| Quick Answer Harry Shum Jr. is a Costa Rican-American actor and dancer best known for playing Mike Chang on Glee, Magnus Bane on Shadowhunters, and Dr. Benson Kwan on Grey’s Anatomy. He’s trending right now because, on 2 September 2026, he was revealed as one of the celebrities competing on Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars, paired with professional dancer Jenna Johnson. The new season premieres on ABC and Disney+ on 15 September 2026. |
If you’ve noticed Harry Shum Jr.’s name popping up everywhere this week, you’re not imagining it. One announcement on live television was all it took to send searches for him shooting up. Here’s exactly who he is, why he’s suddenly a talking point again, and the full list of celebrities joining him on the dance floor this season.
Who Is Harry Shum Jr.?
Harry Shum Jr.: Biography, Career, Movies and Tv Shows
Harry Shum Jr. was born on 28 April 1982 in Limón, Costa Rica, to Chinese immigrant parents, and Spanish was his first language before his family moved to San Francisco when he was six. He trained as a dancer long before he became an actor, which is why his name keeps coming up whenever dance is involved.
Most people know him from one of three roles. He played Mike Chang on Fox’s Glee for six seasons and received four Screen Actors Guild award nominations and one win. He later played Magnus Bane on Shadowhunters and won Male TV Star of the Year at the E! People’s Choice Awards. More recently, he has played Dr. Benson Kwan on Grey’s Anatomy and was a memorable supporting role in the Oscar-winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once. He has also appeared in Crazy Rich Asians, Step Up 2 and 3D, and the Netflix film Love Hard.
Why Is Everyone Searching for Him Right Now?
The short answer is Dancing With the Stars . On 2 September 2026, ABC announced the season 35 cast in a live stream, and the talented Harry Shum Jr. was one of the lucky ones to be invited. He will be dancing with his professional partner Jenna Johnson during the new season.
But the twist is that the actor is trying to dispel one rumor in particular, and his comments in the articles about the cast preview seem to have only fueled the controversy. Shum admitted that he was surprised to be asked to join the show, and he is preparing for months of hard work ahead. As he mentioned in his interview with the press, the dance styles he demonstrated on Glee and in his film roles are nothing compared to what the DWTS competitors have to master. Such candor has made fans even more curious to see how well he will perform during the competition.
Full List of Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Celebrities
Season 35 premieres on 15 September 2026 on ABC and Disney+, with Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returning as co-hosts, and Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli back on the judging panel. Here’s the full celebrity line-up and who they’re paired with.
| Celebrity | Known For | Professional Partner |
| Harry Shum Jr. | Glee, Shadowhunters, Grey’s Anatomy | Jenna Johnson |
| Jenna Dewan | The Rookie, Step Up | Val Chmerkovskiy |
| Julia Stiles | Save the Last Dance, 10 Things I Hate About You | Ezra Sosa |
| Taylor Hanson | Musician, Hanson | Britt Stewart |
| Amber Glenn | Olympic figure skater | Pasha Pashkov |
| Ezra Frech | Paralympic gold medallist | Daniella Karagach |
| Sarah Jane Nader | Reality TV personality | Hailey Bills |
| Jackson Olson | Savannah Bananas baseball player | Emma Slater |
| Tatyana Ali | Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Jan Ravnik |
| Tyler Cameron | The Bachelorette | Sharna Burgess |
| Giada De Laurentiis | Food Network chef and host | Alan Bersten |
| Connor Wood | Comedian and podcaster | Rylee Arnold |
| Guillermo Rodriguez | Jimmy Kimmel Live | Witney Carson |
| Ciara Miller | Summer House | Brandon Armstrong |
| Maura Higgins | The Traitors, Love Island UK | Mark Ballas |
| Conner Leavitt | Reality TV personality | Partner to be confirmed |
That’s a genuinely varied group this year — actors, an Olympic skater, a Paralympic athlete, a musician, reality stars, and even a late-night TV sidekick, all learning the same routines from scratch.
When and Where to Watch
Dancing With the Stars Season 35 premieres Tuesday, 15 September 2026, simulcast live on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available on Hulu the following day.
Key Takeaways
- Harry Shum Jr. is best known for Glee, Shadowhunters, and Grey’s Anatomy
- He’s trending because he was just revealed as a Season 35 DWTS contestant
- He’s paired with professional dancer Jenna Johnson
- Sixteen celebrities are competing this season, including athletes, musicians, and reality stars
- Season 35 premieres 15 September 2026 on ABC and Disney+
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Harry Shum Jr. dancing with on DWTS?
Harry Shum Jr. is paired with professional dancer Jenna Johnson for Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars.
Has Harry Shum Jr. done ballroom dancing before?
Not really. While he’s a trained dancer from his Glee days and film work, he’s said his background is in different dance styles, not competitive ballroom, so DWTS is still a genuinely new challenge for him.
When does Dancing With the Stars Season 35 start?
Season 35 premieres on 15 September 2026 on ABC and Disney+.
Who else is in the DWTS Season 35 cast?
The cast includes Jenna Dewan, Julia Stiles, Taylor Hanson, Amber Glenn, Ezra Frech, Tatyana Ali, Tyler Cameron, Giada De Laurentiis, Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, and several more celebrities across acting, sport, and reality TV.
What is Harry Shum Jr. best known for?
He’s best known for playing Mike Chang on Glee, Magnus Bane on Shadowhunters, and Dr. Benson Kwan on Grey’s Anatomy.
