every Friday night for thrilling dance performances as celebrities take to the stage alongside professional dancers working together for the coveted title of "Dancing Star." The pairings, revealed during the Kennenlernshow, have set social media buzzing with speculation and excitement.
This year’s line-up includes 14 unique pairs, each bringing their flair and personality to the dance floor:
- Fabian Hambüchen and Anastasia Maruster
- Taliso Engel and Patricija Ionel
- Ben Zucker and Malika Dzumaev
- Roland Trettl and Kathrin Menzinger
- Osan Yaran and Christina Hänni
- Diego Pooth and Ekaterina Leonova
- Marc Eggers and Renata Lusin
- Jeanette Biedermann and Vadim Garbuzov
- Simone Thomalla and Evgeny Vinokurov
- Paola Maria and Massimo Sinató
- Christine Neubauer and Valentin Lusin
- Marie Mouroum and Alexandru Ionel
- Sandra Safiulov and Zsolt Sándor Cseke
- Leyla Lahouar and Sergiu Maruster
Fans have expressed their views on the new pairings, especially concerning the duo of Simone Thomalla and Evgeny Vinokurov. Many took to social media to express their concerns about Thomalla’s dancing skills, with one fan lamenting, “Why do this to him? I want to see him around for long!” This reveals the emotional investment viewers have not only for their favorite celebrities but also for the professionals guiding them.
The show’s format remains consistent with previous seasons, where contestants initially showcase their skills through group dances before being paired with their professional partners. The Kennenlernshow allows for warm-ups, providing insight before the competition heats up.
The excitement around the new season is palpable, particularly as fans look forward to the first live show. Group performances have already begun to set the stage, with noteworthy rankings following the routines:
- Ben Zucker, Marc Eggers, and Osan Yaran performed to "APT" by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars, with Eggers impressively scoring 18 points, making him the day's champion.
- Christine Neubauer, Roland Trettl, and Taliso Engel danced to Etta James’ "At Last," where Engel secured 15 points, the highest among them.
- Jeanette Biedermann and Fabian Hambüchen showcased their chemistry with "Good Morning" by Lady Gaga, receiving commendable scores of 16 and 17 points, respectively.
- Marie Mouroum, Diego Pooth, and Sandra (selfiesandra) danced to Madonna’s "Vogue," with Mouroum earning the highest score of 17 points.
- Lastly, Leyla Lahouar, Paola Maria, and Simone Thomalla’s performance to "I Need to Know" by Marc Anthony garnered all of their scores equally at 10 points.
The mix of experience and fresh talent among both the contestants and professional dancers adds to the allure of the show. With each pairing, the thrill of new relationships and budding chemistry on the dance floor becomes pivotal to viewer engagement and the overall excitement of the show.
“Let’s Dance” captures the hearts of millions. For fans eager to catch every step from the comfort of their homes, the show will be broadcast on RTL and streamed live on RTL+, making it easier than ever to stay connected with the performances each week. Following the live broadcasts, episodes will be available to stream for audiences to catch up on any missed moments.
The stakes are high as the contestants prepare to leave their fears behind and show us just what they’re made of. Who will win the praise of the judges, and more significantly, the votes from the audience? That remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—the excitement surrounding “Let’s Dance” is just getting started!