Why Is Charli D’Amelio Back on DWTS? Her Next Pro Finale Role Explained

Charli D’Amelio is back in the Dancing with the Stars ballroom, but she is not returning as a Season 35 celebrity contestant. The Season 31 champion returned for the Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro finale as AJ Pritchard’s celebrity partner, helping test whether AJ can handle the exact job he is competing to win. AJ, Adele Zaikman and Selena Hamilton each received a former DWTS finalist for the last challenge, with Charli assigned to AJ, Nev Schulman paired with Adele and Adam Rippon dancing with Selena. The finalists must choreograph and lead their celebrity partners before one of them earns a professional position on Dancing with the Stars Season 35.

Why did Charli D’Amelio return to Dancing with the Stars?

Charli returned because The Next Pro finale is designed to give the three remaining dancers their closest test yet to the real DWTS professional job. Instead of working only with another trained ballroom competitor, AJ must build routines around a celebrity who has already experienced the flagship competition from the other side of the partnership. ABC officially announced that Charli, Nev and Adam would return to work with the final three in front of a live studio audience.

That makes Charli’s presence much more meaningful than an ordinary finale cameo. AJ is trying to prove that he can choreograph, lead, communicate with and showcase someone else, all responsibilities he would immediately take on if he wins the Season 35 pro position. Charli gives the judges an unusually strong test because she already knows what an excellent DWTS partnership feels like.

Did Charli D’Amelio already win Dancing with the Stars?

Yes. Charli won Dancing with the Stars Season 31 in 2022 with professional partner Mark Ballas. They defeated fellow finalists Gabby Windey, Wayne Brady and Shangela after Charli completed a season in which her technical ability and growth made her one of the strongest competitors in the show’s history.

Her history also creates an interesting situation for AJ. Charli is not a ballroom beginner who needs to learn everything from scratch, but AJ still has to take control of the partnership rather than allowing her experience to carry the routine. The finale is therefore testing whether AJ can make a highly capable celebrity look even better while still demonstrating that the choreography and creative decisions are his own.

Related: Why Was Nina Mayster Eliminated From DWTS: The Next Pro?

What dances are AJ and Charli performing?

AJ and Charli were assigned two performances for the finale. Their traditional ballroom number is a Viennese waltz to Golden Hour by JVKE, followed by a freestyle to Bad Man by Pitbull featuring Robin Thicke, Joe Perry and Travis Barker. The freestyle is particularly important because it gives AJ much greater creative freedom than a tightly defined ballroom style.

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That creates two different tests in one night. The Viennese waltz can show whether AJ understands traditional ballroom technique and partnership, while the freestyle can demonstrate whether he has enough originality and television instinct to create the kind of memorable routine expected from a full-time DWTS professional.

Why was Charli paired with AJ Pritchard?

ABC has not publicly explained why each finalist received their particular celebrity partner, so it would be speculation to claim producers deliberately gave Charli to AJ for a specific reason. What is confirmed is that AJ has the most direct experience with this kind of television role because he previously spent four seasons as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing.

That makes his partnership with Charli fascinating regardless of how it was selected. AJ has already taught celebrities before, while Charli has already worked with an elite DWTS professional and won the entire competition. Neither person is entering the partnership without expectations.

It also means Charli can expose weaknesses that a less experienced celebrity might not recognize. If AJ’s choreography lacks detail, if his teaching becomes too rigid or if he fails to showcase his partner properly, Charli has enough DWTS experience for those shortcomings to become obvious.

Is Charli D’Amelio returning for DWTS Season 35?

There is currently no announcement that Charli is returning to compete in Season 35. Her appearance is specifically connected to The Next Pro finale, where she is helping determine which new professional joins the upcoming season.

Charli has remained connected to Dancing with the Stars since winning Season 31 and has spoken positively about how the competition restored her confidence and love of dance. She later credited DWTS with helping lead into other performance opportunities, including her Broadway work.

But tonight’s appearance should not be confused with another celebrity run for the Mirrorball. Charli already has that trophy. This time, she is effectively helping audition the person who hopes to become one of the professionals responsible for guiding the next generation of celebrity contestants.

Why Charli’s return matters for AJ’s chances of winning

Charli may be the most recognizable celebrity partner in the finale, but that does not automatically make AJ’s assignment easier. Her experience means the judges can concentrate less on whether the celebrity simply survives the routine and more on what AJ actually contributes as a choreographer and leader.

That could work strongly in AJ’s favor. His Strictly background means he has spent years performing exactly this type of role, and a polished partnership with Charli would reinforce the argument that he could move directly into DWTS Season 35 without needing additional development. It could also expose the concern judges and other pros have occasionally raised about whether his demanding style adapts easily enough to different personalities.

Charli D’Amelio therefore is not back on DWTS to defend her title or begin another season. She is back because the finale needs someone who understands the celebrity side of the ballroom well enough to help reveal whether AJ Pritchard is truly ready to stand on the other side of it as a professional.