Massachusetts Native to Guest Judge Next Week on Dancing With The Stars
The Haverhill-born entertainer will join the judging panel during week 9, which celebrates the show’s 20th birthday party theme.
Massachusetts native Tom Bergeron is making a triumphant return to the Dancing with the Stars ballroom next week as a guest judge, marking a special homecoming for the beloved television personality who hosted the show for 15 seasons. The Haverhill-born entertainer will join the judging panel during week 9, which celebrates the show’s 20th birthday party theme.
It’s a fitting occasion for the man who helped define the program’s success from its debut in 2005, and he credits the show’s original showrunner for paving the way for his return. “It feels really good. I’m really looking forward to it,” Bergeron said in an interview with Good Morning America when the news of his brief return was announced.
Bergeron has maintained strong ties to his Bay State roots throughout his career. Just this past June, he returned to Haverhill and shared his visit on social media, praising local entrepreneurs and businesses that have revitalized his hometown. “Great time back in my hometown,” he wrote, highlighting spots like Yoga Tree Haverhill and The Haverhill Studio, demonstrating his continued pride in the community that shaped him.
The guest judging appearance is more than just a nostalgic moment for fans; it’s a celebration of both the show’s milestone anniversary and the enduring legacy of a Massachusetts native. Bergeron himself commented on the show’s remarkable longevity and current success. “I think 20 years of any prime time show is amazing,” he said, jokingly adding, “For a show 20 years old to also be having a ratings resurgence as they are, you’re more likely to see a zebra playing the piano than for that to happen.”
When asked who the frontrunner of the current season was, Bergeron was initially coy, joking, “Oh, I’m not here to tell you that.” However, he did point to a few standout competitors, noting, “I I there are a couple of definite front runners. Yeah, I think when you look at Alex and Robert you have to.” Beyond just technical skill, Bergeron also highlighted a contestant who embodies the spirit of the show for him: “When you look at the heart of the show you look at, you know, Andy… he epitomizes what I always thought the show was at its best. Because technique alone is robotic, but when you bring passion to it, enthusiasm, and just a charming personality, that can make up.”
Born on May 6, 1955, in Haverhill, Bergeron built a remarkable career that includes hosting Hollywood Squares and earning multiple Emmy Awards, all while never forgetting where he came from. His return to the Dancing with the Stars stage promises to be an emotional highlight of the season, bringing together past and present in a celebration that holds special meaning for local viewers who have watched one of their own achieve television stardom.
