Dancing With the Stars season 35 kicked off with a two-night premiere on September 15, and at prediction markets site Kalshi, traders are already staking predictions on who will lift the Mirrorball Trophy.
Season 35 features a stacked 16-couple cast that rivals any recent seasons when it comes to star power. The DWTS winner market has moved several times over the past week at Kalshi as new storylines continue to emerge from rehearsals, and we’ve got all of the inside information you’ll need.
Who’s Leading the Winner Market Right Now?
According to prediction market sites, Jenna Dewan has a 22% chance to go all the way. Jackson Olson (18%) and Harry Shum Jr. (16%) sit just behind Dewan at the Kalshi board.
Shum Jr. has skyrocketed up the DWTS leaderboard over the past week, likely thanks to the on-screen dance work fans are accustomed to seeing in Glee.
Dewan, meanwhile, is a strong contender thanks to her own dance and choreography background, although some traders have questioned whether her vast experience gives her an unfair edge under the judges.
Olson, an American baseball player, doesn’t have the same type of dancing pedigree as Dewan and Shum Jr., but traders are clearly giving him a shot due to his athleticism. But does being a star baseball player translate to lighting up the dance floor on a national stage? We’ll have to wait and see.
Beyond the frontrunners, the field remains fairly open, with several cast members still priced in the single digits ahead of week one.
Key Factors That Could Shift the Winner Market
Every sharp
culture predictions
trader knows that finding success in this niche requires finding an edge. We’ve broken down the key factors you should consider when picking an outright winner in DWTS season 35.
Premiere Night Scores
The first judges' scorecards typically trigger the biggest single-day price swings of the season, as traders get their first real data point beyond pre-season speculation.
Injuries and Setbacks
Physical setbacks can shift odds quickly. Giada De Laurentiis, for example, saw her elimination odds jump after revealing a rehearsal toe injury, a reminder of how fast news can move these markets.
Fan Voting Momentum
DWTS combines judge scores with America's vote, so contestants with built-in fanbases, whether from film, music, or reality TV, often see their odds hold up even through inconsistent scoring when it comes to culture predictions.
How to Trade the DWTS Winner Market on Kalshi
Trading this market at Kalshi, one of the more active
prediction market sites
for entertainment outcomes, takes just a few steps:
- Click through to create a Kalshi account
- Complete quick identity verification
- Fund your account via ACH, bank transfer, or debit card
- Search "Dancing With the Stars" or browse the Culture section
- Select your contestant and choose a "Yes" or "No" contract
- Track pricing as scores and fan votes roll in each week
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