“Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) has extended an invitation to Kai Cenat, one of the world’s leading Twitch personalities, to join the long-running competition show as part of its strategy to recruit social media stars to boost viewership.

Cenat, who recently concluded his “Streamer University” educational initiative, was streaming live from the AMAs when the invitation occurred. The 23-year-old creator, who ranked 24th on Forbes’s list of top-earning creators in 2024 with estimated earnings of $8.5 million, has not publicly responded to the offer.

DWTS Leverages Influencer Appeal

ABC’s dance competition has increasingly relied on social media personalities to drive engagement. The show’s revival began with seasons 32 and 33, which featured reality stars and influencers including Harry Jowsey from “Too Hot To Handle” and Ariana Madix from “Vanderpump Rules.”

“Dancing With The Stars started gaining insane popularity throughout various social media platforms and was the number one trending topic weekly. The reason is because of famous influencers,” a Collider report reads.

Season 33 continued this approach, with professional dancers like Rylee Arnold gaining significant social media followings. Arnold consistently posted behind-the-scenes content, driving fan engagement as viewers followed partnerships and potential romances between contestants.

Ratings Renaissance and Upcoming Season

The strategy appears effective, with the Season 33 finale scoring its best ratings in three years. Variety notes that the broadcast averaged nearly 8 million viewers and a 1.55 rating with adults 18-49, representing a 25% increase in total viewers and a 36% rise in the key demographic. The finale generated 32 million votes for the final teams, breaking multiple voting records throughout the season.

Season 34 preparations are already underway, with social media personality Alix Earle and wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin confirmed as contestants. Earle, 24, commands over 7 million TikTok followers and 4 million Instagram followers. She launched the “Hot Mess” podcast in 2023 and has appeared on Forbes’ Top Creators and Fashion 50 lists.

Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will return as co-hosts for the fall season, which will air on ABC and Disney+ with next-day streaming on Hulu. Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough are set to return as judges.