2026 DWTS Judges
We are pleased to announce the esteemed judges of the 2026 Dancing With the Stars
Diedre Radler
Deirdre Radler is the owner of National Ballroom Dance Productions, Inc. She has been dancing, competing and teaching Ballroom & Latin dance for over 20 years.  Along with her husband, United States professional ballroom champion Daniel Radler, Deirdre has received multiple national titles. They were featured on the television program “America’s Ballroom Challenge” and have been the recipients of over 150 top teacher and top studio awards.
Lisa Niemi Swayze
A two-time New York Times bestselling author, Lisa has held many film, and television roles and starred on Broadway in Will Rogers Follies. She also wrote, directed, and starred in the film One Last Dance, as well as the six Drama Critic Awarded play, Without a Word. Before turning to acting and directing, Lisa began her professional life as a dancer. In 2011, Lisa was honored with the title of Dame and invested in the Royal Order of Francis I for her work on behalf of pancreatic cancer.
Susan Scannella
Ms. Scannella trained at Pofahl Studios in Gainesville, Florida, and earned a B.F.A. in Theatre from the University of Florida. She enjoyed a 20-year professional career performing in production shows in the Bahamas and Atlantic City, with experience ranging from ballet and jazz to dance and ice-skating productions. She also served as a soloist, line captain, company manager, choreographer, and studio owner. After retiring from full-time performance, she returned to Gainesville as a Guest Artist and Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Florida. She later assisted Twyla Tharp through a Kennedy Center internship and on the Broadway production of Movin’ Out, which received 10 Tony nominations and won three Tony Awards.