Artem Chigvintsev announces he is returning to Dancing With The Stars as a Season 29 pro

It’s official! Artem Chigvintsev is returning to Dancing With the Stars for the upcoming 29th season!

ABC confirmed the Pro dancer’s casting on Monday’s Good Morning America, after the show teased that a surprise announcement was coming via Twitter last Friday. Chigvintsev will be the 15th professional dancer to compete on season 29 of DWTS. Which will also see Tyra Banks take on the role as the new host of the show.

“I want to dedicate this season to my little boy”

Artem’s casting announcement comes just a few weeks after he welcomed his first child, a baby boy, with fiancée Nikki Bella. Whom he met when they were partnered up on DWTS in 2017. They came in 7th place.

The pro dancer made the announcement during the Aug. 24 edition of Good Morning America. “Last season, watching from the sidelines, really made me realize how much I really miss the show. Miss performing live,” Artem said on GMA. “I just can’t wait to get back. I want to dedicate this season to my little boy.” He also assured, “I’ve been working out every single day trying to get back into my dancing shape … by the premiere, I’ll be top-notch.”

“Getting let go three days before an announcement, that’s like a punch in the stomach”

This will mark Artem’s long-awaited return to the ballroom after he and fellow fan-favorite dancer, Sharna Burgess were cut from the pro lineup last year, for Season 28.

“It was a massive shock,” he said during an episode of the Total Bellas podcast, last year, explaining that he learned the news just days before the full cast was officially announced. “Getting let go three days before an announcement, that’s like a punch in the stomach, really,” he added. “It’s like going through a breakup after 10 years.” Artem has been a part of the DWTS family since 2014.

“I just know how much he misses dancing and I know he would love to be back on the show”

Nikki also opened up about the possibility of her fiancee returning to the dance competition show on the podcast. “People really missed his presence and he’s just an incredible dancer. And he’s always an incredible partner too,” gushed Nikki, who was paired with Artem during the show’s 25th season. “He truly knows how to showcase the celebrity and he’s an incredible choreographer.”

“I’m praying and hoping that he’s back this season. Even for him, I just know how much he misses dancing. And I know he would love to be back on the show,” she added. “It would just be fun to experience it now as his fiancée because I’ve danced with him.”

DWTS Season 29 Pros

Artem and Sharna, who are both back for season 29, will be competing for the mirrorball this season, along with recently announced pros, Peta Murgatroyd, Val Chmerkovskiy, Cheryl Burke. Keo Motsepe, Jenna Johnson, Alan Bersten, Brandon Armstrong, Sasha Farber, Pasha Pashkov, Emma Slater and Gleb Savchenko. Two first-time pros, Britt Stewart and Daniella Karagach will also be joining the cast.

Although the entire celebrity cast has yet to be announced, at least one has been confirmed. The Bachelorette’s Kaitlyn Bristowe will be seen in the newest season of the dance reality competition.

Tom and Erin’s Exit

DWTS season 29 will be unlike any other. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be more safety protocols in place. All the pros must live apart, including the married pro couples, while competing. Fans of the show will also witness Tyra Banks as the new host of the show. Since co-hosts, Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews would not be returning.

“Tom Bergeron will forever be part of the Dancing with the Stars family. As we embark on a new creative direction, he departs the show with our sincerest thanks and gratitude for his trademark wit and charm that helped make this show a success.” ABC and BBC Studios announced in a joint statement. Bergeron co-hosted all 28 seasons of the dance competition show from 2005 through 2020, spanning 15 years and nearly 450 episodes.

“Erin will also not be returning, and we appreciate all that she brought to the ballroom,” the statement continued. “Fans have been rooting for her since she originally competed as a contestant back in 2010. And her signature sense of humor has become a hallmark of the show.”

“I’m excited to continue the legacy and put on my executive producer and hosting hats”

Tyra Banks, who will also be an executive producer on the series shared her excitement on taking over as the show’s host. “I’ve been a fan of ‘DWTS‘ since its beginning, the TV personality said. “The fun mixed with raw emotion, seeing celebrities push past their comfort zones, the sizzling dance performances. It’s always transported me to my days of turning it up 10 notches on the catwalk.” Banks says as she recalls her supermodel days.

Banks also took the moment to honor DWTS’s long running host, Bergeron. “Tom has set a powerful stage. I’m excited to continue the legacy and put on my executive producer and hosting hats.”

Season 29 of DWTS will premiere on Monday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.