Talk about a last-minute call! Fifth Harmony’s own Lauren Jauregui is officially joining the star-studded cast of Dancing With the Stars for its 34th season. But get this: she only found out she was competing a mere two days before the big announcement. Can you imagine the scramble?
Fans got their first peek at this season’s celebrity-pro pairings on Wednesday, September 3, during Good Morning America. That’s where Jauregui, 29, revealed her professional dance partner is Brandon Armstrong. These are the pairs fans will vote for this fall, all hoping to win the coveted Mirrorball trophy. But unlike others who had time to bond, their dance journey is just beginning.
She spilled the beans, saying, "I actually found out I was going to be on the show two days ago." Jauregui explained the tight timeline meant, "Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to get into the studio with Brandon yet, but we’re going to get there."
Even her fellow Fifth Harmony members, Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane, and Normani, were kept in the dark until the very morning of the announcement. "I literally texted them this morning and was like, ‘Hey, girls, just so you know…’," Jauregui joked, giving us a peek into their group chat.
Despite this whirlwind start, the former X Factor contestant is feeling ready. "I’m super excited," she shared on Wednesday. "I’m not scared." That’s the spirit we love to see!
Jauregui isn’t the only familiar face hitting the ballroom. This season’s lineup also includes names like Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles, Robert Irwin, Alix Earle, Baron Davis, Hilaria Baldwin, and Danielle Fishel. Fishel, 44, even backed up Jauregui’s story on her podcast, "Danielle With the Stars," confirming Jauregui joined "totally at the last second."
Fishel told her listeners that because of the late entry, Jauregui missed out on promotional photo shoots and initial rehearsals. Fishel herself had only met the singer "very briefly" when recording her podcast.
Brandon Armstrong Disney/Andrew Eccles
Lauren won’t be the first Fifth Harmony member to hit the DWTS stage. Normani, also 29, danced her way to third place with Val Chmerkovskiy back in Season 24 in 2017. Then, Ally Brooke, 32, competed in Season 28 in 2019, also finishing third with her partner, Sasha Farber.
For those who might not remember, Fifth Harmony rose to fame with five members on The X Factor in 2012. Camila Cabello left the group in 2016, and the band took a break two years later.
The stars aligned recently for Jauregui, Normani, Brooke, and Dinah Jane, 28, who reunited on stage. They performed their hit "Work From Home" during the Jonas Brothers’ "Greetings from Your Hometown Tour" in Dallas on Sunday, August 31.
Jauregui was buzzing after the show, posting on Instagram: "This weekend was crazy! Omg!" She thanked the Jonas Brothers, their teams, and her "girls @fifthharmony! I missed them🥲🫂 … New and special things on the horizon! God is so good! Ahh! Ok, I love you guys, bye." Sounds like a busy and exciting time!
Get ready to see Lauren Jauregui and the rest of the cast light up the dance floor. Dancing With the Stars kicks off on ABC and Disney+ on September 16 at 8 p.m. ET. If you miss it live, new episodes will be ready to stream on Hulu the next day.